Heated Deceptions Completed

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(1) Heated Deceptions - Master🥀
heartlessnostalgia
1 - 2 minutes
• Reads 71,880
• Votes 6,318
• Parts 33
Complete, First published Aug 17
Heated Deceptions: A Collaboration Novel written by heartlessnostalgia and

HiroYuu101
How far would you go for the man you love to love you back? For Rylee, she would do
anything--even lie about a pregnancy--for North Alvardo.
***
Rylee Addison Sandoval's longtime crush on her brother's best friend, North
Alvarado, isn't a secret. It's as embarrassing as they come, even pretending to get
lost around the college department just to catch a glimpse of him.
Everyone thinks it's unrequited, even Rylee herself, but one drunk night with North
changes it all. Grabbing an opportunity to have him forever, Rylee tells everyone
she's pregnant with his baby. North is willing to take responsibility for her and
the child, but one problem: there is no child. How long can Rylee's deception last
until North finally discovers the truth? And will love be enough for him to forgive
her...or not?
DISCLAIMER: This story is written in Taglish.
COVER DESIGN: Regina Dionela
All Rights Reserved
Table of contentsLast updated 2 days ago
www.wattpad.com
Heated Deceptions - Foreword - Wattpad

by heartlessnostalgia
4 - 5 minutes
Heated Deceptions
(A Collaboration Novel written by heartlessnostalgia and HiroYuu101)
Genre: Romance
Rylee Addison Sandoval would do everything just to get North Dominic Alvarado, the
man she's in love with. The luck of him loving her back is like that of very thin
line but she's willing to walk in it just to reach the other end. Even if she would
risk falling and hurting in the end.
How far would she go just to keep this fire igniting? Would this innocent young
love turn to heated mistakes, lies and deceptions?
--
Heated Deceptions: A Collaboration Novel written by heartlessnostalgia and

HiroYuu101
How far would you go for the man you love to love you back? For Rylee, she would do
anything--even lie about a pregnancy--for North Alvardo.
***
Rylee Addison Sandoval's longtime crush on her brother's best friend, North
Alvarado, isn't a secret. It's as embarrassing as they come, even pretending to get
lost around the college department just to catch a glimpse of him.
Everyone thinks it's unrequited, even Rylee herself, but one drunk night with North
changes it all. Grabbing an opportunity to have him forever, Rylee tells everyone
she's pregnant with his baby. North is willing to take responsibility for her and
the child, but one problem: there is no child. How long can Rylee's deception last
until North finally discovers the truth? And will love be enough for him to forgive
her...or not?DISCLAIMER: This story is written in Taglish.COVER DESIGN: Regina
Dionela
Message from Comms:
Hello, everyone! I am really thrilled to share this collaboration novel to you!

First time ko talagang makipag-collab and I'm so glad to do it with such a talented
author like Ate Chen! Sobrang nag-enjoy ako while writing this novel. Despite our
busy schedules, I am so happy that we finished it! It is another achievement for
me! I hope you will enjoy this story!
Message from Master:
Hi, Archers and Hiroes! Surprise! We are thrilled to inform you that we are having
a collaboration novel just for all of you! It was such an honor writing with such
great author as Hiro! We had fun in writing and conceptualizing this story, it was
kinda hard doing this one since it is also my first time writing a collab novel but
we made it! We're so proud of this one, an achievement for the both of us. I hope
you'll continue supporting us in this journey! We love you all! This book is for
you.
This book is completed and coming soon! You can follow us on twitter!
@/heartlessN_wp and @/hiroyuu101 and tweet us using the hashtag
#HeatedDeceptionsWP! Thank you!
www.wattpad.com
(1) Heated Deceptions - Prologue - Page 5
8 - 11 minutes
I giggled when I saw the single photo in there with North and I. I was smiling
widely and he was just staring at the camera coldly, halatang napilitan kasi
makulit ako pero hinayaan na lang din ako.
"Ma'am Rylee? Kakain na raw po sabi ni Ma'am!" May katok sa pintuan ko kaya mabilis
akong umayos ng upo at sumagot.
"Opo, palabas na, Ate! Pasabi po saglit lang!" I said.
Nang mawala siya ay dali-dali akong lumabas at inayos ang casual na damit kong
suot. Noong lumabas ako ay medyo nangati ang labi ko kaya kinamot ko iyon. Pababa
na sana ako ng hagdan nang makasalubong ko si Ate Lyn.
"Ate Lyn!" I called excitedly when I saw her holding a tray of food.
"O-oh, Ma'am Rylee! Santisima, anong...anong nangyari sa 'yo?" Nakita ko ang
gulantang sa mukha niya nang makita ako.
"Saan ka, Ate? Sina Kuya? Nasa study? Doon sila kakain?" tuloy-tuloy kong tanong at
napatango-tango siya, mukhang gulantang sa akin.
"Oo, Ma'am," aniya. "Anong nangyari...naka-makeup ka?"
"Opo, ganda ba, Ate?" I smirked and she just blinked.
Mukhang nagdadalawang-isip pa siya kaya nagtaka ako pero tumango sa akin. "O-Oo
naman, Ma'am. Maganda," aniya kaya natuwa ako at kinuha sa kanya ang isa pang tray.
"Tara, 'Te, samahan na kita!" I exclaimed cheerfully at tumango siya at hinayaan

akong sumama.
I was excited and giddy that I almost hummed while walking. Nang marating namin ang
study ay kaagad na binuksan ni Ate Lyn ang pintuan para makapasok kami.
Nauna siya, and then my heart pounded loudly when I took a step inside and
immediately saw the girls in there sitting on the sofa. Kaagad silang lumingon at
nang makita ako ay nanlaki ang mata at biglang natawa.
What was funny?

I immediately saw North at the desk, seryosong inililipat ang page ng libro.
Sa tabi niya ay 'yong babae kanina kaya tumikhim ako at mabilis na nagmartsa
palapit.
"Hi, North! Kain muna!" I said happily before placing the tray on the desk where
they were studying.
The girl lifted her eyes and I saw them widen. Si North ay gano'n din pero nakita
ko ang pagkunot ng noo niya sa akin.
"Si kuya?" I asked, and his eyes landed on my lips before bringing them back up to
my eyes again.
"Nasa kwarto pa si Zoren, nagbibihis yata," the girl answered me, at halos
mapangiwi ako kasi 'di ko naman siya tinatanong pero anyway...bumaling ako kay
North.
"Kain na kayo? Hahatid ko ulit naman mamaya rito ang dessert!" I said and North
just stared at me with his forehead creased. "W-What?"
"What's with your lips?" malamig niyang tanong kaya ngumisi na ako.
"Napansin mo, ah!" I giggled. "Bagay ba, North?"

I heard laughter. Napalingon ako sa likod at natigilan nang makita ang dalawang
babaeng natawa roon.
"A-Ah, Ma'am, una na ako, ah?" Ate Lyn said, at mabilis na siyang nag-evaporate
kaya tinaasan ko ng kilay ang dalawa roon.
"What are you laughing at?" I asked at kaagad silang nagsikuhan habang natatawa
ulit. "What?"
"Ang kapal kasi ng lipstick mo, Rylee. Lagpas pa, marunong ka ba?" the woman told
me and gave me a mocking look.
"Papa-cute na nga lang, palpak pa," bulong n'ong isa pero narinig ko naman.
I froze at that. Mabilis kong nilingon sina North at ang babaeng katabi niya.
The girl looked amused while he was just staring at me intently, walang reaksyon
pero ang mata'y nasa labi ko. Mabilis akong tumingin sa salamin doon at nagulat
nang makitang lagpas ang lipstick ko.
Bigla akong nahiya. My heart ached in humiliation but I managed to place the plates
on the table and grab the tray.
"Ah, darating mamaya 'yong dessert. Kain na kayo," sabi ko at niyakap ang tray bago
walang lingong lumabas.
My heart was heavy when I left the room. Bumagsak ang balikat ko at halos hilain na
lang ang paa para makalakad paalis, hiyang-hiya na nasobrahan ang lipstick ko at
lagpas pa.
I heard the door open pero diretso lang akong naglalakad.
"Let me," I heard a voice say, kaya dali-dali akong lumingon at halos lumuwa na ang
mata nang makita kung sino ang kumuha sa akin ng tray.
"N-North?"
"You left this. Let me carry that," malamig niyang sabi bago inangat ang isa pang
tray, pero natuwa lang ako kaya mas niyakap ko ang tray.
"A-Ako na!" I exclaimed.
"Ako na, it's quite heavy, let me," he said in finality at mas dumilim lang ang
tingin nang hindi ko ibinigay, kaya dali-dali kong inabot.
"H-Here..." I gave it to him at kaagad niya iyong kinuha.
He smelled nice. Mula sa pwesto ko sa kanyang tabi ay kitang-kita ko ang hulma ng

braso at muscles niya kaya nakagat ko ang labi ko. I kept looking at him habang
mabagal kaming naglalakad pero naalala ko bigla ang kahihiyan ko kaya
napabuntonghininga ako.
"Ah, sorry pala..." I started. "Nakakahiyang lumagpas 'yong lipstick ko, napahiya
ka tuloy—"
"Tss, come here," he said, annoyed, kaya sinulyapan ko siya. Nakita kong inilapag
niya sa sahig ang tray at may kinuha sa bulsa.
"H-Huh?"
"Come here," he repeated impatiently kaya nagtataka man ay marahang naglakad ako
palapit.
To my shock, I saw him take his handkerchief. My heart danced erratically when he
moved closer and tilted my chin up.
Para akong sasabog sa kaba at saya nang seryoso ang mga itim na mata'y inilapit
niya ang panyo sa labi ko at pinunasan ang lipstick ko. Mukha siyang iritado pero
malambot ang tingin.
"Ang bata-bata mo pa ang kapal mo na mag-lipstick," komento niya kaya mas napalunok
ako at tinitigan ang matangos niyang ilong at ang pirming mapupulang labi.
"P-Pangit ba?" I asked, pero hindi siya umimik at mukhang dedicated sa pagtanggal
ng kalat lipstick sa labi ko. "North?"
"I'm older than you, kid. Call me 'Kuya,'" aniyang malamig habang marahang
tinatanggal pa rin ang kalat.
"Ayoko nga, hindi kita kuya, ah?" I muttered. "Si Kuya Zoren lang ang kuya ko."
"We're the same age," aniya at hinanap ang mata ko. "What made you think I'm not
like him?"
"Kasi...kasi hindi ba awkward kapag tinawag kitang kuya tapos crush kita?" I asked
straightforwardly. His mouth parted a bit pero kaagad na tumikom muli at tumikhim.
"Quit it," malamig niyang sabi.
"What? Matagal ko naman nang sinabi sa 'yo na crush kita, 'di ba—"
"Don't talk, I'm not yet done with your lips," istrikto niyang sabi kaya ngumuso
ako at hinayaan siyang nakatungo nang bahagya para doon.
We were filled with silence kaya muli akong nagsalita, "North, I like you!"
"No, Rylee," aniyang seryoso at tila napapasong lumayo sa akin bago abutin ang tray
sa lapag. "I don't like you."
"But...why?" I asked and pouted. "Pretty naman ako, I know I'm young pero I'm
mature kaya! I can be a woman too—"
"You're just my little sister," aniyang seryoso kaya umawang na ang labi ko.
"I'd never like you that way, kid."
"But North! I'm not a kid! Look, nag-ayos ako! I'm a lady—" he stopped me by wiping
my lips more.
"And don't put this much lipstick on, you're beautiful even without it, anyway."
Bulong niya, seryoso at tunog iritado pero nagawa niyang patalunin ang puso ko.
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(1) Heated Deceptions - Chapter 1 - Page 3
14 - 17 minutes
#HeatedDeceptionsWP
--
Chapter 1
North Dominic Alvarado was my brother's classmate-slash-bestfriend. Our families
were also friends, and because of that, madalas na pumupunta si North sa bahay
namin to spend time with my brother. And sometimes, our family invited the
Alvarados for dinner and vice versa. Madalas ko tuloy nakikita si North dahil doon.
I had no idea when my feelings for him started. At first, I was just curious about
him. He seemed so quiet and serious while my brother was friendly and a happy-go-
lucky. I was curious as to how such a serious person like him could be friends with
my brother. Their personalities were total opposites.
My curiosity made me watch and observe their friendship, especially when North was
in our house. I wanted to witness how a serious guy and a happy-go-lucky guy could
bond with each other. Gusto kong makita kung paano sila mag-spend ng time—if my
kuya ever felt bored with North or if North felt irritated with my brother's
personality.
Until I realized na si North na lang ang pinapanood ko at hindi na ang friendship

nila.
While watching North, I just became more and more curious about him, at mas
nagiging deep pa ang curiosity ko as time went by.
I let out a heavy sigh as I rested my head on my desk, using my right arm as a
pillow. Wala ako sa mood to do anything today which was so unusual for me.
And my friend, Andrea, noticed it.
"Oh? Bakit mukhang 'di ka yata excited na lunch break na?"

Umayos ako ng upo and she sat on the chair in front of me, body turned to me.
The whole room was busy as some of my classmates were talking about what they were
going to eat for the lunch. Ang iba ay nauna nang lumabas pagka-ring pa lang ng
bell, signaling that it was already lunchtime.
"Wala. I'm just not in the mood." I sighed again.
"Lunch and you're not in the mood? Usually, hinihila mo na ko palabas para, quote
unquote, maligaw sa college department."
"Iyon na nga, e. Quote unquote, naligaw na 'ko sa college department kahapon.
It would be really weird if two consecutive days akong, quote unquote, maliligaw
roon."
"Kahit isang araw lang, weird pa rin naman," she mumbled but I still heard it.
Hindi ko na lang pinansin.
I knew naman na weird ang maligaw ang isang high school student sa college
department unless sasadyain talaga nila! Like what I was doing!
"You don't get it," I said with frustration in my voice that I almost stomped my
feet. "Nakarating kay mommy 'yon. I bet Kuya Zoren told her."
Andrea grimaced. Her expression told me that she understood why I was acting like
this.
"So what now?" she asked. Mukhang nakikiramdam lang siya sa gusto kong gawin.
"I guess we're not going to, quote unquote, maliligaw sa college department today?"
I nodded sadly. "Yeah..."
She jerked her head towards the back door of the room. "So let's go and eat at the
cafeteria na lang?"
I nodded at her. Wala rin naman akong choice kundi ang kumain ngayon. If mom ever
found out that I didn't eat my lunch today, she might get mad at me, then my day
would be totally ruined. Hindi na ko na nga nakita si North, mapapagalitan pa ko ni
mommy.
Sabay kaming tumayo ni Andrea at lumabas ng room para pumunta sa cafeteria ng high
school building. North was probably having his lunch at the college department so
it was really impossible na makita ko siya ngayon.
Bakit kasi kahit ang cafeteria ay magkabukod sa bawat department?! It wasn't like
we were kids that would make a riot around college students!
I sighed at my thought. Yeah...I was thinking nonsense things. I just hope na

pumunta ulit si North sa bahay mamaya para makita ko man lang siya ngayong araw—at
si North lang sana, hindi na kasama ang mga babae kagabi o kahit sino pa 'yan.
It was really a good thing for me that North was a quiet and serious type of guy. I
rarely saw him talking with girls, and that meant less rivals for me.
Kagabi lang talaga ang first time na nakita kong nakikipagusap siya sa isang babae
na gano'n katagal.
"Anong bibilhin mo?" Andrea asked me when we entered the cafeteria. The whole place
was packed with high school students having their lunch.
"I'm not sure... kahit anong mayro'n na magustuhan ko."
Sinusubukan kong tanawin ang food warmer habang naglalakad kami ni Andrea palapit
doon so I wouldn't consume much time thinking of what to buy. Hindi rin ako
magtatagal sa pila kung ngayon pa lang ay makakapili na ako instead of waiting for
my turn, but it was so hard to see when there were so many students around blocking
my view.
I was even tiptoeing while walking and trying to look at the food warmer.
While doing so, someone bumped into me that I almost lost my balance if he wasn't
quick enough to support me and hold both of my shoulders. I was able to catch the
scent of the cologne he used and it was enough to make my mind cloudy with that
scent.
Mabilis akong lumayo sa lalaki and my eyes landed at the most familiar face for me
in the cafeteria na kasama lang n'ong nakabangga sa akin.
"Kuya!" My eyes widened when I recognized who he was. Pagkatapos ay napalingon ako
sa katabi niya, 'yong lalaking nakabangga sa akin—at mas lalo pang nanlaki ang mga
mata ko. "North!"
Oh my gosh? Was this really true? Was I dreaming? Was North really in front of me?
At siya ang nakabangga sa akin at ang may-ari ng panlalaking pabangong naamoy ko
kanina?
Kaya pala amoy pa lang, parang ang gwapo na!
"Finally!" Kuya Zoren suddenly exclaimed, making me look at him. "Tinawag mo na

ring 'kuya' si North!"
I immediately frowned. There was no way I would ever do that! The last thing I
would do was call the man that I liked 'kuya' and be treated like a little sister!
"No way! I was actually looking at you at first before I looked at North!" I looked
at North and tucked my hair behind my ears, waving a hand at him. "Hi, North."
He nodded at me in recognition. "Be careful."
Ramdam ko ang mga pasimpleng pagkurot ni Andrea sa tagiliran ko. It stung so much
but I held it in, kaysa naman mapahiya pa ko sa harapan ng crush ko if I made a
scene!
"Why are you here? This is the high school department's cafeteria."
"Mia wanted a banana pie. Wala sa cafeteria namin kaya rito na kami naghanap." It
was Kuya Zoren who answered pero hindi ko inalis ang mga mata ko kay North na
saglit lang sinulyapan si kuya at ibinalik din ang paningin sa akin.
I could feel my heart starting to beat erratically the longer North stared at me,
but I just couldn't take my eyes off him.
Gosh, this man looked so good and I just wanted to stared at him the whole day!
Hinding-hindi ako magsasawang titigan siya!
"Ah...I thought n-naligaw din kayo, e."
Gosh...Did I just really stutter? That was so lame!
"Ikaw lang naman ang naliligaw from one department to another," I heard one of the
girls behind North say and they even snickered. Pareho sila ng uniform ni Mia so I
guess classmates sila...?
Kanina pa ba sila eo'n? Hindi ko napansin na kasama rin pala sila nina North at
kuya. I was just so busy staring at North that I forgot all the people around us!
"Go and have your lunch, Rylee. Babalik na kami," sabi ni kuya at napanguso na lang
ako.
So my time with North was ending na, huh?
I nodded without taking my eyes off him who was starting to look confused with my
actions. Siguro nagtataka siya dahil kanina ko pa hindi inaalis ang paningin ko sa
kanya.
"Okay!" I said with a bright smile, pero nakatingin pa rin naman ako kay North.
"Alis na. Medyo nakakasawa na kasi mukha mo. Pati ba naman dito sa school, makikita
kita?"
Nawala kaagad ang ngiti ko sa sinabi ni kuya. Napatingin ako sa kanya at

sinimangutan siya. "Back to you!"
How dare he say something like that in front of North?! Parang ako rin naman
nagsasawa na sa mukha niya, ah? Tapos palagi pa niyang kasama si North!
Kuya Zoren just smirked at me. Inakbayan niya si North at isinama sa paglalakad
paalis ng cafeteria.
"Bye, North!" Malaki pa ang ngiti sa mga labi ko habang kumakaway sa kanya, but he
didn't even look at me.
It was fine, at least I got to see him today! He even talked to me kanina and
reminded me to be careful!
The girl named Mia smiled at me when she walked past me, while the two girls with
her eyed me from head to toe. They both snickered after. Hindi ko na lang pinansin.
My smile immediately left my face nang makalabas na ang grupong iyon sa cafeteria.
I looked at my friend, horrified.
"Oh, bakit?" she asked. Halatang-halata siguro ang expression sa mukha ko kaya
mukha rin siyang magpa-panic na para sa 'kin kahit hindi niya pa naman alam kung
bakit ako ganito. "You saw your crush but you don't look so happy."
"Iyon na nga, e." I almost cried out of frustration. "I saw him! With this—"
I pointed at my face. "—Look!"
"Anong masama sa itsura mo?"
"How do I look, then?" I challenged her.
Andrea eyed me from head to toe. "You look..." she trailed off. "...Okay."
"What's with the pause?!" mangiyak-ngiyak kong tanong.
I was now starting to regret why I hadn't gone to the comfort room first to take a
look at myself before going here to the cafeteria. Hindi ko naman gawain ang ganoon
but if only I knew that I was going to see North, then I should've at least made
myself presentable in front of him! I knew that I looked so terrible right now!
Malay ko bang pupunta si North sa cafeteria 'to para lang sa banana pie ng Mia na
'yon?
But then...kung dumaan muna ako ng comfort room kanina, baka hindi ko na rin siya
naabutan dahil paalis na rin sila nang dumating kami. But he still saw me in this
state! Hindi ko tuloy alam kung matutuwa ba ako na nagkita kami ngayon o hindi!
Parang kanina lang malungkot pa ako dahil hindi ko magagamit ang alibi kong
'maligaw' sa college department para makita siya, but now that I saw him, I just
couldn't be happy!
"Rylee...you look fine," Andrea said when she saw that I was in the verge of crying
out of frustration. "Magulo lang ang buhok mo but you still look pretty."
Mabilis akong napahagod sa buhok ko. I tried to straighten it which I immediately

knew was not a good idea. Mukhang ginugulo ko lang ang buhok ko dahil nakikita ko
na mas lalo lang napapangiwi si Andrea sa bawat paghagod ko sa buhok ko.
"I should look beautiful in North's eyes!" I whined. Tinigilan ko na ang buhok ko.
"Did you see those girls with them? They all look beautiful!"
"You're cute, Ry..." Andrea tried to fix my hair getting to my face. She tucked
some of the strands behind my ears. "And that's okay with our age. You don't have
to force yourself to look like them when it's so obvious that they're much older
than you."
"But I want North to find me pretty. I want to grow up quickly so he would stop
seeing me as his little sister."
What North said to me yesterday hurt me so much. Hearing the guy I liked telling me
that I was just like a little sister to him almost made my heart ache. Halos hindi
ako nakatulog dahil doon dahil paulit-ulit na nag-re-replay sa utak ko ang mga
sinabi niya. And my lack of sleep last night just added as to why I looked so
terrible today! I didn't even know if I had those dark circles under my eyes! I
really must've looked so terrible—and North saw me like this!
I mean, I was glad that he was friends with my brother. I got to see him kapag
pumupunta siya sa bahay kaya kahit wala kaming pasok ay nakikita ko pa rin siya. I
bet Kuya Zoren was his closest friend. Palagi ko pa silang nakikitang magkasama
kahit sa school.
But because he was friends with my brother, he saw me as his little sister too.
Hindi ko rin tuloy alam kung magiging masaya rin ba ako na magkaibigan sila ni Kuya
Zoren at madalas ko siyang nakikita o hindi 'cause he was treating me as his little
sister.
Oh no...would North ever like me back? I sighed. He saw me in a terrible appearance

today as well.
"Who are those girls, by the way?" Andrea asked. Pumunta na kami sa pila para
makabili na ng pagkain for our lunch.
"I don't know...but I'm sure they aren't their classmates. They have different
uniforms from North and Kuya Zoren. Mia was wearing a white uniform."
"So they're med students?"

I shrugged. "Maybe?"
"Don't worry, Ry...mukhang wala namang gusto si North sa mga babaeng 'yon."
Nakapila si Andrea sa likod ko so I had to turn around just to look at her.
Nakita ko pa ang babaeng nakapila sa likod niya na mukhang nakikinig sa usapan

namin but I paid her no attention. Mas interested ako sa sinabi ni Andrea!
"You think so?" I asked with a smile, showing my braces.
Andrea nodded.
"Nasa likod ni North at ng kuya mo 'yong mga babae kanina, 'di ba? Hindi man lang
tiningnan ni North, not even a glance, 'yong mga babaeng 'yon. Mas tinitingnan ka
pa nga niya kaysa sa kanila."
Mas lalo pa tuloy lumawak ang ngiti sa mga labi ko. I probably looked like an idiot
right now, smiling so widely like this despite the long line just to buy food.
"North likes me?" I asked then giggled.
Andrea looked at me as if I'd grown a third eye on my face. She looked so confused
and lost at the same time, pero maya-maya ay napailing na lang siya.
"You really have a different way interpreting my words, huh?" she said, almost
laughing. "I didn't mean it like that!"
I just giggled and faced front again. Umandar na ang pila so I had to catch up,
skipping as I walked.
I knew Andrea didn't mean it like that, but it gave me hope. Mas tinitingnan pa ako
ni North kanina kaysa sa mga kasama niyang mga babae! Hindi ko na napansin ang
tungkol do'n as I was busy staring to him as well! So there was a chance that North
likes me too!
It might not be real but I'd make sure that it would come true.
North will like me too.
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16 - 20 minutes
Chapter 2
"Who would have thought, huh?" Andrea said in amazement while watching my
reflection in the mirror.
"Thought what?" I asked. Mula sa repleksyon ay nakita kong abala ang mga stylist sa
pag-ayos ng buhok ko.
"Na dati bangag ka lang tapos ngayon model ka na."
Nawala na ang ngiti ko sa sinabi niya, I heard her chuckling, miski ang stylist ko
ay napatawa roon nang marinig siya.
"Inaaway ka na naman ni Ms. Andrea, Ma'am Rylee..." aniya kaya nailing ako.
I took the perfume bottle from the side and sprayed it on my wrist. "She's bullying
me again, grabe maka-bangag, ganda ko kaya dati?" I raised my brow at tinawanan
lang ako ni Andrea, hinila ang upuan para makatabi sa akin.
"Yes, sabi ko nga noon na...okay lang naman ang itsura mo," she teased.
"Well, actually, I admit na hindi naman ako palaayos noon, ano?" I smiled.
"My braces are gone now and I can do makeup by myself. That's what you call
'glow up', Drea."
"Awww, yabang..." She smirked and elbowed me. Ngumisi naman ako at pabirong
kumindat kaya nagkatawanan kaming dalawa.
Physically, I'd changed. My braces were gone and I learned how to take care of my
body, mag-ayos, and the once shy Rylee slowly faded as I gained confidence. But not
everything changed—the feelings I had for that certain man were still the same
until now.
I think old habits didn't die, huh? It stayed with you. No matter what.
"Ms. Rylee? Take na po!" I heard the assistant call, so I pop out of my seat and
smiled, glancing at her.
"I'm coming!"
Drea tugged my arm. "Uy, gusto ko sanang tapusin itong shoot mo, Ry, kaso my mom
called. I will just accompany her to the salon, is it okay na you'll be alone
here?"
"Okay lang, ano ka ba," I told her gently. "Malaki na ako, hindi na ako kagaya noon
na naloloka kapag mag-isa!"
"Asus, nagsalita ang baby." She pinched my nose. "E, hindi ka pa nga marunong
tumawid sa kalsada!"
My shoulders fell. Bumusangot ako sa kanya pero tinawanan lang ako ng loka-loka at
kumapit sa braso ko.
"Marunong na ako, ano!" I said, but I really didn't. "'Tsaka...palagi kong

tinatandaan 'yong bilin mo noon kapag tatawid."
Ngumisi siya kaya sabay kaming nagsalita, "Tatawid sa pedestrian para may bayad
kapag nasagasaan!" Natawa rin ang parte ng staff na nakarinig.
"Tama 'yan, Ms. Rylee. Ganyan din ang sabi sa akin ng mama ko," ani ng kasama
namin.
Nagpaalam ako sa kanila na ihahatid ko saglit ang kaibigan sa exit at kaagad siyang
natigilan nang makitang malakas ang buhos ng ulan sa labas.
"Will you take a cab?" I asked and she nodded, glancing at her watch.
"Yes." She sighed. "I didn't know it'll rain like this, mabuti na lang at may
sakayan d'yan sa may shed. Kung hindi, paniguradong basa na ako. Ikaw ba?"
"I asked the driver to fetch me later after the shoot kaya ayos na ako, Drea." I
smiled. "Sige, ingat ka sa byahe, pasok na ako."
She kissed my cheek before waving goodbye, and the team immediately prepped me when
I got back, instructing me about what to do for today's shoot.
It was a wardrobe photoshoot for a well-known magazine. The clothes the stylists
chose were placed on the rack—different for every frame.
"Nice angle, Rylee...there you go!" The photographer was all praises for me while I
smile for him, posing naturally, flexing the designs of the clothes I was wearing.
"This is what I love about you, Ry. You pose naturally, walang kahirap-hirap!"
baling niya na tinitingnan ang mga larawan ko na nasa screen kaya napangiti na ako.
"Thank you, A," I said gently. "But I think I should really work on more poses,
don't you think?"
"Yes, maybe, para sa ibang shoot with different themes. Right now, I love the poses
you've been doing—it emphasizes the designs more and you have a pretty angelic
face, probably one of the reasons why the camera loves you, Ry."
Kinalabit niya ang ilong ko. "Bravo!"
Ever since I was young, my mom and I dreamt for me to be a model, kaya kahit noong
wala pa akong pakialam sa sarili ko'y todong ayos siya sa akin. She asked me to put
in braces para pantay ang ngipin ko at maganda, and we often had our derma sessions
that were annoying before. But now I realize they were helpful, lalo na ngayon ay
nasa larangan na ako ng industriya.
"Ma'am, here..." Nagmamadaling tinulungan ako ng staff na magbihis sa panibagong

mga damit at itinaas ang buhok ko.
Meanwhile, I kept on glancing at the window and saw raindrops falling on the glass,
forming mist. Mahal ko ang ulan kapag nasa bahay lang ako pero kapag lumalabas ay
nakaka-stress, lalo na kapag may shoot ako. Madalas pa naman ay binabaha ang sa
main road dito sa may studio kahit kaunting ulan lang.
"Ms. Rylee, tumawag po ang mommy n'yo, naiwan n'yo raw po ang isa sa wardrobe na
pinadala kahapon?"
"Yes," I answered. "But I think it's on the way now, I texted kanina na pakidala
rito."
"Ah," aniya at sumulyap sa phone. "Sige po, hihintayin ko na lang. 'Yon kasi ang
huli mong susuotin bago tayo matapos."
I smiled and gave her my thanks. Muli kaming nagsimula sa shoot habang hinihintay
ang pinadala ni mommy na damit na naiwan ko kanina papunta rito sa shoot.
"Fiercer, Rylee. Give me a fiercer look," the photographer said kaya ikinondisyon
ko ang sarili.
I touched my other shoulder, preparing a proper posture for a pose I wanted to

convey to the camera, my eye expressions turning neutral.
"There, gorgeous!" he exclaimed. Halos masilaw na ako sa sunod-sunod na kislap ng

camera pero nasanay na ako kaya hindi na ako napapapikit kaagad kagaya dati.
"Next pose," he said kaya humawak ako sa baywang at ipinaglayo ang dalawang paa
habang malamig na nakatingin sa camera.
Time passed with me posing, dancing to the beating music inside the studio, and
smiling at the camera.
"Ma'am, dumating na po ang damit!" my stylist called happily kaya bumaling ako sa
kanila.
"Rylee, look here," he called, and I was about to look at the camera when someone
caught my attention.
My body froze when I saw a glimpse of the tall man behind my stylist, walking
towards us.
He was wearing a formal white dress shirt tucked in his black slacks. Malinis ang
pagkakagupit ng kanyang buhok. His jaw was highlighted when the light from the back
touched that beautiful face. His black eyes wandered around and I felt my knees
almost wobbling when they met mine.
My heart skipped a beat, his mouth parted a bit when he licked his lower lip
unconsciously and my throat dried up.
While looking at him walking with his hands in his pockets towards me, I felt like
heaven opened and the angels were singing for me.
"Rylee! What's with you? Wake up!"
The angels singing in my head vanished. Mabilis akong napabaling sa photographer

kong si Adrian na nakatikwas na ang kilay sa akin.
"You okay?" he asked, confused.
I jumped, nodding and muttering, "Yes."

Gulat pa rin ay bumaling ako sa camera at muling inulit ang pose ko, pero medyo
nawala na ang poise ko. I felt like my knees were shaking with the pair of intense
black eyes watching me from the right side, sitting on the plastic chair.
What was he doing here? Siya ba ang naghatid sa damit? Akala ko ba ang driver? Was
he the one who offered help?
Oh my God...could it possible that he fell for me?
"Ano bang tinitingnan mo r'yan sa malayo?" biglang tanong ni Sir Adrian kaya
nilingon ko na siya.
"Y-Yes?"
"Baling-bali na ang ulo mo, Rylee." Tumikwas ang kilay niya. "Ano bang tinitingnan
mo r'yan?" Ibinaling niya ang tingin niya.
"N-Nothing!" I exclaimed loudly pero huli na ako. Nalingon na niya ang pwesto at
kaagad na tumaas ang sulok ng kanyang labi.
"Ah, kaya pala, nand'yan si Dream Boy—"
"Adrian!" I hissed kaya mas natawa na siya sa akin.
Naiiling niyang tinaas ang kamay niya. "North, tara nga—"
Tinakbo ko na siya at kinurot. "Isa..." I hissed kaya mas tinawanan niya ako.
"Bakit?" he whispered. "As if naman hindi alam ng mga tao rito na ayan si Mr.
Dream Boy—"
"Pabebe tayo ngayon!" I hissed at hinawakan niya ang braso ko. Sabay kaming
napabaling kay North na malamig ang tingin sa pwesto namin.
"OMG! OMG! Mukha siyang nagseselos!" I whispered. Nakipagtitigan ako kay North pero
tumaas lang ang isang kilay niya at malamig na bumaling sa phone.
"Ayan, asyumera kang bakla ka!" Halos batukan na ako ni Adrian.
"Tss...mukhang nagseselos kanina, right? Ang lamig ng mata habang nakatingin sa

atin, don't tell me I'm imagining things!" I gasped.
"Boba, malamig naman talagang tumingin 'yang si Hilaga," ngisi niya.
"Hilaga? What?"
"North." Ginalaw niya ang kilay niya kaya bumusangot na ako at pinalo siya.
"Why are you making fun of my baby?" I hissed and ngumiwi siya.
"Maka-baby, may kayo 'te? Wala!" He smirked when my shoulders fell. "Loka, bumalik
ka na roon sa gitna at photographer ako ngayon. Bilis, pronto!
Umuulan at baka maging shokoy ka paglabas!"
Pouting, I went back to the center, glancing at North sitting while scrolling on
his phone.
Adrian turned serious again while doing the shoot. Noong nagsabi siya ng quick
break ay kaagad kong tinakbo ang pwesto niya.
"Hello, North ko!" I said in a singsong voice, at kaagad siyang nag-angat ng

tingin, ang malamig na mata'y nakatitig.
"What?"
"Hmm...bakit ikaw ang naghatid?" I asked, smiling widely. I sat on the chair beside
his habang inaabot ng stylist ang buhok ko para sa final look.
"Zoren asked me, dinala ng mommy mo ang driver sa airport," he said coldly and
glanced at his phone again.
Ngumiti naman ako at nakidungaw. "Ano 'yan—"
"What are you looking at?" Kumunot na ang noo niya at binalingan ako.
"Nakiki-chika lang!" I chuckled. "Sungit naman po, Mr. Alvarado." Hindi siya umimik
kaya muli akong ngumuso. "Last look na lang naman, hintayin mo ako, ah?"
"I'm busy, aalis ako maya-maya," mahina niyang sagot.
"Oh?" I said sadly. "E 'di habang 'di ka pa aalis, nood ka muna?" I smiled.
"I'm going in a bit," sagot niya kaagad.
"E, malapit na rin naman ako matapos," I said. "Sige na, please?"
"I'm not into watching photoshoots, Rylee," aniya at bumaling sa akin.
"Sige na, please?" I asked. "Love mo naman ako, right?"
My heart pounded when I saw his eyes. Unti-unti kong inilagay ang palad sa ilalim
ng baba at ngumiti sa kanya. I watched him dreamily, and if it were possible, I
think my eyes would have a visible heart shapes all over them.
"Dream on, kid." His lips lifted into a sly smile.

"I'm not a kid!" I pouted. "Have you seen me pose? Seducing, right—"
"I think I'm watching a children's photoshoot," he cut me off kaya nahulog na ang
panga ko.
"Boom!" biglang sabi ni Adrian kaya nilingon ko na siya at pinanliitan ng mata.

Natahimik pero natatawa na siya roon.
"Huh, I'll show you I look like a lady! Tingnan mo kasi!" laban ko at nailing lang
siya.
"Brat..."
"What? I am not! Grabe ka sa akin," I whined. "Watch me!"
Competitive ako. Nang matapos akong bihisan sa final look, I was smirking when I
went out of the room and glanced at North. Kumunot ang kanyang noo when he saw me
with a smug look.
"What's with the smirk?" he asked me, mukhang naghahamon pa kaya mas ngumisi ako.
"Wala lang, pinapatandaan ko lang sa 'yo ang itsura ko bago ka ma-in love sa akin,"
I said confidently.
I heard, " Ohhh! " from the crowd kaya ngumiti ako at humawak sa baywang. I flipped
my hair and walked confidently to the center for the last frames today.
Naghahamon ang mga matang bumaling ako kay North doon. I saw the amused look on
Adrian's eyes while glancing at me, almost shaking his head.
"Competitive ka, girl?" he teased kaya ngumisi ako, hinawakan ang dibdib para mas
i-push ang dibdib pataas.
"Ano 'yan?" tawa niya.

"Dibdibang labanan." I winked at tinawanan lang ako habang ini-re-ready ang kanyang
camera.
I was nervous at first, but upon seeing North watching me do a pose now, I felt
more confident. His face had no reaction at all kaya mas na-challenge ako.
"Show him what you got, Ry," ngisi ni Adrian kaya kumindat na ako at hinawi ang
buhok.
Itinapat nila sa akin ang malaking fan para lumilipad ang buhok ko at feel na feel
ko naman. I felt like a model on a runway while tilting my body from side to side,
my eyes fixed at the camera.
I knew he was watching me kaya pasimple akong tumitingin, at nakikita ko siyang

nakasandal sa may pader malapit sa amin, nakahalukipkip at seryosong nanunuod.
He licked his lower lip when he saw me watching. Kumaway ako at kumindat sa kanya
kasabay ng pagtugtog ng nakakaindak na music nang magsabi si Adrian.
"Just enjoy the music, Ry," ani Adrian. "Paibigin mo si Mr. Dream Boy."
I gave him a thumbs-up, and when the music played, I did nothing but enjoy it. It
was a natural thing for me so I smiled while dancing to the music.
The fan blew my hair while I made a twirl and posed for the camera. I could hear
Adrian's praises.
"Make a quick turn, Rylee!" utos ni Adrian kaya tumango ako. I waited for the music
cue and when I heard it, I made a quick yet flawless turn.
Nilipad ang buhok ko. I was flashing a sweet smile at saktong pag-ikot ko ay
nasalubong ko ang mata ni North kaya kumindat ako at nagbigay ng flying kiss.
I saw how stunned he was when I did that. His mouth parted a bit kaya mas napangisi
ako.
"Wala na, na-fall na..." I teased and his eyes widened.
"Dream on," he scoffed and looked away, clearing his throat pero malaki lang ang
ngiti ko.
He was affected by that, obviously. He was affected by me! OMG!
Luckily, matagal yata ang appointment ni North kaya natapos na kami't lahat-lahat
ay naroon pa siya. Tahimik at nakabusangot siya sa pang-aasar ko kaya nakakaaliw.
"Nasiraan daw si manong no'ng papunta rito," I told him while standing side by
side. Nakatayo kami sa may exit at pinagmamasdan ang ulan na bumabagsak mula sa
langit. "Baka naman pwedeng makisabay?"
"I have work, kid," aniya na tumingin sa watch. "And I don't have an umbrella, wait
for him here."
"Pero nasiraan nga raw," I pouted. Sumusulyap ako sa medyo mataas na tubig sa
daanan.
"Nagtawag na ba ng tulong?" he asked, glancing at me kaya tumango ako.
"Oo, pero gusto ko na kasi umuwi—"
"Then take a cab," he said and pointed at the cabs nearby.
"Umuulan, North." I sighed. "And maraming tao, oh? You think I can hail one and—"
"Then wait." Kumunot ang noo niya.
"E, ayaw ko nga mag-wait—"

"Stop bothering me," aniyang seryoso kaya natahimik na ako. "I have work to do,
nautusan lang ako ng kapatid mo kaya ako nandito. If not for him, like hell I'd
ever come here."
I saw the annoyance in his eyes and it pained me. Napalunok ako, marahang tumango,
at sumulyap sa daan.
"Sorry..." I said softly and lifted my face to smile. "Sige, ayos lang. I'll try to
wait for Manong."
I saw something in his dark serious eyes.
"Sa...sa bahay n'yo ba?" aniyang seryoso kaya nagulat ako nang bahagya pero
tumango.
"Yeah," I said and glanced at the cabs. "Sige, pila na lang ako sa mga cab, masakit
na kasi ang paa ko sa heels kaya gusto ko na umuwi."
I turned around to walk but he said, "Wala kang payong, mababasa ka."
"Okay lang, takbo na lang ako," I answered at diretso nang naglakad.
When the cold water from the rain touched my skin, it made me shiver. Dinig ko ang
tawag niya pero hindi na ako lumingon. I walked, muntik pang madulas kaya napadaing
nang bahagya, at napahawak sa paa ko.
I frowned. Umayos ako ng tayo at bahagyang basa na sa ulan ay walang pakialam

sumubok muling maglakad, pero nagitla nang maramdaman ang pag-angat ko sa ere.
"W-What..." My eyes widened dramatically when I was carried bridal style and I met
his serious black eyes.
"N-North?" My voice almost faded.
"Ihahatid kita," aniyang seryoso at walang pasabing tinakbo ang sasakyan niya
habang buhat ako sa kanyang braso.
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6 - 7 minutes
"O, Rylee. Bakit?"
I didn't say anything. Nilapitan ko siya nang may malaking ngiti sa mga labi.
Nakita kong nagsalubong ang mga kilay niya dahil doon. "What is it? You're scaring
me."
"Are you tired? Do you want me to massage you?"
His frown deepened. "Huh?"
Itinulak ko siya papunta roon sa one-seater sofa sa loob ng kwarto niya at pinaupo
siya do'n.
My brother looked really confused by my actions. Nakikita ko ang kalituhan sa mga

mata niya habang sinusundan ako ng tingin pero wala akong sinabi at pumwesto lang
sa likuran niya. I started massaging his shoulders.
"Aray! Fuck—" reklamo niya agad kahit nagsisimula pa lang ako.
He struggled to free himself from my grip but I wouldn't let him hanggang sa
hinawakan niya ang dalawang pulsuhan ko para alisin ang mga kamay ko sa balikat
niya at tumayo.
"What's with you?" he asked. I almost laughed at the expression on his face!
"Bakit bigla-bigla ka na lang nagmamasahe d'yan, e hindi ka naman marunong?"
"I just wanted to thank you and this was the only way I could think of,"
depensa ko.
"Thank me? Pinapatay mo yata ako, e!"
Napanguso ako at sinimangutan siya. He was so ungrateful! Siya na nga mina-massage,

siya pang may ayaw.
Hinawakan niya ang balikat niya and rolled them. Mukha ngang nasaktan pa siya sa
pagmamasahe ko.
"Ano bang mayro'n at gusto mong magpasalamat?" he asked. Dumadaing siya habang
hinihilot ang sariling balikat.
"Because of what you did today!" I smiled widely. "I saw North."
"Ah, oo," walang gana niyang sabi. "Walang ibang magdadala sa 'yo kaya nakisuyo
ako. Bakit ba kasi iniwan mo?"
"Nakalimutan ko kasi. Anyway, because of you, I got to experience that moment with
him!"
I saw him still. Napatigil siya sa paghihilot sa balikat at ibinaba ang mga kamay.
Seryoso pa siya nang tumingin ulit sa akin. "Bakit? Anong nangyari?"
I decided to ignore his serious gaze and tone. Mas lalong lumawak ang ngiti ko sa
kanya.
"North carried me bridal style, Kuya!" I almost squealed.
He frowned in confusion. "Huh? Bakit naman bubuhatin ka niya nang gano'n?"
"E kasi umuulan kanina. Madulas 'yong daan and I was wearing my heels din kasi.
Muntik na 'kong madulas, so North carried me 'til we got to his car.
Siya pa nga ang naghatid sa akin pauwi."

Nakita kong bumaba ang tingin niya sa paa ko. Nawala ang pagkasimangot sa mukha
niya at napalitan iyon ng pag-aalala.
"How's your feet?" he asked. Concern was evident in his voice.
"My feet are okay. You should be asking about my heart!"
Bumalik ang pagkalito sa mukha niya nang muli akong tiningnan. Gusto ko na ngang
tawanan! "What's with your heart?"
I dramatically put a hand over my chest, where my heart was. I looked dreamily up
at the ceiling, imagining I was looking at North. Napansin ko pang napatingala din
si Kuya Zoren sa tinitingnan ko.
"North just made me fall in love with him even more."
Tiningnan ko si Kuya Zoren at nakita kong hindi niya nagustuhan ang sinabi ko. He
had this very serious look on his face. Minsan ko lang siyang makitang may ganitong
expression sa mukha—iyong kapag hindi niya talaga nagugustuhan ang ginagawa ko.
"Itigil mo 'yan, Rylee. You can't have feelings for him."
I frowned. He warned me about this before. Naalala kong sinabi niya rin sa
'kin na tigilan ko daw ang pakaka-crush ko noon kay North. Hindi ko lang
maintindihan kung bakit pinagbabawalan niya 'ko when North was his best friend!
Was he afraid that North would hurt me? Alam niyang 'di 'yon gagawin ni North.
"It's too late, Kuya. I am already in love with him," I said and even smiled at
him.
I noticed him clenching his jaw. He was angry pero pinipigilan niya lang ang
magalit sa akin. I didn't even do anything wrong!
Kuya Zoren took a deep breath, at parang sa paraan na iyon ay pinapakalma ang
sarili. Nang tumingin sa akin ay nandoon pa rin ang kaseryosohan sa mga mata.
"You can't fall in love with North, Rylee. Huwag sa kaibigan ko."
Sinimangutan ko siya. Now, I was regretting massaging him earlier! Ibalik niya ang
effort kong magmasahe sa kanya!
"I told you it's already too late!" I said, almost stomping my feet out of
frustration. "Bahala ka na nga! Sana pala hindi na lang ako nagpasalamat sa
'yo. You ruined my day, Kuya!"
I walked out of his room, feeling so much irritation. I shouldn't have waited for
him! Nasayang lang ang oras kong dapat ipinahinga ko na lang sana!
I should stop my feelings for North? That was impossible. Just totally impossible.
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Heated Deceptions - Chapter 4 - Page 6
20 - 25 minutes
Chapter 4
"What is it you're doing in here this time?"
A whisper in my ear made me jump. Immediately, I took a step forward, tilting my

head, only to see a familiar pair of eyes looking at me.
"North ko..." I said, almost in a whisper. Napalunok ako nang marahas habang
pinagmamasdan siya at doon din natantong magkalapit ang mukha naming dalawa.
"Kuya North," he corrected. Napapikit ako nang pitikin niya ang noo ko at lumayo.
"No, North lang!" I stomped my feet, glancing up at him while watching him with his
brows furrowed.
"I'm older than you, Rylee—"

"Age doesn't matter in love," I explained, raising my finger as if I were lecturing
him.
He just shook his head, brushed his black hair with his fingers, and licked his
lower lip kaya mas namula iyon. "How can you say that? You're too young to even
think that way." He shook his head again. "You still don't know a thing about
love."
I stared at him standing in front of me. He looked athletic—hapit sa kanyang

katawan ang suot na puting uniporme, malinis ang gupit ng buhok, at seryoso ang mga
mata.
"What? Sige nga, what's love for you?" I challenged him at nakita ko ang pagkunot
ng noo niya.
"What?"
"I said, what is love for you?" I repeated at biglang tumaas ang sulok ng labi
niya.
"What is this, huh? A slambook? Bata ka pa talaga, tanungan mo pang-elementary."
"Excuse me? Do I look like a kid to you?!" Hinawi ko ang buhok at humalukipkip.
"Look at me, do I look like a kid? I'm a grownup, you see. I was asking you about
love kasi 'di ba adult ka na? Mukhang maalam ka na sa love, sige nga, what is love
—"
"Love is blind," aniyang seryoso kaya bigla akong natawa.
"Love is like a rosary full of mysteries?" ngisi ko. "Ikaw nga itong pang-
elementary ang sagot! Feeling ko talaga mahilig ka sumagot ng slambook—"
"You should go, may klase pa ako," he said dismissively. Mabilis siyang tumalikod
pero nahila ko siya.
"Wait lang kasi!" I pouted, softly pulling his arm kaya napaharap siya sa akin.
"What do you need?" aniyang seryoso.
"Usap muna tayo, break mo ngayon, 'di ba?" I smiled while saying that at mas
kumunot ang noo niya at umawang ang labi. "And yes, I have kuya's schedule,
'di ba same kayo?"
"You..." His mouth parted unbelievably. Halos mapangiwi na ako nang pitikin niya
ang noo ko. "Are you a creep? Anong ginagawa mo rito sa college department?"
"I am not a creep, ah!" I pouted. "Atsaka naligaw nga kasi ako—"
"Yeah? It's your fourth time getting lost here. Naligaw, my ass. Wala kang maloloko
rito, Rylee." Halos itaboy na niya ako. "Go back to your department, the guard will
take you to the guidance if he sees you."
"Hindi naman niya ako makikita, e." I smiled.
"Hindi?" He scoffed. "Then I should call your brother—"
"No!" I exclaimed, pouting. "Please don't! Come on, gusto ko lang naman
makipagkwentuhan sa 'yo, bawal ba?"
"Wala ka bang kaibigan?" aniyang mukhang naiirita na. "You have that girl.
What's her name?"
"Andrea," I answered. "Kaso busy siya, may ginagawa siyang activity kasi absent
siya yesterday kaya 'yon, alone ako. Hindi ka ba naaawa? Nag-ikot nga lang ako kasi
wala akong kasama, malay ko bang maliligaw ako rito."
He eyed me like I was a kid joking. "Wow, should I believe that?"
"Oo!" I smiled widely. "Come on, 'di ka ba naaawa sa akin? I just want to be with
someone during lunch. Alam mo namang mas gusto kong may kasama 'di ba?"
"Then you should call your brother." I saw him take his phone kaya suminghap na ako
at ibinaba ang kamay niya.
"Huwag!" I gasped. "Please don't, papagalitan lang ako ni kuya. Please? Ikaw na
lang!"
He stared at me seriously. I saw the hesitation in his eyes kaya mas ngumiti ako at
ikinurap ang mata.
"Please? Please?" I said, pinagsasaklop ang kamay. "I promise I'll be a good girl!
Tahimik lang ako, promise."
Mariin ang kanyang naging titig sa akin, tila pinag-iisipan pa ang desisyon.
Kaya nang bumuntonghininga siya at napahawak sa batok ay halos mapatili ako sa

kilig.
"Alright." Mukha pa siyang napipilitan.
"Yes!" I said happily.
"Okay!" I smiled widely at naiiling na ipinasok niya lang ang kamay sa kanyang
bulsa at naglakad.
Quietly, afraid he'd kick me out, I followed him. Nangingiti ako at malakas ang
kalabog ng puso. He was just like that, tahimik at medyo masungit, kabaliktaran ng
ugali ng kapatid ko, but he was a gentleman and a really good man! Kaya nga love na
love ko 'yan!
Naglakad kami sa direksyong patungo sa may field ng university. I saw him looking
around to see if someone would spot us here kaya todo tago naman ako sa kanyang
likod.
"What are you doing?" he asked, dinudungaw ako sa kanyang balikat kaya kumapit ako
sa kanyang uniporme.
"Wala bang...makakakita sa akin dito?" I asked. "Nagtatago lang naman ako, North
ko."
"Then you shouldn't have come here, natatakot ka pala—"

"Sino nagsabing natatakot ako? Hindi, ah!" I said in a loud voice, lumayo sa kanya
bago tumayo sa gilid niya para ilahad ang kamay. "Nandito ako! Guys—"
A large palm covered my mouth. Halos mahulog ang puso ko nang masalubong ang
seryoso niyang mata nang humarang siya at dumukwang.
"The hell are you doing?!" he hissed in a low, annoyed voice.
Hindi naman ako makapagsalita dahil ang palad niya ay nasa labi ko.
"North? Sino 'yang kasama mo?" a soft voice asked, and I heard North cursing under
his breath, pushing me towards a tree behind us. At nang tumama ang likuran ko roon
ay inangat niya ang kamay mula sa pagkakatakip sa labi ko sa uluhan ko.
"North?" I heard the girls call again.
"North..." I whispered and he threw me a sharp glare.
"Don't talk," aniyang seryoso at suminghap lang ako nang idikit niya ang katawan sa
akin, tila itinatago ako sa kung sinong mga babae roon kaya napahawak ako sa
uniporme niya at dumikit sa kanyang dibdib.
"What is it?" his full and manly voice vibrated in my ear from his chest. He tilted
his head to look behind him.
"Sino 'yang kasama mo?" the girl asked again at mas kinabahan lang ako.
"Baka...girlfriend?" another woman's voice spoke and I heard a bit of commotion.
"Mia?" tanong nila sa kung sino at akmang sisilip ako'y mas pinirmi lang ako ni
North kaya hindi na ako nagsayang ng oras para dumungaw.
"Uh...North, g-girlfriend mo?" I think mga kaibigan ito nina kuya? 'Yong kasama
niya. "North?"
"Yeah..." North's cold voice filled my ear, and the pace of my heart quickened
hearing that.
"R-Really?" tanong ulit ng babae.
"Yes, Mia," aniyang seryoso. "Will you please give us some privacy? We'll just
talk."
"O-Okay...we gotta go," sagot ng huli.
Ilang sandali ay nawala na ang komosyon. Nang lumayo sa akin si North ay napahawak
ako sa dibdib ko at hinanap ang mata niya.
"What was that?" I asked in a low, amused voice.
"I was just saving you, kid," he answered, looking away from me but I caught how
his cheeks flushed.
"Weh?" My smile widened. "Girlfriend mo ako? Talaga ba, North ko?!"
"No..." He looked at me, glaring.
"Ows?" I reached for his cheek, poking it. "Amin na, nagba-blush ka nga, e—"
"I said no," he said, his brows almost meeting each other. "May...may iba akong
gusto."
"Sino? Ako?" tawa ko, at nang mag-iwas na siya ng tingin at alisan ako ay napasigaw
na ako at hinabol siya.
"North ko, wait for me!" I exclaimed, clinging to his arms when I reached him kaya
iritado niya akong nilingon.
"I said I like someone else," aniya at hindi ako naniniwala pero ngumisi ako.
"E 'di iba..." ngisi ko pa. "Kunwari naniniwala ako."
"Rylee Addison!" His irritated voice filled my ear pero sinuklian ko lang iyon ng
matamis na ngiti at kindat.
Memories were sweet, lalo na kapag kasama rito ang mga taong may mahalagang parte
sa buhay mo. It had been years since I met North and I might grow up, but some
things didn't...just like my heart, my feelings for him.
It stayed. My feelings for him didn't fade, they just strengthened as time went by.
"Ma'am Rylee? Nasa meeting pa po si Sir Zoren, pasok na lang daw po kayo sa
opisina," kuya's secretary told me kaya napatayo ako sa inuupuan ko.
"Matagal pa ba si kuya, Miss?" I asked.
"Siguro po mga thirty minutes pa, sa opisina po muna kayo maghintay, Ma'am.
Ano pong gusto n'yo, tea or juice?"
"Ah, no, Miss," I answered. "Iikot na lang muna ako rito, pwede naman, 'di ba?"
"Opo," she answered me kaya tumango ako at inikot ang tingin nang biglang may
naisip.
"You know...may pinapasabi kasi si kuya kay North, e. Saan nga ulit ang office
niya?"
"Urgent po ba? Ako na lang ang magsasabi—"
"No!" I exclaimed and she looked confused kaya bumawi ako. "Uh...personally ko raw
kasi dapat sabihin...? Hinihintay ko siya kaso may meeting kaya puntahan ko na
lang...?"
Tinitigan niya ako at ipinakita ko naman sa kanyang seryoso ako kaya tumango siya.
Pumunta siya sa computer para magtipa at napangisi ako nang ibigay niya sa akin ang
maliit na papel, direction kung saan ko makikita si North.
Of course...I was so happy and excited, nagtungo pa akong banyo para suklayan ang
buhok at maglagay ng kulay sa pisngi at labi para mukhang fresh at maganda. Inayos
ko ang suot kong jumpsuit at nang makontento ay 'tsaka lang umalis.
Everyone I saw inside the company building greeted me upon recognizing me.
Hindi na rin naman nakakagulat dahil si Kuya Zoren at North ay hindi lang basta
mag-best friend simula noong high school, our families were friends with each other
too, and their bond was strengthened because of our real estate business.
I fell for North when I was still in high school and he came to our house as my
brother's friend. They had a strong bond together na halos magkapatid na ang dalawa
dahil sa bahay na minsan natutulog si North kapag may tinatapos sila ni kuya at
gano'n din ang huli.
Mabait siya, medyo may pagka-attitude nga lang at tahimik, pero ayon nga ang naka-
attract sa akin sa kanya!
For years, I had a crush on him. Akala ko noon ay simpleng crush lang at gusto pero
natanto kong iba na pala, mas malalim dahil wala akong interes sa kahit sinong
lalaking nagtatangkang manligaw o magbigay sa akin ng interes.
If it wasn't North, then I didn't think there would be anyone else.
When I stepped into his new office, I was thrilled. Kaagad akong kinawayan ng
kanyang secretary kaya matamis akong ngumiti.
"Hi, Minzy! Si North?" I asked.
"Hello, Ma'am Rylee. Nasa loob po," she answered me. "Napadaan kayo, Ma'am?"
"Ah, may sasabihin lang sana kay North, anong gawa niya? Can I come in?"
tanong ko.
"Uh, kasi..." She awkwardly smiled. "Nand'yan po si Ma'am Mia."
"Mia?" I asked, but then I remembered who that was.
Mia Santiago, ang kaibigan ni kuya iyan noon pa. Ibang department naman 'tong babae
pero palagi nilang kasama. Ang sabi ni kuya ay kasama nila ito sa ibang minor
subjects but still...
"Why is that? Business?" I asked, nosy. "May meeting ba sila? Nagpa-schedule?"

tuloy-tuloy kong tanong.
"Ay, hindi po. Bigla na lang dumating, ni hindi nga po nagsabi sa akin at diretso
na sa loob. Pipigilan ko nga po sana kaso sabi ni Sir North na ayos lang."
I felt a weird bitterness inside when I heard that.
Until now?
"Girlfriend niya yata," sambit niya na parang biglang naisip.
"No!" I said in conviction kaya hinarap na niya ako.
"Ay, hindi ba, Ma'am?" she asked me curiously. "Kasi napapansin ko madalas siya
rito..."
"Hindi 'yan," I insisted. "Matagal na niyang kaibigan si Mia, hindi niya 'yan
magugustuhan. They're just good friends," I said at napatango siya.
"Baka nga..." sagot niya. "Hindi mo ba kilala ang girlfriend, Ma'am?"
"Kilala," I answered proudly with a smile.
"Sino po?" kuryoso niyang tanong.
"Ako," I said confidently, at nang namilog ang mata niya ay ngumisi ako.
"Secret lang kasi, Minzy. Shy type kasi 'yang si North ko, 'tsaka magagalit si kuya
kapag nalaman niya."
Natigilan lang kaming dalawa nang bumukas ang pinto. The familiar woman was stunned
upon seeing me. She was wearing a floral short dress and pumps, looking
professional and beautiful.
Sinulyapan niya ako mula ulo hanggang paa kaya umayos ako ng tayo.
Aba't hindi naman tayo papakabog at model kaya ito!
"Good afternoon, Mia," I greeted her with a smile, and she frowned but slowly
nodded, flipping her hair a bit.
"Good afternoon," sagot niya at nag-iwas ng tingin, taas-noong nilagpasan ako kaya
halos mapasinghap ako.
Maldita naman!
Anyway...it was okay. Gano'n naman talaga iyon, tahimik pero may pagka-intimidating
kaya hinahayaan ko na.
"Minzy, how do I look?" I asked with a smile.

"Maganda, Ma'am!" She smiled. "Sobra! Bagay na bagay sa 'yo maging modelo!"
"Talaga?" I giggled. "Mai-in love kaya lalo nito sa akin si North?" I asked
cheekily.
"Ay naku, baka pakasalan ka kaagad!" sabat niya kaya nanlaki ang mata ko.
"Talaga ba?!" I exclaimed excitedly, and when she nodded ay napatili na ako at
tumalon. Naghawak kami ng kamay na parang sinilihan doon at tawang-tawa siya.
"Oo, Ma'am," she answered.
"Dahil d'yan, lilibre kita ng food, Minzy! Saan mo ba gusto—"
"What's with the noise?"
Sabay naming nilingon ang pintuan ng opisina at nakita ko si North na kumunot ang
noo nang makita ako. "I knew it," aniya at akmang isasara ang pintuan nang humabol
ako.
"North ko, baby! Hi!" I said, mabilis na iniharang ang kamay bago niya maisara pero
naipit kaya dumaing ako.
"Ow..."
Nakita ko ang mabilis niyang paglingon. Isang tulak ng pinto at hila sa akin ay
hawak-hawak na niya ang pulsuhan ko.
"I'm sorry, are you okay?" he asked, staring at my hand, at hindi naman talaga siya
sobrang sakit pero nang nilingon niya ako at nabakas ko ang pag-aalala sa mata niya
ay pumikit ako at ikinunot ang noo.
"O-Ow...sobrang sakit, naiiyak ako..." I said in the weakest voice I could muster,
and he cursed under his breath, slowly pulling me closer until I was seated on the
couch.
"Shit, I'm sorry," he said in a low voice. "Ikaw kasi, why did you reach out with
your hands?"
"Kasi...sasarhan mo ako, e," sagot ko sa malambot na boses at napamura siya.
"Tss...you could've followed me instead, bakit kailangan pang humarang ka ro'n?

Look at you now! Naipit ka pa!" he scolded. "You're so reckless, paano kung
napalakas ang sara ko, e 'di putol 'yang kamay mo?!"
I stared at him, meeting dark, annoyed eyes. I didn't see him like this often,
pwera na lang kung may ginagawa akong kalokohan kaya ngumuso na ako.
"Sorry..." I said. "Galit ka?"
He stared at me, and I saw how the annoyance on his eyes vanished as he shrugged,
sighing.
"No. I'm sorry." Unti-unting umakyat ang kanyang daliri sa palad ko. "I was just
worried, ang kulit mo kasi."
"Gusto ko lang naman kasing humabol, sasarhan mo ako, e."
"I wouldn't have locked the door, pwede mo namang buksan na lang ulit. Why did you
have to run after it and slide your hand in that way? Ngayon, nasasaktan ka."
"Kasi nga sasarhan mo ako, 'tsaka paano ko masisiguradong hindi mo ako la-lock-an
ng pinto?"
"I'd never lock the door for you, Rylee," seryoso niyang sagot kaya namilog ang
mata ko.
He cleared his throat afterwards. Nakita ko ang pag-iwas niya bago ibinaba ang
kamay ko sa hita ko at tumayo.
"North..."
"Stay there," aniya at pumasok sa banyo sa opisina niya.
I stared at my reddish fingers. Mahapdi iyon kanina no'ng unang tanggal ko sa

pagkakaipit pero nawala ang sakit no'ng hawakan niya ang kamay ko.
I smiled, bumaling ako sa opisina niya at namangha sa ka-simplehan nito pero

mukhang malinis at elegante.
Magkakahalo ang kulay ng itim, krema, at puti. May itim na bookshelf sa isang gilid
at sa mahogany table niya ay ang umpukang mga papel at gamit. Sa likod ng swivel
niya ay ang kulay itim na coat.
Sa likod nito ay ang salaming pader, at mula sa couch na kinauupuan ko ay kitang-

kita ko ang matatayog na buildings na naroon sa ibaba, overlooking the city.
"Wow..." I said in amazement, imagining how hot he'd look reading his documents
while seated on his chair, seryoso.
"Give me your fingers," aniya nang maupo sa tabi ko, at may inilapag sa lamesa kaya
sinundan ko iyon ng tingin.
To my amazement, I saw a medicine kit on the table. May kinuha siya roon bago
hulihin ang kamay ko at inilapit iyon sa bibig niya.
"Mahapdi?" he asked me seriously and I nodded nonchalantly kahit hindi na.
"Oo...ow..." ngiwi ko. "Super sakit, e."

He eyed me, as if observing my face, pero nagpaawa lang ako at mukha namang
nakumbinse ko siya. He blew on my finger at halos kilabutan ako sa pag-ihip niya.
Ang dibdib ko'y halos magwala na.
I got the chance to stare at his handsome face because of our closeness. I could
smell a whiff of his cologne, and the way his red lips protruded as he blew on my
fingers was tempting.
Our shoulders touched. Hinaplos niya ang daliri ko at napatikhim ako.
"I'm in love with you, North," I said again, like it was natural for me to say that
and he shifted his gaze to me. Dahil nga sa magkalapit ang katawan naming dalawa ay
halos magdikit na ang mukha namin.
I felt the warmth of his breath reaching the tip of my nose. My mouth parted when
our eyes met, and the intensity and emotions were there...just that he was doing
his best to hide it.
"Gusto kita, simula noon, hanggang ngayon," I told him.
His gaze dropped from my eyes to my lips. His Adam's apple moved harshly and I
scooted my body closer to his. Our noses touched, humigpit ang hawak niya sa kamay
ko, pero hindi naman inilayo ang katawan kaya nagkalakas ako ng loob na idampi ang
labi ko sa kanya.
It was just a smack and I felt him freeze. Ni hindi niya ako itinulak kaya muli
akong lumapit para magpatak ng mas malalim na halik at ramdam ko ang paglalim ng
hinga niya.
He didn't kiss me back but it was okay. I moved my lips gently against his until we
heard a knock on the door.
"Ma'am Rylee, tapos na raw po ang meeting ni Sir Zoren."
It was as if I woke up from a deep slumber. He pushed me, at tila napapasong lumayo
at tumayo kaya napasinghap ako.
"North..."
"Get out," aniyang seryoso kaya umawang ang labi ko.
"You...you didn't push me, does that mean—"
"I said get out!" His voice thundered kaya kinabahan na ako. Pumikit siya nang
mariin at sinuklay ang buhok ng daliri.
"But what about..."
"That didn't happen, forget about that," seryoso niyang tugon kaya
napabuntonghininga ako at inabot ang bag ko na nasa sofa.
Tahimik ako sa biyahe namin ni kuya pauwi, hinahaplos ang labi, iniisip pa rin ang
halik na iyon na pinagsaluhan namin kanina.
He did not stop me! He let me kiss him! Did that mean...
"Ano na namang ginawa mo sa loob ng opisina ni North, Rylee Addison?"
seryosong tanong ni kuya kaya sinulyapan ko siya.
"Nothing, I just said hi," sagot ko.
"Huwag mo nang guluhin ang tao, Rylee," he muttered. "Abala 'yon at may deadline
kami, sabi ko kasi sa 'yong maghintay na lang sa akin sa opisina."
"Kuya, North likes me," I said, and his grip on the steering wheel tightened,
looking at me sideways.
"Come on, Ry, ito na naman ba tayo? Not North, please." He sighed. "There are a lot
of boys around you, right? Go after them, mas babagay iyon sa 'yo."
"Why not North?" I asked. "And whatever you say won't work on me now, Kuya.
It's too late, I like him a lot."
"Hindi ka gusto ng kaibigan ko," aniyang seryoso kaya iritado ko na siyang hinarap.
"Aray ko, Kuya, ah? Ano ba 'to? Parang 'di tayo magkapatid, ah?!"
He smirked, shaking his head. "I'm just waking you up from your childish dreams,
Ry. Not North, I know him. He might just hurt you, huwag mong ipilit at iba ang
gusto ng tao."
But he let me kiss him! Imposibleng 'di niya ako gusto.
"He likes me," I said with finality.
"No," he answered. "He's in a relationship with Mia, I think."
Doon na tumigil ang mundo ko, lumalim ang gatla sa noo ko habang nakikinig.
"W-What?"
"He likes Mia," aniyang seryoso, at nakita ko rin ang pagdidilim ng mata.
"They're in a relationship, Rylee, so don't push your feelings. Ayokong masasaktan

ka."
I noticed the bitter tone in his voice pero hindi ko na pinuna sa dami ng iniisip
ko.
"But..." What about what happened earlier?

"Let it rest, little sis. Not North. Don't," aniya. "He...likes Mia and she
probably likes him too."
No...I wanted North. I loved him!
I couldn't think straight. I felt so lost and I didn't know why but...a foolish
thought clouded my mind, not even thinking that I might regret it in the end.
www.wattpad.com
23 - 29 minutes
Chapter 5
I was feeling down until the end of the day. I was in my room, already wearing my
pajamas and ready to go to sleep, but I couldn't do so. Hindi ko na rin mabilang
kung ilang beses na akong nagpakawala ng buntonghininga.
The sadness was so overwhelming na kahit ang pagtulog ay hindi ko magawa. I just
couldn't take my mind off what happened earlier. Sinusubukan kong kalimutan,
pakiramdam ko kasi ay maiiyak ako anytime, pero ayaw talaga mawala sa isip ko 'yon.
I finally got to kiss North! He didn't push me away nor refuse my kiss. I was so
happy thinking that North might really have feelings for me until Kuya Zoren ruined
my day.
Ilang beses ko ring sinubukang sabihin sa sarili ko na he might be wrong. But that
was Kuya Zoren. He was North's best friend.
Sighing for the nth time, I decided to Facetime Andrea. I wanted someone to talk to
about what happened earlier.
"Ry? Anong mayro'n?" bungad niya agad pagkasagot ng tawag. It was funny. Alam na
alam niyang may nangyari dahil tumawag ako nang ganitong oras, but I was feeling so
down to even laugh right now.
I sighed. "It's just...it's about North."
"Sabi na e." She even snapped her fingers when she said that. Napasimangot ako.
"Oh? Ano na namang nangyari this time? Mukhang hindi maganda base sa
pagkakabusangot ng mukha mo."
I slightly pouted. "I kissed North."
Tiningnan ko si Andrea but she didn't say anything. I frowned. Was my connection
shaky? She wasn't even moving.
When she blinked, I confirmed that she just wasn't moving. Baka siguro nagulat lang
sa sinabi ko kaya hindi nakapag-react agad.
"What?" she asked. Hindi niya narinig?

"I kissed North," ulit ko. She blinked again and I realized that she heard me the
first time. Nagulat lang yata talaga.
"Nananaginip ka ba, Rylee?"
Napasimangot ako. What? She thought I was dreaming right now?
"I'm telling the truth, Andrea! I kissed North earlier! And he didn't even push me
away!" I frustratedly combed my hair using my fingers but the strands fell back
down to my face.
Tinitigan ako ni Andrea at walang kahit na anong sinabi. Mas lalo kong naramdaman
ang frustration. What I needed was a friend that I could talk to, and not someone
who'd doubt my words!
Andrea sighed. Mukhang nakita niya ang pagiging frustrated ko at ang katotohanan sa
sinabi ko. We'd been friends forever. Of course she knew whether I was telling the
truth or not!
"E bakit mukhang hindi ka masaya?" she asked.
Bumalik ang dahilan kung bakit ako malungkot ngayon sa isip ko dahil sa naging
tanong niya. How could I be happy after what Kuya Zoren said?
"North has a girlfriend." Mas lalo pang dumoble ang lungkot na nararamdaman ko
pagkatapos kong sabihin iyon.
"Huh?!" Andrea exclaimed. Mukha pa siyang takang-taka. "Are you sure he has a
girlfriend?"
Umiling ako. "I don't know...pero si kuya kasi ang nagsabi..." Halos umiyak na 'ko
ro'n.
Hindi nagsalita si Andrea. Wala na siyang masabi para pagaanin ang loob ko.
She knew that if Kuya Zoren said so, then it must have been true. After all, si
Kuya Zoren ang madalas na nakakasama ni North. Siya ang mas nakakaalam ng mga
nangyayari sa buhay ni North kaysa sa akin.
Mas okay sana kung hindi si Kuya Zoren ang nagsabi sa 'kin talaga. I mean, it hurt
so bad hearing that news from my own brother. Lalo pa at alam kong totoo kapag
galing sa kanya.
He never liked North for me. Ilang beses niyang sinabi sa akin na tigilan ko na ang
nararamdaman ko para kay North, but I knew that he wouldn't do this just to stop me
from having feelings for his best friend. Kuya wouldn't hurt me over some lies para
lang tigilan ko na si North.
He just didn't want to hurt me anymore, kaya kahit na alam niyang masasaktan ako,
sinabi niya pa rin ang totoo sa akin.
"Sino raw 'yung girlfriend?" tanong ni Andrea bago pa ako maiyak.
"Remember that med student we always saw with him back in university?"
"The one called Mia?"
I bit my lower lip and nodded. Hindi ko kayang kumpirmahin iyon sa kanya.
Hindi ko kayang sabihin na may girlfriend si North kung hindi lang rin naman ako
'yon!
"Figured. Halata namang may gusto yung Mia na 'yon kay North noon pa lang."
Andrea sighed.
Mas lalo lang akong nanlumo dahil doon. I knew it too! Kaya ko yatang isa-isahin
ang mga babaeng nagkakagusto kay North noon at isa na ang Mia na 'yon!
Bakit gano'n? Gusto ko rin naman si North, ah? But why couldn't he fall in love
with me?
"Pa'no na 'yan, Ry? You'll finally stop now that North has a girlfriend?"
Mabilis akong umiling. "No! I love him! After all those years of loving and chasing
after him, you really think that I can just stop my feelings for him?"
Mukha siyang nagulat sa sinabi ko. "May girlfriend na 'yung tao, Ry!"
"E ano yung nangyari kanina? I kissed him, Andrea! Pero hindi siya tumanggi!
Hindi niya ako tinulak or pinigilan! He accepted my kiss!"
Andrea heaved a deep breath. Mukhang pinapakalma niya ang sarili para hindi ako
masigawan. I knew I was being ridiculous pero masama bang umasa na mahal ako ng
mahal ko?
"Rylee, listen." Andrea even used both of her hands like she was going to give me a
lecture. "Maybe he didn't refuse your kiss 'cause he still respects you. Baka
naisip niya na mapapahiya ka lang kapag tumanggi siya at ayaw niyang mapahiya ka.
And maybe he didn't push you away 'cause he respects your
brother. Ayaw niyang masira ang pagkakaibigan nila ng kuya mo kapag sinaktan ka
niya."
My eyes started to water. What the heck...I was just planning to talk to Andrea
about what happened earlier. I literally had no plans of crying at all!
But she had a point. I could see it, but my heart wouldn't accept it. Nandoon pa
rin ang kaunting pag-asa sa akin na baka nga may nararamdaman din si North para sa
akin and all of this was just a misunderstanding.
"Bakit dati?" I tried so hard not to cry. "Back then. It was one of those time na,
quote unquote, 'naligaw' ako sa college department. North saw me!
Makikita na dapat ako ng ibang college student's no'n but he hid me from them using
his body and told them to give us privacy 'cause he was talking to his girlfriend!
At ako 'yon! And Mia was there with those students that time!"
Mangiyak-ngiyak na ako roon at halos tumulo na ang mga luha. That was my last
straw. Pinanghawakan ko ang nangyaring iyon nang sobrang tagal 'cause even if it
was just a brief moment, I got to experience being North's girlfriend. At iyon na
lang ang pag-asa ko ngayon para paniwalain ang sarili ko na hindi girlfriend ni
North si Mia.
'Cause if North liked Mia even back then, no matter how much he wanted to save me
para hindi ako mapahamak sa pagpunta ko sa college department, he would never
introduce me as his girlfriend to the girl he liked.
Dinig ko ang pagbuntonghininga ni Andrea. Kita ko ang pagkaawa sa mga mata niya
habang nakatingin sa akin. And I knew that whatever she'd say would hurt me badly.
"He said that you're he's girlfriend just to drive those girls away. Para hindi ka
mapagalitan ng mom mo or ng guidance dahil mali ang magpunta ka sa college
department," marahan na sabi sa akin ni Andrea na parang sinusubukang huwag akong
masaktan. But no matter how soft she said those words to me, it felt like a knife
was pierced in my chest. "And Rylee...that was a long time
ago. Anong laban niyang nangyari, na ilang taon na ang lumipas, kumpara sa ngayon?"
Hindi ako nagsalita. Pakiramdam ko kasi ay tuluyan na akong maiiyak kapag nagsalita
pa ako. Tumungo lang ako at nag-concentrate sa pagpipigil ng luha ko. Ayokong
umiyak ngayon.
"Don't you think it's about time you forget your feelings for him?"
Napaangat kaagad ang tingin ko dahil kay Andrea at tiningnan siya. I stared at her.
I heard what she just said but my mind refused to process it.
"Rylee...ilang taon na ang nasayang mo sa kanya. Ilang manliligaw ang tinanggihan

mo dahil kay North ka lang naka-focus. But he has a girlfriend now...you should
stop."
"Kaibigan ba talaga kita?" may hinanakit kong tanong sa kanya.
She flashed me a sad smile.
"Yes. Kaibigan mo 'ko, Ry, that's why I'm telling these things to you. Ayoko kitang
paasahin. Dahil the more na umaasa ka sa isang bagay na alam mong wala na, the more
na masasaktan ka lang in the end." She sighed. "You and North are opposite poles.
He's North Pole while you're the South Pole."
"But opposites attract." My voice cracks.
Andrea looked sadly at me. "It's not good being optimistic all the time, Ry.
You should know when to let go."
Mabilis kong pinunasan ang isang butil ng luha na nakatakas sa mata ko. I didn't
say anything. Tahimik lang ako without any idea if I should accept what Andrea told
me or if I should keep hoping for North.
No...ayoko. I refused to do so. Girlfriend niya pa lang naman. It wasn't even

confirmed yet! I loved him ever since before! Hinabol ko siya, ginawa ko ang lahat
para makita niya ako bilang babae and not just some little sister lang!
I won't stop now.
Saka na ako susuko, kapag alam kong naibigay ko na ang lahat.

"Rylee, anak?"
My head turned towards to the closed door of my room. My mom's voice was faint but
I could surely tell that she just called me.
"Ano 'yun?" Andrea asked. Mabilis kasi akong napalingon sa may pintuan kaya siguro
nahalata niyang may iba.
I looked at her. "I think mom's calling me."
"Bakit daw?"
I shrugged as I tried to dry the tears in my eyes with my hands. "I don't know."
"Puntahan mo kaya? Baka urgent."
I nodded. "Thank you sa time, Andrea."
She nodded and smiled back at me. "Nandito lang ako, okay?"
I nodded at her and said my goodbyes before I ended the call. Pinatay ko ang laptop
ko bago lumabasa ng kwarto and heard my mom calling me again. Her voice was coming
from downstairs.
Bumaba ako at nagulat sa nadatnan ko sa sala. Both North and Kuya Zoren were
sitting down on the couch, parang nakahiga na rin as their heads were resting on
the backrest. They were slouching para mas makasandal pa. It was obvious that they
were both drunk.
"What happened, Mom?" Lumapit ako kay mom na nakatayo sa harapan ng dalawa.
"I don't know! Dumating na lang 'tong dalawang 'to na lasing na," my mom said. She
sounded frustrated.
I stared at the two men in front of me, particularly at North. He was still wearing
that suit from earlier, pero wala na ang necktie sa leeg at ang puting inner ay
nakabukas na ang unang dalawang butones, giving me a glimpse of that gold chain
necklace on his neck.
His eyes were closed pero magkasalubong ang dalawang mga kilay. Magulo rin ang
buhok niya but it just added to his handsomeness.
Gosh...ano ba? Mas lalo lang akong nai-in love sa kanya, e.
"We can't send home North like this, Mom." Tumingin pa ako kay mommy at nakita ko
agad ang pagtango niya.
"He can sleep here. Just let him use the guest room."
Napangiti ako roon. It wasn't unusual naman kung dito matutulog si North, and since
he was a friend of family plus the fact that he was Kuya Zoren's best friend,
nakakapunta at pwede rin siyang matulog dito sa bahay kung kailan niya gustuhin.
Kuya said something and mom and I both looked at him. But his eyes were closed. It
was probably his drunk talk.
I looked at my mom. "Ako na bahala kay North, Mom. Asikasuhin mo na lang po si

kuya."
My mom frowned. "Are you sure? We can ask the maids —"
Mabilis akong umiling. Like I'd let anyone touch North in this state.
"Just ask them to prepare the guest room for North na lang, Mom. Ako na po bahala
sa kanya."
My mom stared at me, looking suspicious. Nginitian ko na lang siya. She sighed and
nodded and went to call the maids.
Tiningnan ko si North na nasa gano'n pa ring pwesto. Kahit lasing, ang gwapo-gwapo
niya pa rin. Funny how I wanted those dark eyes to look at me coldly instead now
that his eyes were closed.
Kuya Zoren mumbled something again kaya napatingin ako sa kanya. Bumalik na si
mommy at nakita ko ang pag-akyat ng maid na mag-aayos siguro ng guest room na
tutulugan ni North.
"We'll have to take them upstairs," mom said. Tinanguan ko siya at napakunot ang
noo niya. "Mahihirapan ka, Rylee."
I shook my head. "It's okay, Mom. Kaibigan ko rin naman si North." And I loved him
as well, Mom.
Napabuntonghininga na lang si mommy at sinubukang alalayan na si Kuya Zoren na

nagsalita na naman ng kung ano-ano. I tried to take North too. I put his arm around
my shoulders while I wrapped one of my arms around his waist to support him. He
stirred in his sleep pero hindi naman dumilat ang mga mata.
He was so near. This was one of those rare times where I got to be near him.
I could smell the scent of his manly cologne mixed with whatever alcohol he drank.
And I didn't know that even this scent made him attractive.
"North...North, wake up." I shook him a bit. "We have to go upstairs. Hindi pwedeng
dito ka sa couch matulog."
"Hmm..."
Sinubukan kong hilahin siya patayo but gosh...he was so heavy! Muntik pa akong
matumba at madaganan niya nang mapabalik kami sa pagkakaupo sa couch!
"Rylee, let the maids take care of him," my mom said when she saw what happened.
Naitayo na niya si kuya but she seems to struggling as well.
Umiling ako at muling sinubukan na itayo si North. I had to do this this time. Baka
kapag nakita ni mommy na nahihirapan ako ay sa maid niya na talaga ipaalaga si
North kahit ano pang tanggi ko.
Struggling, I stood up, taking North with me. I did it successfully this time and
it seemed like North was supporting himself as well kaya napatingin ako sa kanya.
He was slowly opening his eyes. It was only half-opened when he looked at me.
My heart hammered against my chest when he drunkenly looked at me.
"Rylee..."
"North..." I breathe. "We have to go upstairs. I can't carry you so try to walk,
okay?"
Tumango siya pero napapikit naman. His head hung so low but I could feel him
supporting himself.
"Fuck you, North!" I heard my brother shout as mom tried to take him upstairs. "I
love her! Bakit siya pa?"
"Shh! Zoren!" saway ni mommy sa kanya na mahipit ang hawak sa handrail ng hagdanan
namin. "Behave!"
It was a miracle that we got to carry the boys upstairs. Mom took Kuya Zoren inside
his room while I took North to the guest room that he always used whenever he was
sleeping in the house.
Maingat ko siyang inilapag sa kama. His feet were dangling on the floor kaya inayos
ko ang paghiga niya. Tinanggal ko rin ang sapatos at medyas niya.
I sat down on the side of the bed after trying to catch my breath.
Gosh...ngayon lang yata ako napagod nang ganito. I'd never carried anything heavy
before kaya pagod na pagod ako!
But it was okay...it was North naman. The man I loved.
I looked at North who was peacefully sleeping on the bed. I sighed. I should let
him sleep comfortably kaya sinubukan kong alisin ang coat na suot niya.
At sobrang hirap hubaran ng damit ang taong natutulog!
I still somehow managed to take off his coat. Tinitigan ko ang mukha niya
pagkatapos, wondering how a man could be as beautifully handsome as him.
I stared at his thick eyebrows down to his closed eyes. Hindi pa lumilipas ang
twenty-four hours but I already missed his dark eyes looking at me. I really liked
it whenever he was looking at me. It felt like I could be at his world. Like I
belong in his world.
Bumaba pa ang tingin ko sa matangos niyang ilong. I couldn't stop myself from
tracing the bridge of his nose with my fingers. His eyebrows creased at my touch
pero hindi naman dumilat ng mga mata. I smiled at his reaction.
My eyes went further down to his lips. Natigilan ako roon. Those lips that I kissed
earlier, those warm and soft lips...
Bumalik ang tingin ko sa mukha ni North. He was still sleeping. Napatingin ulit ako
sa mga labi niya at isang ideya ang pumasok sa isip ko.
Slowly, I bent down to close the distance of our faces, trying not to wake him up.
Sobrang bilis ng tibok ng puso ko habang unti-unting lumiliit ang distansya ng mga
mukha namin. I could already smell his breath that made me feel intoxicated. Hindi
naman ako yung uminom, pero bakit pakiramdam ko nalalasing din ako?
And when I finally felt his soft lips again, I almost cried from emotions.
I closed my eyes, trying to feel the softness and warmth of his lips. I did this
too earlier. I kissed him a few hours ago pero pakiramdam ko, kahit gaano pa
karaming beses na mahalikan ko siya, I would never get tired of kissing his lips.
Gosh, North...I'm really in love with you. Was it really not possible for you to
fall in love with me too? Couldn't I really be your girlfriend?
I was about to pull away with the thought of him already having a girlfriend when I
felt North move in his sleep. Nanlaki ang mga mata ko sa gulat nang maramdaman ang
isang kamay niyang nasa batok ko, preventing me from pulling away from the kiss.
Ang isang kamay niya ay lumapat sa likod ko at hinila ang katawan ko palapit sa
kanya.
I looked at him. His eyes were still closed but I felt him moving his lips.
Sinubukan kong itulak siya, thinking that he was still asleep but he just pulled me
closer to him.
"North—" I tried to get away but he wouldn't let me.
"C'mon, Rylee...kiss me back," he whispered on my lips. His voice sounded so husky

and deep.
He kissed me again. The feeling of him kissing me was so good that I couldn't help
but close my eyes and kissed him back. This was what I wanted. Him kissing me. Him
making me feel that he loved me.
He moved swiftly, at sa isang iglap lang ay nagkapalit na kami ng pwesto. I was

laying on the bed while he was on top of me. He deepened the kiss. My arms went up
and wrapped around his neck, pulling him closer to me this time.
A moan escaped from my mouth when I felt his tongue tracing the shape of my lips
before he inserted it inside my mouth.
I was feeling out of breath as my hands softly pulled hair which earned me a moan
from him. It sounded so good na halos magpabaliw sa akin.
North...
I felt him unbuttoning his top. Tinulungan ko pa siya sa paghuhubad pero ramdam ko
lang ang panginginig ng mga kamay ko. I was so overwhelmed with emotions. I felt so
happy and wanted to cry at the same time. I never thought that a moment like this
would ever come.
Hinubad ni North ang pang-itaas niya at inihagis lang iyon sa kung saan. I got to
see his perfect body. His broad shoulders, his chest and his six-pack abs. Hindi ko
na napigilan ang mga kamay kong haplusin ang matigas niyang katawan at narinig ko
ang mahihina niyang pagmumura.
He started unbuttoning my pajama top and I just let him do everything he wanted. I
surrendered myself to him. I was at his mercy.
In just a second, he completely removed my top. Bumaba ang halik niya sa leeg ko,
tracing circles on the way, making my skin crawl until he reached my breasts. I
moaned so loudly when I felt his mouth cover one of my mounds while his hand
massaged the other. His tongue played with my nipples that made my mind cloud with
so much pleasure.
What the heck, North...what are you doing to me?
Ilang sandali niyang pinaglaruan ang dibdib ko gamit ang kamay at bibig niya bago
muling bumaba ang halik niya papunta sa tiyan ko. I was already catching my breath.
Hindi na ako makahinga nang maayos sa kiliting nararamdaman sa bawat halik niya.
I felt his hand reached the garter of my pajamas. Hinubad niya iyon until the only
cloth that I was wearing was my underwear. I felt him reach for the garter too at
nang tingnan ko siya ay nakita kong saktong hinuhubad niya iyon.
My back fell back on the bed. I couldn't look at North. I couldn't watch him.
It was too much. Mas lalong naninindig ang mga balahibo kapag pinapanood lang siya
sa mga ginagawa niya sa akin.
"Fuck, you're so beautiful..." he whispered that almost made me cry.
I felt him caressing my left thigh with his warm hand at halos mapasigaw ako sa
gulat nang maramdaman ko ang paghalik niya sa kabilang hita ko. He kissed my inner
thigh and I couldn't help but clutch the bedsheet, hoping to find a support from
the overwhelming pleasure.
"North..."
"Look at me, Rylee."
I shook my head. Even his voice felt so good to hear. Pakiramdam ko ay hindi ko na
makakayanan kapag tiningnan ko pa siya.
"Look at me, Rylee..." ulit niya.
I did what he wanted. Bahagya akong bumangon sa higaan para makita siya, using my
elbows as support. I gasped when I saw him in between my legs. His dark eyes were
looking intensely at me. His stare was mixed with lust and so much emotions I
couldn't even name but it was enough sent shivers down my spine.
He slowly lowered his head. My heart hammered with so much anticipation. His breath
was already fanning my skin at pigil na pigil ang pagpapakawala ko ng ungol sa
lalamunan ko. But when I felt his lips kissing that part of my body that nobody had
ever touched before, I felt like I was about to go crazy.
Napabalik ako sa pagkakahiga at napakapit nang mahigpit sa bedsheet ng kama sa

magkabilang gilid ko. North was licking and kissing my core. Damang-dama ko ang
ginagawa niya sa kaselanan ko na halos magpabaliw na sa akin ngayon.
"North...oh, please..." I didn't even know what I was pleading for.
I could feel something building inside my tummy the longer North continued what he
was doing to me. Kinagat ko ang pang-ibabang labi ko sa pagpipigil ng ungol. I was
pushing North away as I felt like something wanted to come out from my body, but
North continued what he was doing.
"Oh, shit—North!"
My body convulsed when I reached my peak. Tinakpan ko ng mga kamay ko ang bibig ko
sa pagpipigil na sumigaw. North drank all my juices and didn't leave even a drop
behind.
I was still catching my breath when he crawled on top of me and kissed me. I moaned
when I tasted something in his mouth and realized that it was my juice. The thought
of it just added pleasure in me.
North stopped kissing me and positioned himself on top of me. He was looking down
at me. His dark eyes looked so much darker with so much pleasure and lust in them.
The sight of him on top of me was too much. I just wanted to cry and watch him pero
napapikit ako nang maramdaman ang sakit na parang may napupunit sa loob ko. I held
onto his shoulders and my nails dug in his skin as I sobbed because of the pain.
"Shh, baby..." bulong ni North sa tainga ko na parang inaalo ako.
I sobbed harder when I heard what he just called me. Oh my gosh. He just called me
his baby. North was even making love with me...right? This was just the happiest
day of my life.
Slowly, I felt him entering his manhood inside of me. Tiniis ko ang sakit at mariin
kong kinagat ang pang-ibabang labi ko para hindi makawala ang mga hikbi.
North must've felt that as he kissed my cheeks before he claimed my mouth like he
was trying to kiss the pain away. We kissed until I finally relaxed, and when he
realized that I was ready, he started thrusting his hips.
"North..." ungol ko at sinabayan ang paggalaw niya.
"Fuck, baby. You feel so incredible," he hissed and started moving his hips, faster
this time.
Hindi ko na kayang pigilan na pakawalan ang mga ungol ko kaya tinakpan ko na lang
ng mga kamay ko ang bibig ko para ipitin ang tunog. North was moving on top of me,
thrusting his hips as his muscles flexed with every thrust he made.
I started sweating bullets and I felt that familiar feeling building in my tummy
again. Mas lalong lumakas ang ungol ko dahil doon. North held my waist and I felt
his fingers digging in my skin at mas lalo pang bumilis ang paggalaw niya.
I almost screamed and moaned longer this time when I felt my release again.
North thrusted his hips faster than ever at naririnig ko din ang mahihinang ungol
na pinapakawalan niya until I heard him groan and felt his body shake as he shot
his warm loads inside of me.
Hinihingal na bumagsak siya sa ibabaw ko. He buried his face on my neck as we both
tried to catch our breath. I hugged him tight and planted a kiss on his hair as I
whispered, "I love you so much, North."
www.wattpad.com
26 - 33 minutes
Chapter 6
The dreams I never thought of having and coming true happened in one heated
night...or is it still a dream?
I woke up with the familiar scent of the guest room, kaagad akong umikot, humawak
sa aking tabi pero nagtaka lang nang wala akong makapa kung hindi ang malambot na
unan.
Where was North?
I quickly opened my eyes, binalot ng dilim ng kwarto ang paningin ko kaya dali-dali
akong umikot at kinapa ang side lamp sa tabi ko.
A few moments later, the room lit. Kaagad kong inikot ang mata sa tabi ko at
nakitang wala akong kasama kaya dali-dali akong napaupo pero napapikit at muling
nahulog ng higa sa kama nang maramdaman ang sakit sa pagitan ng hita.
Is it just a dream? But...I'm sore!
I reminisce what happened earlier, I remembered taking him here because he's drunk
and then I kissed him...he pulled me back and kissed me too tapos ay...
Something happened to us! I knew it! We made love!
Sumulyap ako sa orasan at nakitang alas-sais na ng umaga, sinilip ko ang kumot para
sulyapan ang damit na suot at natantong suot ko ang damit kagabi.
He fixed me, then?
I felt the loud pound inside my chest thinking about it. It still feels new, I felt
him bare and when we did that, I know something is happening. He likes me too, I am
sure.
North has feelings with me too! Impossible naman kasing gano'n tapos wala siyang
pakialam sa akin? Right? He likes me too, for sure!
But then, a thought flashed inside my head. Ang sabi'y may girlfriend siya
pero...bakit niya ako hinalikan? Why did he do that? He'd fallen for me, for sure
or perhaps...hindi naman talaga sila ni Mia?
I am almost limping when I got out of the bed, pinasadahan ko ng tingin ang kama sa
guest room at muling bumalik sa akin ang ala-ala ng tagpong 'yon na pinagsaluhan
namin ni North kagabi.
I wasn't drunk kaya sigurado akong tama ang naaalala ko.
I took a bath after struggling for the pain in between my thighs, I wore a comfy
dress and combed my hair before going down the dining room.
I saw my parents in there, ang Kuya Zoren ay nakapikit pa habang nakaupo, sa

kanyang harapan ay ang kape at pagkain.
"Oh, Rylee, anak. Ang aga mo nagising, ah?" Mom smiled when she saw me.
Ngumiti ako pabalik at tumango, "good morning, Mom, Dad...Kuya." Baling ko kay Kuya
Zoren na nagmulat ng mata at tumitig sa akin.
I didn't know why but I was easily nervous with his gaze, mabilis akong lumapit
para humalik kay Mom at Dad bago naupo sa tabi ni Kuya.
"Milk, anak?" ani Dad na ibinababa ang dyaryo na hawak, sumusulyap sa akin.
"Coffee na lang po, Dy. Thank you." Sagot ko at tumango siya bago tinawag ang isa
sa house help para mag-utos.
"Good morning, Kuya!" I greeted my brother na kanina pa pala nakatingin sa akin.
He eyed me seriously, as if looking for something kaya tumikhim ako at nag-iwas ng

tingin, bumaling kay Mommy na nanunuod lang din sa amin.
"Hi, My. Si...Si North po?" I asked her with a smile.
"Oh, umalis kaninang five, I think?" she answered me, "hindi ko naabutan, eh, no'ng
pinatawag ko sa maids para sa agahan ang sabi sa akin ay umalis daw kaninang
umaga."
"Bakit daw po?" tanong kong muli kahit pakiramdam ko'y medyo bumigat ang pakiramdam
ko.
"Hindi ko alam, Ry. Baka may emergency?" she shrugged kaya napatango ako at
sumulyap sa plato.
"Why did you ask?" I almost smashed the plate in shock when my brother spoke, I
tilted my head to look at him and caught the curious look on his face.
"Y-yes?" I asked.
"Why are you asking where North is?" tanong niya, I've sensed something on his
voice kaya sumagot kaagad ako, inaayos ang tono para hindi halata ang kabang
nararamdaman.
"Because I am curious, Kuya," I answered. "Masama bang magtanong?" I smiled after
saying that and he eyed me seriously, making my heart pound harder.
"Zoren, loosen up, why are you questioning your sister like that?" Dad asked,
sipping on his coffee, staring at my brother na kumunot ang noo pero umiling.
"Nothing, Dad," he answered.
"Just answer her, Zoren." Mom said, "isa pa, tumulong si Rylee sa pag-asikaso sa
inyo at lasing na lasing kayong dalawa. She took care of your friend."
Bumaling na sa akin si Kuya ng tuluyan, mas lumalim ang gatla sa noo habang
pinagmamasdan ako.
"You took care of him?" he asked kaya tumango ako, kinakabahang kumuha ng ulam sa
gitna para kumain.
"Yes, masama ba?" I asked, "he's your friend, Kuya. Kaya inasikaso ko."
I heard his loud sigh after what I've said but he didn't say anything, hinayaan na
niya ako kaya nininerbyos akong kumain, iniisip ang mga mangyayari pagkatapos nito.
I stayed in our house the same day, thinking about the move I am going to do.
Will I talk to North? Or should I just let this be? Wala akong gagawin?
I didn't contact Andrea or even Adrian to tell them this, kinimkim ko lang, lalo
na't magulo rin ang isip ko sa nangyayari.
I took my phone, tried contacting North but to no avail, he wasn't answering.
Muli akong sumubok, halos tatlong beses ata kaya napahugot ako ng hininga nang
sinagot na niya 'yon.
"Finally..." I sighed in contentment, "you answered, North!"
"Who's this?" I was stunned when instead of hearing his voice, I heard someone
else's.
"Who's this?" I asked.
"It's Mia," hearing that name made me shiver, napapikit ako ng mariin at humigpit
ang hawak sa phone.
She answered the phone! Does this mean...
"Where's North?" tanong ko, pinipigil ang emosyon.
"Oh, he's in the bathroom." She answered, "I'll tell him you called, can I know who
this is?"
"Wala...wala ba akong caller ID diyan?" I asked and she stopped for a while, as if
checking something and answered me.
"Sorry, nothing. It's just a number. I don't think North's saving numbers kapag
hindi importante." She said, I heard a hint of her, smiling. "Can I know who this
is, then? Para masabi ko sa kanya?"
"No thanks," I answered and before she could even say something, I turned the call
off, throwing my phone on the bed.
"Arrghh!" I groaned in frustration, ibinaon ko ang mukha ko sa kama at sumipa,

inilalabas ang frustration na nararamdaman.
What is that, huh? May relasyon ba talaga sila? Is it just a rumor or the truth?
But something special happened to us last night!
The way he kissed, touched and held me is not what a man who doesn't like you will
do.
Does he really like matured girls? But I am too, I think. Should I work harder to
be like that? I shouldn't demand, right?
Pero muli na namang sumagi sa utak ko ang babaeng iyon at pakiramdam ko'y bigla
akong nanliit. If it's true they have a relationship then I basically became a damn
mistress! What the hell?!
The next day, I decided to visit my brother on his office but of course, that's
just my disguise. I have other agendas kaya ang Kuya ay stress nang makita akong
pumapasok sa opisina niya.
"What is it this time, Rylee Adisson?" he asked me boredly, lifting his leg on the
table so he could rest his back on the swivel, crossing his arms on his chest to
watch me.
"I'm just visiting you, Kuya, is it wrong?" I smiled sweetly at him but he looked
suspicious, as always.
"Is there something going on here, Ry?" he raised his brow, sinusuklay ng daliri
ang buhok. "You went here for two days now in just one week."
"Na-miss nga kasi kita, Kuya." I smiled, "masama bang bumisita sa 'yo?"
Nanliit ang mata niya, nagulat ako nang bigla siyang tumayo sa swivel at inangat
ang kamay niya, tinatawag ako kaya marahan akong lumapit sa kanya.
"Why?"
"Sit there," he pointed his swivel kaya nagtataka akong tumitig sa kanya.
"Bakit ako uupo?"

"Just..." he sighed, halos panliitan ako ng mata. "Just sit, Rylee."
I was scared of his serious tone kaya nag-aalangang naupo ako sa swivel niya, siya
nama'y tumayo sa may gilid ng lamesa, sumandal doon bago humalukipkip,
pinagmamasdan ako.
"Why so serious?" I tried lifting the mood by asking it playfully, smiling at him.
"H'wag sisimangot, Kuya, nagma-matured ka. Sayang naman ang ka-gwapuhan natin
diyan, 'di ba?"
"Stop it," he pointed me. "Hindi ako papadala diyan sa lambing mo, Rylee. I know
you, something is off, right? What is it, huh? Si North?"
"Kuya..." I trailed off, sighing. "This is nothing."
"I told you to stop liking him, haven't I?" he asked, sa lamig ng mata niya ay
nakita ko sa kanya si Dad na parang pinapagalitan ako.
"Mapipigilan ba ang feelings, Kuya?" I asked him, "no, right? I like him—no—I love
North, Kuya Zoren. You can't possibly tell me to stop loving him because I
couldn't! It's not an easy thing to do."
"He isn't good for you, Rylee." He pointed out.
"How can you say that?" nagsalubong ang kilay ko, "he's your friend, Kuya!
You should be the one liking him for me kasi kaibigan mo siya—"
"That is why I don't like you for him, Rylee Addison!" his voice bombarded the
room. "Kaibigan ko siya kaya alam kong hindi siya babagay sa 'yo! You will only get
hurt!"
"Why so?" suminghap ako, "paano mo nasabing masasaktan ako, huh? Kuya? We haven't
even been a relationship, paano mo 'yan nasasabi?"
"He likes Mia, Rylee!" he exclaimed, "don't you get it, huh? You are out of the
picture. Mia and him, they've been friends for years! You can't possibly go and
ruin them—"
"I've been loving him for years, Kuya!" laban ko. "And...and North, I know he loves
me too! I can feel it!"
"Then you're fooling yourself, Rylee." He insisted, "he didn't like you that way,
he told me that! He only looks at you as his little sister and nothing else so stop
hurting yourself and quit it. Find a boyfriend, find someone else! Just not him,
masasaktan ka lang!"
"You can't dictate me, Kuya." I sighed, brushing my hair frustratedly before
standing, pinapantayan ang mata niya. "This is my feelings and kahit gusto ko mang
pigilan kagaya ng sinasabi mo, hindi ko kaya."
Nilagpasan ko siya pagkaraan at nakita ko ang pagsunod niya sa akin ng tingin.
"Rylee!" he called and I shook my head, hindi na siya nilingon at diretso na

palabas sa kanyang opisina.
Padabog kong binuksan ang pintuan niya para makalabas pero pag-angat ko ng tingin
ay nakita ko ang pamilyar na mukha ni North, may hawak siyang folder at mukhang
nagulat din nang makita ako na lumabas sa opisina ni Kuya.
"Rylee," he said my name like I am important when he saw me and my heart almost got
out of my chest pero tumikhim ako at lumapit sa kanya, tumitig sa itim at seryoso
niyang mga mata.
"Let's talk," I said casually and walk past him, silently pinching myself to ease
the nervousness I've been feeling.
Nakalabas ako ng building ng kompanya nila, humuhugot ng hininga habang inaayos ang
buhok ko.
"Let's go," a voice from behind stopped me at kaagad akong napaayos ng tayo ng
makita si North, inaayos ang suot na coat, pormal na pormal at sumulyap sa akin.
"Let's talk somewhere else."
Hindi na ako nakasagot dahil namulsa na siya, tahimik na naglakad pauna sa akin
kaya tahimik akong sumunod, mahigpit ang hawak sa bag ko, naaalala pa rin ang
nangyari no'ng nakaraan sa amin.
When we reached the parking lot, I saw a car lit from somewhere at no'ng naglakad
siya patungo roon ay sumunod ako. My chest pounded when he opened the car door for
me, nagsalubong pa ang mata naming dalawa bago ako pumasok sa loob, tahimik na
inaayos ang seatbelt ko.
I smelled his manly perfume when he went inside and started the engine and a few
moments later, he's driving somewhere.
A soft song played on the radio, nakikita ko ang tahimik niyang pagsulyap sa pwesto
ko pero hindi ko siya nilingon at malalim lang na may iniisip.
Nakarating kami sa isang hindi kalayuang mall, he went out of the car and opened
the door for me kaya tumango ako at maliit na ngumiti.
"Thank you," I muttered and he nodded, walang sinabing kung ano.
Nauna ako sa paglalakad habang nakasunod siya at hindi ako sanay sa ganitong
katahimikan naming dalawa, I find it better when he's ignoring me around and I am
pursuing him kaya nakakapanibagong ganito kaming dalawa.
"Saan tayo?" baling ko sa kanya na nahuli kong kanina pa pala ako sinusundan ng
tingin habang naglalakad.
Nakita kong medyo naglakad siya papunta sa tabi ko at sinalubong ang mga mata ko,
"where do you like to talk?"
"Kahit doon na lang sa open area sa labas," I said and he agreed. He licked his
lower lip while we're walking and despite the uncertainty I've been feeling, I was
at ease because he came here with me.
I sat near the mall's fountain, may shade sa parteng iyon kaya hindi ako natatamaan
ng init, may mga mini food stalls sa paligid, may maliit din palaruan sa center
kung saan may mga batang naglalaro kaya nakangiting pinanuod ko lang sila.
"Here," North then gave me a buko juice he bought from one of the mini stores here
kaya tinanggap ko iyon at ininom.
I felt his warmth and comforting presence when he sat beside me, nahuli ko siyang
sumusulyap sa akin habang ginagawa iyon kaya nilingon ko na at doon siya bumaling
sa hawak, uminom din pagkaraan bago tumikhim.
"About that night," he started off and my heart started pounding harshly.
"I'm sorry."
Tila tumigil ang puso ko sa narinig, kaagad ko siyang nilingon at nagsalita,
"why...why are you sorry? Ayaw mo ba 'yong nangyari?"
He looks bothered for some reason when he heard that, his mouth parted a bit to say
something but he bit it afterwards, shaking his head.
"It's not that, Rylee. We made a mistake." He said, glancing at me, his intense
black eyes sending me different emotions. "I was drunk and took advantage of you—"
"I liked it too, North." I confessed, "and I kissed you first...tapos hinila mo ako
pabalik and that happened."
"Then that is my fault, Rylee." He said, cocking his head to the side, stretching
it. "I could've controlled myself. We shouldn't have done that."
"Ginusto ko rin naman, 'di ba?" I looked at him at hindi ko maintindihan ang
emosyon na gustong iparating ng mga mata niya. "I liked it too, North."
"But I should have controlled myself. That was wrong. You're Zoren's sister and I
should've stopped myself, ako ang mas matanda kaya dapat ako ang nagpigil." He
closed his eyes tightly.
"What am I? A minor?" iritado ko siyang tinignan. "I am twenty-five for pete's
sake, North! I have my own mind and I liked what we did too."
Lumalim ang paghinga niya, mukhang frustrated din kagaya ko.
"And ano naman kung kaibigan mo si Kuya? Parehas lang kayo, bawal ako sa 'yo kasi
kaibigan ka niya and this is a mistake for you because you're my brother's friend?"
I gritted my teeth in annoyance, "come on, I'm not a kid, North. I know what I am
doing!"
"What happened between us..." he opened his eyes to stare at me intently,
"it's wrong, Ry. Hindi dapat nangyari. Alright, you're not a kid anymore but
still...mali 'yon, I was fucking drunk and—"
"So pinagsisisihan mo na gano'n?" irita kong sabi at tumitig siya sa akin ng

seryoso, tila binabasa ang mata ko kaya mariin ko rin siyang ginantihan ng titig.
"Yes," he said in finality and it was like a slap to me but I assumed it would
happen, I knew it. I knew this will come.
"Let's forget about it, then." Sagot ko at nakita ko ang gulat sa mga mata niya,
"let's pretend nothing happened and do what we used to do before, right?"
"Rylee..." he called.
"I'm in love with you, North. You know that right?" I inquired desperately.
"It's wrong, you shouldn't love me, Ry." He puffed a deep sigh, "you should find
someone else—"
"But I only want you." Inilipat ko ang tingin sa kanya, "okay, let's forget this
happened. This mistake you're saying but I won't stop pursuing you, North."
"Rylee, this is insane." He licked his lower lip, clenching his jaw. "This won't
end good—"
"I know," sagot ko, "bakit? Dahil kayo na ni Mia?"
"Mia?" he froze, glancing at me, looking confused. "Bakit siya nasama rito?"
"You're together, right?" malamig kong tanong at mas mukhang naguluhan lang siya
roon.
"Where did you hear that?" mas mukhang nalito siya, "we weren't—"
"I'll be gone for nearly two months for my shows," I told him. "Please expect we'll
be back to what we used to when I got back."
"Rylee, forget about me, okay? Go on with your life." He insisted, "hindi na
mauulit 'yong nangyari. It was a mistake—"
"Then if it was for you, I'll always remind you that mistake we made, North."
Tumayo na ako sa harapan niya at ngumiti, saglit na dumukwang para hagkan siya sa
labi at nang makita ang gulat niyang mata ay mahinang tumawa.
"I'll be back, baby. I'll take you from the woman of yours." I said before turning
my back on him, walking away confidently kahit sa loob-loob ay sasabog na ako.
It was hard being away but for work and myself, I did my best to survive.
Magazines abroad talked to me and offered to feature me kaya kasama ko si Andrea at

Adrian ay nagtrabaho kami roon.
I am lucky despite this heartbreak, I guess? Because I have real friends with me.
"Ry, this is Liam Garcia. Your partner for today's shoot." A introduced a handsome
model kaya ngumiti ako at inilahad ang kamay sa kanya.
"Hi, Liam. I'm Rylee." Pakilala ko at ngumiti siya, mabilis na tinanggap ang kamay
ko.
"It's an honor working with you," he said and I felt comfortable with his genuine
smile.
It was tiring, mabuti na lang ay magaang katrabaho si Liam. He's funny and sweet
too kaya nakapalagayan ko ng loob. Kapag wala kaming shoot ay gumagala ako kasama
si Adrian at Drea paikot sa Europe para kumuha ng litrato at magsaya. Minsan naman
ay nagkukulong ako sa kwarto, nag-i-stalk sa mga gawain ni North sa Pilipinas at
dahil hindi naman siya active sa social media, umaasa ako sa mga business articles
kung saan napi-feature sila ni Kuya Zoren.
Luckily, the two are well-known in business world, for our families' one of the
most-praised real state company in the country at silang dalawa ang nagpapatakbo
nito.
Nga lang, it was one of the hardest weeks and months of my life. May mga article na
nagsilabasan tungkol sa date ni North and it was none other than Mia kaya halos
masakal ko na si Andrea sa irita sa nabasa.
I should do something to clear everything. I want North by myself and I know he

likes me too. I can feel it deep within me.
Pagkauwi naming Pilipinas ay kaagad akong sinalubong ni Mommy, ibinabalitang may

dinner party kaming iho-host dahil na-awardan ang kompanya namin ng APEA, Asia
Pacific Entrepreneurship Awards as for my mother and it was such an honor.
Kasama ang mga investors ng kompanya para sa intimate dinner party na iyon.
In my shining silver gown and iron-pressed hair, I made sure I will look beautiful
for tonight's evening since I am sure of North's appearance for tonight.
Kasabay ko ang Kuya sa pagpasok sa hall at kaagad kaming sinalubong ng pagbati, my

brother is praised for his hard work kaya proud na proud ako sa kanya kahit 'di pa
kami masyadong nagpapansinan dahil sa nangyari no'ng nakaraang buwan.
My eyes landed on the tables and my lip twitched when I saw North on his sexy
silver coat and slacks, his hair is slick-back, looking handsome and fresh.
Oh, we're the same, huh?
Naglakad kami palapit doon pero tinawag si Kuya kaya saglit niya akong iniwan. I
walked towards him at nang magtapat kaming dalawa ay kaagad akong napangiti.
"Hi, North." I greeted with a sweet smile and he stared at me intently, cocking his
head and raise his brow. His black eyes darkened.
"You had fun with your boy abroad, hmm?" I noticed the sarcasm on his voice kaya
medyo natawa ako.
"Liam's a friend, he's a model too." I said sweetly, lifting my hand so I could
touch his shoulder at may pinagpagan doon. "Ikaw naman, North ko, masyado kang
seloso."
"Hell, I'm not." I saw his jaw clenched, looking away.
"Oh?" I lifted my hand, touching his chin he would look at me. "Bakit ka tunog
galit?"
"I'm not, Rylee." Seryoso niyang sagot, sinasalubong ang mata ko. "I felt at peace
when you weren't around. Walang makulit."
"Why are you so mean?" sumimangot na ako, "hindi mo ba ako na-miss? Wala akong
halos two months, oh?"
"No, I didn't." He answered, slowly pulling back. "Take a seat and be a good girl."
"I'm a good one," sabat ko. "And I'm not a kid, North."
"Alright," he answered, shaking his head. "I have to talk to them, umupo ka riyan
and please, don't be a brat today, Rylee. Nandito ang parents mo."
"And so? Boto naman ata sila sa 'yo." Sagot ko na nakangiti at nanliit lang ang
mata niya, mukhang naaasar na sa pinagsasabi ko pero suminghap ako ipinaghila ako
ng upuan, humahawak sa siko ko para ipaupo.
"Sit here and be quiet. You want us to be like before? Then behave." He said kaya
ngumuso ako, kinawayan ang waiter na palapit, kukuha sana ng wine pero
'di ko pa naaabot ay tinapik n ani North ang kamay ko.
"What?" reklamo ko at kinunutan niya lang ako ng noo, bumabaling sa waiter.
"No liquor for the lady, give her some water." He commanded at halos mapasipa na
ako sa inis nang umalis ang waiter para gawin ang gusto niya.
"North?!" I whined and his lip twitched.
"Just water for you, lady." He said, fixing his coat. "Your parents are here,
behave."
North Dominic Alvarado...you're really something and I don't think I can let you go
this fast, not without giving a fight.
When he left para makisalamuha sa mga kausap ni Kuya, nahulog na ang balikat ko.
Nahuli ko pa ang tingin ni Kuya sa amin kanina no'ng nag-uusap kami pero tinaasan
ko lang siya ng kilay at inilingan niya ako.
You can't stop me, Kuya. I will love North no matter what.
Ang tubig ang pinagtripan ko nang dumating iyon, I saw investors flocking from one
place to another, greeting our families for the awards and new success and I was
just watching them.
"Aren't you tired of pestering North?" mula sa pamilya ko ay napunta ang tingin ko
sa tabi ko at nagulat nang makita si Mia na paupo sa tabi ko.
"What do you need?" diretsang sabi ko nang maupo siya sa tabi ko.
She's wearing a red gown, her hair's in an elegant bun, matapang ang make-up at
ngumiti sa akin.
"Nothing, I just want to tell you to stop messing with North." She said, glancing
at North's place. "You're too young for him, isa pa, he likes matured woman. Same
age as his, not some brat like you."
"Excuse me?" my brows furrowed.
"I'm sorry, am I rude?" she chuckled, lifting her hand to call a waiter.
"What I wanted to tell you is for your own good to, Rylee. Alam kong dati mo pa
gustong-gusto si North."
"And so?" iritado kong sabat.
"So...I want you to quit it because he doesn't feel the same way." Aniya, kinukuha
ang wine na abot ng waiter, sumimsim at tumitig sa akin. "He told he didn't like
you, Rylee. You're just a little sister for him."
"That isn't true," I retorted, the grip on my gown tightened in irritation.
"North likes me, okay? I know it."
"He didn't, Ry." She explained, "I heard he likes me...not the likes of you.
No offense?"
Tumiim ang bagang ko, I wanted to scream at her out of annoyance but I wasn't like
that. I'd never do a petty fight with the likes of her.
"North and I, we liked each other since college. Palagi kaming magkasama, 'di ba?
That's the thing, he likes me kaya niya ginagawa 'yon."
"Can you please go, Mia?" malamig kong sabi. "Stop saying nonsense lies."
"We'll be together soon," she pointed out and that's when it dawned to me.
They weren't together! It wasn't true!
"So, you two weren't together, eh?" lumakas ang loob ko at mas tumapang ang tingin
sa kanya, kitang-kita kung paanong lumalim ang paghinga niya.
"He likes me, Rylee." Laban niya.
"Yeah?" I laughed with sarcasm, "if he really likes you then why aren't you two
together, huh? simula College magkasama na kayo, 'di ba? Then why did he not court
you?"
"Because he's..." she wasn't good at lying kaya kitang-kita ko ang pagtitiim niya
ng bagang. "He was shy to ask me out! We're good friends before and he didn't want
to taint that! He's taking his time."
My brows shot up.
"So, friendly advice, Rylee. Leave him alone. I care for you kaya ko 'to sinasabi,
you're like a little sister for me too...since kapatid ka ni Zoren." Doon na ako
muling nairita.
"Shut up." I said in a hard, annoyed voice.
"Please take my advice," she tapped my shoulder upon standing. "You're too young
for him and you're still immature. North doesn't like you that way so please,
please stop giving him a hard time. He's tired of you."
I was fuming mad when she left, I wasn't really not that annoyed with Mia since she
wasn't a threat before but right now, I don't know what to think. I was annoyed at
her for saying those things to me, saying something on North's behalf.
At kung papalarin nga naman, the Saldoval's—my family, Alvarado's, North's and the
Santiago's, Mia's family are in one table and I was irritated.
Mia, having the guts to tell me those things looked sweet while talking to North's
parents. Katabi niya si North habang ako'y katabi ang Kuya na tahimik lang din at
mukhang nagmamasid lang.
I saw North glancing at me pero kumunot lang ang noo ko sa kanya at uminom ng
tubig, naiiritang katabi niya si Mia.
"Hey, careful, North." Mia said sweetly while fixing something on North's suit and
my brows almost met in annoyance.
"Wow, bagay na bagay talaga kayong dalawa." Natigil ako sa pagtusok ng pagkain sa
plato nang marinig ang boses ng Mommy ni Mia na sinabi iyon.
"Mommy naman..." Mia chuckled softly kaya ngumuso ako.
"Ilang taon na pala kayong magkaibigan, ano?" Mommy then asked them kaya mas
nagsalubong ang kilay ko.
Is that betrayal, Mom? Ako ang anak mo, oh!
"Oh, opo, Tita." She said gently, "we've been friends for like...a long time and I
really know North."
Tumikhim ang Kuya sa tabi ko at nang nilingon ko siya ay tahimik siyang uminom ng
wine.
"Are you planning to take it to the next level?" Mia's Mom asked and when she
chuckled sweetly, looking shy ay muli kong naalala ang sinabi niya kanina.
"You see, North has flings before but I haven't seen him date a woman!"
Napasulyap na ako sa Mommy ni North, Tita Lyka, when she said that.
"Mom..." North called at nagkatawanan sila sa table habang ako'y matalim ang tingin
kay North na nakatitig na rin sa akin.
"Tama nga at bagay na bagay sila nitong Mia ko," Mia's Mom said sweetly, touching
Mia at natawa naman ang huli at umiling.
"Mom, nakakahiya naman kay North, ano ka ba..." Mia trailed off.
"Why not? You're single and North too! Tutal naman at matagal na kayong
magkaibigan, bakit hindi na lang kayo?" she asked and the grip on my fork
tightened, lumunok ako at sumubok mag-focus pero napupuno lang ako ng iritasyon at
selos sa naririnig.
"Tita," North chuckled a bit. "That's too early for that."
"Anong early? Nasa 30s na kayo ni Mia ko, ano?" She smiled, "kaya bagay na bagay
talaga kayo nitong anak ko—"
"I have something to say." I cut her off kaya napuno ng katahimikan ang buong
lamesa, napabaling sa akin na biglang nagsalita.
"Anak?" Mom called kaya tumikhim ako at sumulyap sa kanila.
"I have a confession to make," sabi ko at naramdaman ko ang tensyon sa lamesa.

Mia's forehead creased, si North naman ay nanatiling nakatitig sa akin, nagtataka
ang mga mata.
"Rylee," Kuya called and touched my elbow, sensing something. "This is nothing.
Continue." Ani Kuya na tumawa pa ng bahagya pero umiling ako at uminom ng tubig.
"No, I really have something important to say." I stated.
"What is it, anak?" Mom asked me gently and I heaved a deep sigh, glancing at Mia
and then to North and spoke.
"I'm pregnant," I told them seriously, "and...North's the father."
www.wattpad.com
16 - 20 minutes
Chapter 7
I could clearly tell by their faces that they got shocked with what I've said. They
were all looking at me with wide eyes. Walang nagsasalita na para bang pinoproseso
pa ng mga utak nila kung anong sinabi ko.
My whole family was all looking at me. Lalo na si Kuya na ramdam na ramdam ko ang
bigat ng mga titig niya sa akin pero hindi ko siya pinansin. Hindi ko sila
tinignan. I've been living with them ever since. They're my family.
Kilala nila ako and I'm afraid that they might see the lie in my eyes if I look at
them.
I glanced at Mia and felt the satisfaction when I saw the horror on her face.
Namumutla rin ang mukha niya at ang mga labi ay bahagyang nakabukas dahil sa gulat.
It's obvious I crushed her confidence that she just showed me earlier.
I know that what I did is wrong. I just lied to them. But there's no way I would
let anyone take North away from me. I just felt betrayed 'cause even my Mom looks
like she wanted Mia for North when I am her daughter! I love North!
I love him for so long at hindi ako papayag na mapunta siya sa iba! Lalo na sa Mia
na 'yon!
Ang sama ng ugali!
"Liar!" sigaw ni Mia na talagang napatayo. She was looking at me with anger in her
eyes. But I could also see the fear in it. She's afraid that I might telling the
truth. "Lies! I know it's a lie!"
I put down the fork that I was holding. I wiped my mouth with the table cloth and
looked at Mia.
"I'm telling the truth, though."
"On, no. You don't," she chuckled the words. "Don't you think I don't know what
you're doing right now? You like North and you're so desperate na mapunta siya sa
'yo kaya kung ano-anong kasinungalingan ang sinasabi mo ngayon!"
"Mia!" saway ng mommy ni Mia sa kanya. Napapahiyang napatingin pa kina Mommy at

Daddy.
"She's just lying, Mom!" she insisted as she glanced at her Mom before looking back
at me again. She looked like she was on the verge of crying because of anger. "She
likes North even before pa. She wants him for herself that she even had to tell
that lie!"
"I am not lying!"

Napatayo na ako. I am aware of the curious glances from the people in that hall. I
could also hear some murmurs from them.
I just told a lie in front of these people, in front of my family, in front of

North. Pero hinding-hindi ko babawiin iyon.
I know it's bad. But if this is the only way so North will end up with me, then I
will take this lie even on my graves.
I heaved a deep sigh and stared at Mia.
"I am telling the truth," kalmado kong sabi. "North and I... something happened to
us, one special night. At nagbunga ang gabing iyon. I'm pregnant and he's the
father."
"Stop with your lies!" si Mia na mukhang ayaw talagang maniwala.
"Why don't you ask North?" hamon ko sa kanya at mas nakita ko pa ang takot sa mga
mata niya.
I told her that but I am afraid too. Baka itanggi ni North. He didn't even know
that I'm pregnant, kahit hindi totoo. But it's true that something happened to us
that night!
I wasn't even planning of telling this but Mia pushed me into this!
They all looked at North. Tahimik lang ang mga pamilya namin at walang sinasabi.
Mia was looking at North with hope in her eyes. She's hoping that he'll tell
everyone that I am indeed, lying.
I looked at North. I got really nervous when I saw his dark eyes looking at me. He
had a serious look on his eyes. His jaw was even clenching. Napalunok ko, getting
so ready to be humiliated tonight.
North heaved a deep sigh. He glanced at me, I noticed how his jaw clenched before
looking at everyone in the table.
"It's true," he said.
Napahugot ako ng malalim na paghinga at dahang-dahang pinakawalan iyon. I knew it.

He wouldn't deny it. He wouldn't deny what happened to us that night!
I saw how hope crushed in Mia's eyes. Namula ang mga mata niya at nahuhulaan kong
malapit na siyang umiyak. Her eyes were full of hurt now as she looked at North.
"No..." she muttered, umiling-iling pa. "No, North. I know you're lying. Ayaw mo
lang mapahiya siya sa mga tao dito. You don't have to protect her. Tell us the
truth."
North looked at Mia. She stilled. Probably she saw the seriousness in his dark
eyes. Unti-unti siyang napaupo na parang nawalan ng lakas at napatulala.
North turned his gaze on me. Kinilabutan ako nang muling makita ang seryoso niyang
mga tingin sa akin. It was like he's reading me. Natatakot akong makita niya ang
katotohanan na nagsisinungaling lang ako kaya nag-iwas ako ng tingin sa kanya.
Napansin ko ang pag-galaw ni Kuya Zoren sa gilid ko. He stood up. Napatingin kaming
lahat sa kanya na naglakad papunta sa kabilang side ng lamesa. Tumigil siya sa
gilid ni North.
"Is it true? May nangyari sa inyo ng kapatid ko?" he asked. Mas natakot ako sa tono
ng boses ni Kuya ngayon.
He never used this tone before. It sounds dangerous. Kalmado ang itsura niya pero
naririnig ko ang panganib sa boses niya.
North stood up and faced my brother. He looked at him with seriousness in his eyes.
"Yes," deretso niyang sagot na hindi inaalis ang tingin kay Kuya.
Kuya Zoren stared at him for a second. Nakita ko ang pagdaan ng galit sa mata niya
at ang pag-igting ng mga panga niya. He was suppressing his anger, but miserably
failed as he landed a punch on North's face.
Napasinghap ako at agad na napatayo. I also heard those audible gasps from other
tables who also got surprised with my brother's action.
Oh, my gosh! I didn't mean everything to turn out like this! Hindi ko ginustong
masaktan si North!
"Zoren!" si mommy na napatayo rin.
But Kuya ignored her warning. Nilapitan niya si North na natumba sa sahig. He
grabbed him on the collar and forced him to stand up. Kitang-kita ko ang galit sa
mga mata ng Kuya ko at ang naglalabasan oa ang ugat sa mga braso sa sobrang higpit
ng pagkakahawak niya sa kwelyo ni North.
North didn't even resist. I almost cried when I saw the cut on his lips na ngayon
ay nagdudugo na. But he just stared at my brother and accepted his anger.
"'Di ba sabi ko, 'wag ang kapatid ko?" Kuya Zoren said with gritted teeth.
"Tangina, binuntis mo pa!"

Walang sinabi si North at tinitigan lang si Kuya. I sobbed. I knew by this time
that their friendship are now ruined.
I ruined their friendship.
Hindi ito ang gusto ko. I just wanted North to love me back. For him to be mine. I
never wanted him to get hurt.
Napatingin ako kay Mia na nakatayo na rin ngayon. He looked at the two men in front
of him before her gaze turned on me. I saw the anger in her eyes. Like she's also
blaming me with what's happening right now.
"Zoren, tama na 'yan," sabi ni Daddy na nakalapit na sa dalawa. Tinanggal niya ang
pagkakahawak ni Kuya sa kwelyuhan ng damit ni North.
My father nodded at North's Dad na ngayon ay inaalalayan na ang anak niya.
"I think it's best to just call it a night," my Dad said.
Tito nodded at him. "Yeah... I apologize for this."
Walang sinabi si Daddy na hinigit na palayo si Kuya doon. Tinignan niya kami ni
Mommy.
"Let's go. Umuwi na tayo."
"But—" my Mom was about to say something but chose to close her mouth when he saw
the seriousness on my Dad face. She turned on me. "Let's go, Rylee."
Ayaw ko pa sanang umalis. I wanted to check on North. I don't want to leave his
side tonight pero wala na akong nagawa nang hinawakan ni Mommy ang pulsuhan ko at
hinila ako paalis doon.
I looked at North and saw him looking at me. Mia was beside her, wiping the blood
off his lips.
What, North? Even after the lie that I just told everyone, hindi pa rin ba pwedeng
ako naman ang nasa tabi mo?
Kuya Zoren was still angry even when we got to our house. He was pacing back and
forth. We were all in the living room and I was sitting on the sofa, Mom was beside
me. While my Dad was standing in front of us, his hands were inside the pockets of
his pants.
"What were you thinking, Rylee?!" Tumigil si Kuya Zoren sa harap ko. "I told you
not to fall in love with North!"
"But I did, Kuya!" frustrated kong sabi. "I still did! At hindi ko pinagsisisihan
'yon! Falling in love with North was one of the best things happened to me!"
He let out some curses. Halata ang frustration when he combed his hair using his
fingers. He looked at me again, anger was still in his eyes.
"That's already one thing, pero dinagdagan mo pa! Nagpabuntis ka pa talaga sa

kanya! Ganyan ka ba talagang kadesperada, Rylee?" he spat angrily.
"Zoren!" saway ni Mommy. "Don't be harsh on her! Buntis ang kapatid mo!"
"Fuck!" he hissed. Muling napasuklay ng mga daliri sa buhok.
Pinigilan ko ang mapaiyak habang nakatingin kay Kuya Zoren. Hindi pa siya nagagalit
ng ganito sa akin. Ngayon lang. And it hurts so much seeing so much anger and
disappointment in his eyes when he looked at me since I told that lie.
I felt my Mom put her an arm around my shoulders. She squeezed it, giving me
comfort. Napatingin ako sa kanya and saw her looking gently at me.
"You should've told us, Rylee..." she softly said. Para bang natatakot siya na
sumama ang loob ko kapag nagtaas siya ng boses.
I averted my gaze on her. Hindi ko kayang magsinungaling sa kanya habang deretsong

nakatingin sa mga mata niya.
How could I tell it when there's nothing to tell, Mom?
"I'm afraid that you'll get disappointed in me..." my voice croaked. Ang sakit na
nararamdaman ko sa dibdib ko ay parang nagtutulak sa akin na umiyak ako ngayon.
But I couldn't cry. I feel like I don't have any rights to cry. I did something
horrible. I just lied to them. To my family. Because of North.
My mom sighed.
"We're disappointed dahil hindi mo agad sinabi sa amin, anak... Kailan mo pa

nalaman?"
"N-no'ng nasa abroad ako, Mom," nauutal ako sa pagsisinungaling. My heart was even
beating so fast with the thought that they might see through my lies.
Napatango si Mommy. It looks like she bought what I've said. Habang si daddy ay
tahimik pa ring nakatingin sa amin. Si Kuya Zoren naman ay pilit na pinapakalma ang
sarili.
She heaved a deep sigh and caressed my arm before she smiled at me.
"Next time, tell us everything, okay? Kapag may problema ka. We're your family,
Rylee."
Tumango ako kay Mommy at yumakap sa kanya. Nandoon pa rin ang sakit sa dibdib ko
dahil sa ginagawa kong pagsisinungaling sa kanila.
"You should rest, Rylee," dinig kong sabi ni Daddy na sa wakas ay nagsalita na rin
after naming umalis sa dinner party. "Makakasama sa 'yo ang magpuyat."
Tumango ako at inalalayan pa ni Mommy. Napatingin ako kay Kuya Zoren but he wasn't
looking at me. I feel like he didn't even want to. I know that above anyone else,
siya ang pinaka-disappointed sa akin ngayon.
Even the next day, Kuya Zoren didn't even talk nor look at me. Masamang-masama ang
loob niya. It's obvious. I remember how he looked last night. He was livid land
that was the first time that I saw him like that. He was so angry at North like
they weren't bestfriends. Para siyang nakatingin lang sa kaaway niya kagabi. Parang
nakalimutan niya ang pinagsamahan nila just because of my lie.
Nagkulong ako sa kwarto ko buong maghapon. I didn't talk to anyone. Nakahiga lang
ako sa kama at nagpapanggap na tulog everytime my Mom would go in to check on me.
Kahit si Andrea na panay ang tawag sa akin, hindi ko kinausap.
I felt so bad. Sobra kong nakokokensya. Parang ang dami kong nasira dahil lang sa
kasinungalingan ko. Hindi ko alam kina Mommy at Daddy kung anong nararamdaman nila
towards North's family but I know that something changed.
Especially with how my Dad excused ourselves with the dinner yesterday.
Especially with Kuya Zoren.
I don't know what I should do. It was a span of the moment reaction. I felt
threatened and shocked but still...it was horrible.
Babawiin ko ba ang sinabi ko? Am I ready with the consequences? Mapapahiya ang
pamilya ko, I know. I just told a lie in front of everyone. Baka tuluyan nang
masira ang pagiging magkaibigan ng pamilya naming sa mga Alvarado.
And North might not even talk to me forever. Worse, baka nga sila ni Mia ang
magkatuluyan.
I don't want that to happen!
Gabi na nang pumasok ulit si Mommy sa kwarto ko, carrying my dinner. Dahil gutom na
at ayaw ko na siyang mas pag-alalahanin pa, I sat up on my bed and accepted the
food.
"How are you feeling?" she asked as she sat down on the side of my bed. She
caressed my hair and I felt the warmth of her comfort.
"I'm fine, Mom. Nakapagpahinga na po."
She just nodded and didn't say anything. Nagsimula na rin akong kumain pero tumigil
din agad pagkatapos malunok ang unang kutsara ng pagkain sa bibig ko.
"Is Dad angry?" kinakabahan kong tanong.
Dad didn't say anything about what happened last night kaya mas lalo akong
kinakabahan. Feeling ko ay galit siya.
Mom smiled at me and shook her head.
"No... But he's disappointed 'cause you didn't tell us about your pregnancy or even
about North. We didn't know about your relationship with him, anak."
"I'm sorry." Napayuko ako. Napatitig lang sa pagkain.
"It's okay, Rylee. At least now, we know about it. Just don't keep any secrets from
us again, okay?"
Tumango lang ako at hindi na nakapagsalita. Mas lalo lang nadadagdagan ang mga
kasinungalingan ko sa kanila.
I feel like I am the worst daughter in the world.
"Si Kuya Zoren, Mom... Hindi ako kinakausap," naiiyak kong sabi.
I know that he likes to tease me. Madalas din siyang nabubwisit sa pagiging makulit
at pasaway ko sa kanya pero hindi siya nagalit sa akin. Ngayon lang talaga. And I
don't know what to do.
Talaga bang hindi niya ako papansinin just because I fell in love with North?
I need him! I need his support. Lalo na ngayong sobra akong natatakot sa kung anong
magiging masamang bunga ng kasinungaling ko.
"Give him time, Rylee," Mom softly said. "Alam mo naman ang Kuya Zoren mo. He
protected you since you were young. He was your hero. He just couldn't accept that
you have a man in your life now."
"He's not angry at me?" I asked worriedly.
Mom shook her head.
"Your brother will never get angry at you. Siguro nagtatampo. Pero mawawala rin
'yan. Just give him time."
I nodded and smiled at her. Pinagpatuloy ko na ang pagkain ko.
I really hope that what Mom said is true. I couldn't take it if my brother is angry
with me. He's always been the best brother to me.
Napatingin kami sa pinto nang may kumatok doon. The maid opened the door of my room
after I gave my permission.
"Ma'am? Nasa baba po si Sir North. Gusto raw po kayong makausap," the maid said,
looking at my Mom.
Biglang bilis ng tibok ng puso ko nang marinig ang pangalan ni North. Pero agad
ding na-disappoint nang marinig ang sinabi ng maid.
So si Mom lang ang gusto niyang makausap? Not me?

I still went downstairs with my Mom kahit hindi naman ako sigurado kung gusto rin
akong makausap ni North. I wanted to see him after what happened last night. Plus,
gusto ko ring marinig ang sasabihin niya kay Mommy.
My Dad was already talking with North when we got to the living room. They were
both standing up as they talk kahit may mga sofa naman.
North was formally talking with my Dad. He looked so dashing in his casual cream-
colored polo shirt that was tucked in with his black trousers. Our eyes immediately
met habang naglalakad kami palapit sa kanila ni Dad na mas nagpabilis pa sa tibok
ng puso ko.
"Good evening, Mrs. Sandoval," he greeted my Mom then looked at me. "Good evening,
Rylee."
Napalunok lang ako at tinanguan siya. Suddenly, I couldn't find my voice. Not after
I remembered how I lied last night. I felt so guilty. Mukhang napansin din ni North
ang pagiging tahimik ko. I saw the confusion on his eyes with my actions.
"Good evening, hijo," my Mom greeted back kaya napatingin si North sa kanya.
"Anong sadya mo?"
"I'm sorry for this sudden visit, Mr. Sandoval... Mrs. Sandoval. But I wanted to
talk with you."
"About last night," diretsong sabi ni Dad at napatango si North.
"I should've done this last night but I fixed everything with my family first," he
said. His eyes never faltered as he talked with my parents.
He glanced at me before he took a deep breath and looked at my Mom and Dad again.
"I want to take responsibility of Rylee, Sir, Ma'am... And I'm here to ask for your
permission."
www.wattpad.com
23 - 29 minutes
Chapter 8
Hearing it from his own lips is unbelievable, my heart hammered inside my chest.
The mixture of emotions filled me while looking at him seriously saying that.
He'll...he'll take responsibility of me?
"North..." I called and our eyes met, mas kinabahan ako nang masalubong ko ang mga
mata niyang may hindi ko mabasang emosyon. Ni hindi ko alam kung galit siya o hindi
dahil sa walang reaksyon akong mahanap doon.
"Let's sit first, everyone." My Mom decided to cut the silence, she touched my
forearm, leading me towards the couch at sumunod naman sina Dad doon.
Nanlalamig ako habang nakaupo, nag-aantay ng pag-uusapan. My Mom asked the helpers
from some refreshments and North was just quiet while staring on the floor.
He looked confused and in pain right now at nasasaktan din ako, iniisip ang mali
kong nagawa.
"What are you planning to do, North?" my Dad's strict voice filled our living room.
I saw how North moistened his lower lip, brushing his hair gently with his fingers
before glancing at my father and my Mom.
"I want to make this right, Sir, Ma'am..." he started off before his eyes found
mine. "I'd like to take responsibility for Rylee."
My heart quickened, I saw the intensity on his black eyes as he stared at me.
It was deep and serious.
"N-North..." I called, the guilt slowly creeping in again. "I-I'm not..."
Napatingin sa akin sina Mommy, North's forehead creased at kaagad akong natakot at
kinabahan, mabilis na umiling at nagbaba ng tingin.
"W-wala, sorry..." I bit my lower lip, binabawi ang dapat ay sasabihin. "I'm sorry
f-for giving you this responsibility—"
"Anong sinasabi mo, Rylee?" Dad cut me off kaya nag-angat ako ng tingin sa kanya.
"What are you saying? Na ikaw lang ang magpapalaki sa anak mo? You two did that so
you two must take responsibility for it!"
Nagulat ako sa pagtaas ng boses niya pero kaagad siyang kumalma nang umiling si
Mommy at kinalma siya.
"Shh, don't shout, Frank." Mom hissed lowly, "natatakot sa 'yo ang anak mo."
"I'll take responsibility for this, Sir." North speak up again, the determination
on his eyes is visible while saying that.
"North..."
"Anak ko rin 'yan, Rylee." He said when he heard me, still staring intently.
"And I want to take responsibility for what we did."
Mas bumilis ang pintig ng puso ko, masaya na ganito ang nangyayari...na papanagutan
niya ako pero sa kabila nito'y may takot na namumuo, iniisip kung paano kapag
nalaman niyang lahat ng ito ay kasinungalingan.
Will he find out about my deceits?
But...maybe, maybe I can try making him fall for me, harder this time. Para kapag
nalaman niya ay hindi na siya magagalit sa akin?
"You have to tell your brother about this, Rylee." Dad told me after hearing it.
"Ako na po ang kakausap kay Zoren, Sir." North said, "I apologize for the trouble."
"Hays..." Mom sighed, shaking her head and leaned on the sofa. "I didn't know
something is going on between you and my daughter."
Hindi kami kaagad nakasagot ni North doon, nagkatinginan pa kaming dalawa at sumagi
sa akin ang ala-ala no'ng isang gabing iyon dito mismo sa bahay, noong nalasing
siya.
"Well, I know for a fact na magkakilala na talaga kayong dalawa. Mag-bestfriend pa

kayo ng Zoren ko pero hindi ko naisip na may relasyon kayo nitong Rylee ko? No
offense but I'm genuinely curious, North, hijo...kayo ba ni Mia?"
I was startled by that sudden question, kumuyom ang kamay ko nang marinig iyon mula
sa kanya. Tumitig ako sa mukha ni North at nakita ko ang bahagya niyang pag-iling
at pagsulyap sa kamay niya.
"Mia's just my friend, Ma'am." He answered, "I have no time for relationships these
days, abala po sa trabaho."
"What's your relationship with my daughter?" nabakas ko kaagad ang disgusto sa

boses ni Dad. "Don't tell me—"
"H-he's my boyfriend po!" I exclaimed, stopping everyone. Nakita ko ang pagsulyap

sa akin ng mga magulang at si North ay napatitig din. "W-we're together for months
now, uh, we kept it a secret first since b-baka po magalit si Kuya...o kaya po ay
kayo."
"Is that true, North?" Dad asked him.

I noticed the confusion on North's eyes pero pinanlakihan ko lang siya ng mata at
mukhang nakuha niya iyon kaya sumulyap siya kay Dad at tumango ng marahan.
"My apologies, Sir. We should have told you sooner." He said instead kaya gumaan
kahit papaano ang pakiramdam ko.
"I still can't believe this," Mom uttered, sighing, "just last time, I remembered
me and Lyka talking about you two, kung may possibility na p'wede kayong dalawa
dahil wala naman kaming alam na karelasyon n'yo tapos ngayon..." a small smile on
her lips rose.
"What did Lyka said? How about your family?" ani Dad kay North kaya sumulyap siya
roon at napatango.
"They were shock too but they're fine with it, Sir." He answered formally.
"They also want me to take responsibility of Rylee and I am planning too, even
without them telling me."
"That's good," Mom heaved a relived sigh. "I know you, North, for years now and I
know you're a good man. I would trust you'll take care of my daughter and
my...grandchild." Sumulyap siya sa tiyan ko kaya napahawak ako roon at tinignan
siya.
"Mom..."
"I was shocked knowing about this, anak." Mom smiled at me, "I should be mad but we
can't do it now since it's already there, you are old enough to decide for yourself
so, please be responsible, okay?"
I nodded, smiling a bit.
"Okay po..." I answered. "S-sorry pa rin po sa nangyari, Mom, Dad...North."
Bumaling ako sa kanya na napansin kong nakatitig sa tiyan ko.
"Oh, siya...ang mahalaga'y maayos tayong lahat dito." Mom said and sighed,
"but North, hijo, makakausap mo ba si Zoren? Bakit hindi niya alam ang tungkol sa
inyo ng kapatid niya?"
I saw the hesitation on his eyes at first but he squeezed his eyes shut for a brief
time before opening it again and stared at my Mom.
"He doesn't want me for Rylee, Ma'am." Aniya at nagulat din ako, hindi alam kung
totoo iyon o sinabi lang para may maidahilan.
"Why not?" Mom asked, naguguluhan din. "He's your bestfriend, North."
Hindi nakaimik si North at napasulyap lang sa kanyang kamay.
"You should talk to him, okay? Fix this hanggang maaga pa. Don't let what happened
mess with the friendship you two had, hmm?"
"Yes, Ma'am." North nodded. "I'm sorry. I'll fix this."
"We should leave you two alone first, I supposed you two haven't spoken yet?
About this?" Dad asked and we both nodded.
"Alright," Mom sighed and glanced at the coming helpers. "Saan n'yo gustong mag-
usap na dalawa? Doon na lang dadalhin ang refreshments at para may mainom kayo."
"Sa may balcony na lang po, Mom." I answered, glancing at North who's staring at
me. "That's if...ayos lang sa 'yo?"
"Let's go," North said and stood kaya napatayo na rin ako.
My Mom told the helpers to take the snacks in there, nauna naman ako sa balcony na
maglakad, kinakabahan at nag-aalangan. I can feel North walking behind me silently,
I can feel his stares on my back.
The cold wind touched my face when I got out, sa halip na maupo sa upuan doon ay
nagdesisyon akong pumunta sa may railing at humawak, inaangat ang tingin sa madilim
na gabi at nakita ang mga bituin sa itaas, maliwanag pero kakaunti at halos wala.
When I felt his presence beside me and smelled his perfume, mabilis akong lumingon
at nakita siyang seryosong humahawak din sa railing, ang malakas na hangin mula sa
labas ay nagpagulo ng bahagya sa kanyang buhok.
"North..." I called.
"Kailan mo pa nalaman?" he asked, hindi tumitingin.
Kaagad akong kinabahan, kinagat ko ang labi at kaagad na nag-isip ng isasagot.
"When I was in abroad," I said. "I-I was delayed so...I tried to take a test and
it's positive."
Gosh, I'm so sorry...this lies would take me to hell.
"Bakit hindi mo kaagad sinabi?" he asked me again, his tone is stone cold and it
made me more nervous.
"B-because I was scared..." no, because I'm really not pregnant, North!
"You could have told me over the phone, Rylee!" his voice suddenly rose when he
looked at me kaya suminghap ako at humigpit ang hawak sa railings.
"How could I tell you? I was in abroad! And—and I wanted to tell you in person, I
was scared you won't take a responsibility."
"I'm an asshole and I was drunk that night pero hindi ko tatakbuhan ang
responsibilidad ko sa 'yo, Rylee Addison." His voice is firm with finality, ang
itim na mga mata'y desidido at sigurado sa mga desisyon. "That's also my child,
hindi lang sa 'yo, Rylee."
"I know..." I puffed a breath. "K-kaya nga natatakot akong sabihin, isa pa, akala
ko kayo ni Mia?"
"She's not involved in this, this is only in between us, Rylee." Aniyang seryoso,
"you could have told me about this but what you did is to blurt it out of nowhere
during the dinner?"
"Because I was annoyed!" I explained, tuluyan na siyang hinarap kaya gano'n din ang
kanyang ginawa. "That Mia, that woman provoked me, North!"
"Wala siyang kinalaman dito, Rylee—"
"Yes, she is!" I gasped, "I don't want to sound like a nagger and a freak but I was
annoyed at her! Sasabihin ko na dapat sa 'yo ang tungkol dito pero nagalit ako nang
marinig ko 'yong usapan sa dinner! I couldn't control myself and blurted it out,
masisisi mo ba ako, huh? Imagine hearing the father of your child na may
inireretong ibang babae? Do you think you'll be okay?!"
huli na nang matanto kong lumakas ang boses ko habang sinasabi iyon.
Nakita ko ang seryoso niyang titig, nakaharap na rin ng tuluyan sa akin. His one
hand is touching the railing with the other on his pocket.
"I-I'm sorry..." kaagad akong nahiya at nagbaba ng tingin sa kanya, "I was just
annoyed, hindi ko na uulitin."
"Is that what they call mood swings?" what I heard from him next stunned me,
inangat ko kaagad ang tingin sa kanya at nahuli ko siyang nakatitig sa reaksyon ko.
"H-huh?"
"The way you act, that's what they call mood swings, right?" he looked genuinely
curious, "they said it's what mothers' feels when they're pregnant."
Mood swings? No way, North. I wasn't pregnant! Just...jealous.
"I guess so," sagot ko na lang at hinawi ang buhok. "I'm sorry, I should've calmed
down before blurting it out like that. It wasn't my intention na mapapahiya ka sa
dinner."
"We can't take it back, anyway." He muttered kaya muli akong tumitig sa kanya at
nakita kong bumuntonghininga siya at isinara ang mata ng mariin. "I admit I'm still
not ready to be a father, Rylee."
Kaagad na humapdi ang puso ko sa narinig mula sa kanya kahit wala naman akong
karapatan. I even lied to him and now...why the heck am I hurting?
"But I wanted to take care of our baby and you." It was the sincerest words I'd
ever heard from him and I was already in the verge of crying kung hindi lang siya
muling nagsalita.
"But give me time," he sighed, muling sumulyap sa harapan kaya muling bumagsak ang
balikat ko. "I still wasn't sure about everything. Give me time to think about us
first, about this."
After knowing I'm pregnant...he's still not sure about me?
Hindi na kami muling nag-usap pagkatapos no'n, tahimik akong sumimsim ng juice na
bigay nila Mommy habang nakaupo na sa upuan, pinagmamasdan ang langit at gano'n din
siya, kailangan nga lang niyang umalis pagkatapos no'n para sa trabaho kaya
inihatid ko siya sa sasakyan.
"Can I see you tomorrow?" marahang tanong ko nang makarating kami sa sasakyan niya.
He glanced at me and I immediately praised his look for tonight. Still the old
North, attractive and handsome without any effort.
"I have work tomorrow," aniya nang magsalubong ang mata namin.
"Bibisita lang ako saglit," I told him. "I just want to see you."
"I'll be on a site visit today, Ry—"

"But our baby wants to see you!" I exclaimed, stopping him.
I saw a glint on his eyes, nagbaba niya ng tingin sa tiyan ko kaya marahang humawak
ako roon at lumunok, hinahanap muli ang mata niya.
"K-kasama raw sa pagbubuntis ang paglilihi kaya sa tingin ko...ano, ikaw ang
pinaglilihian ko." I lied because it was just my selfish wanting, to see him.
"Really?" he looked lost and confused, naglakad siya palapit sa akin at inangat ng
bahagya ang kamay para hawakan ang tiyan ko pero biglang kumuyom.
"Can I..." he looked hesitant, "can I touch your stomach—"
A loud scream left my mouth when suddenly, he fell on the ground. Gulat na gulat
ako nang makitang ang Kuya ay nandito at sinuntok ang pisngi niya.
"Fuck you! What are you doing here, huh?!" he cursed loudly, sa gulat ko ay hindi
ako kaagad nakakakilos kaya nahatak niya sa lapag si North at inambahan ng suntok.
"Kuya!" I screamed loudly to stop him.
"Gago ka! Sinabi ko ba sa 'yong lapitan ang kapatid ko?!" Galit niyang sigaw.
"Zoren, let me explain." Mahinahon pa ring sabi ni North kahit may dugo na ang
kanyang labi sa suntok ng kapatid ko. "I came here to—"
"I don't care! Fuck you!" My brother was fuming mad and this is what pains me to
see.
"Help!" sigaw ko na, tinatawag ang atensyon ng mga kasama sa bahay para mailayo ang
Kuya ko kay North na hindi papaawat sa hila ko. "Kuya, let go of him!"
"Shut up, Rylee! H'wag kang makisali rito!" he scolded me, ni hindi man lang
nabubuwal kahit anong hila ko na sa kwelyo niya.
"Kuya!" I frustratedly called again when he gave North another punch.
"Help..." baling ko sa pamilyang papalapit na sa amin. "Mom! Dad! Help!"
sigaw ko ng malakas at ang Daddy ang mabilis na nakarating, isang hatak lang sa
Kuya ko ay napalayo na.
"I'll fucking kill you—"
"Zoren!" Mom called his name loudly, stopping him. Bakas pa ang galit sa kanyang
mga mata nang balingan si Mommy. "What are you doing?!"
"Mom, that asshole—"
"Ama 'yan ng pinagbubuntis ng kapatid mo!" She exclaimed angrily, "calm down!"
"But—"
"Frank, take your son inside!" galit na sigaw ni Mommy at kahit anong piglas ng
Kuya ay wala na siyang nagawa, lalo na nang tumulong din ang mga guards na ipasok
siya sa mansyon.
I realized North's still seated on the ground kaya mabilis ko siyang nilingon at
tinulungan sa akmang pagtayo niya sa lapag. I held his arm and our eyes met while
he's standing up.
"North, pasensya na, hijo..." Ma'am sighed after saying that, "pagpasensyahan mo na
at hayaan mo'y kakausapin ko."
"I understand, Ma'am." North answered and Mom nodded, looking sad and regretful.
"I didn't know he'll come this early, I apologize, hijo. Papasok muna ako, kaya mo
bang umuwi mag-isa?"
"Yes, Ma'am."
"That's good to hear," Mom then smiled then glanced at me. "Ry, you take care of
your boyfriend first, kakausapin ko ang Kuya mo."
When she left, kaagad akong bumaling kay North na sinusundan siya ng tingin.
"North," tawag ko pero lumayo siya ng bahagya sa akin at umatras, inaalis ang hawak
ko sa braso niya.
"I'm fine," he said, parang wala lang na hinawi ang dugo sa labi pero nahuli ko ang
pag-ngiwi niya.
"North, may sugat ka—"
"I said I'm fine!" he hissed, startling me. Namilog ang mata ko sa biglaang pag-
angat niya ng boses sa akin at mukhang natanto niya rin iyon kaya suminghap siya at
umiling.
His jaw clenched, frustratedly, he brushing his hair with his finger, sighing.
"Just don't..." he shook his head, "don't talk to me for a while for now, Rylee.
Naguguluhan pa ako."
"But let me at least clean your—" his raised his finger, pinipigilan akong
magsalita kaya natikom ko ang labi.
"Not now, Rylee. Not now." He said and turned his back and when he got into his
car, I watched as he go, driving away from me.
I thought everything would be okay after that night but I was wrong. Instead of
this pretend pregnancy getting us closer, I felt like he's drifting away from me.
I stayed in our house for another day, trying to talk to my enraged brother but to
no avail. Sinabi sa akin ng Mommy na palamigin daw muna ang ulo ng Kuya at mukhang
nabigla rin sa biglaang pagsabi kong buntis ako at si North ang ama.
Adrian and Andrea visited me in our house, dinamayan nila ako at gusto ko mang
umiyak ay walang lumalabas na mga luha sa mata ko. Guilt was slowly eating me but I
couldn't take it back. After the mess I made, I know hindi ko na maiiaayos lang
ito.
I have to do something, to try hard so North would fall for me...deeply this time.
I never told my friends about me, lying. Nakita ko ang mga tingin sa akin ni Andrea
pero wala naman siyang sinasabi kaya hinayaan ko na. They comforted me, I watched
movies with them and asked if they could convince my parents to let me stay in my
condo unit so I could be alone.
At first, they refused but after convincing them for days, they agreed to let me
go. It wasn't new to me, dati naman ay occasionally akong nag-i-stay sa condo ko.
Nagsama sila sa akin ng isang house helper na stay in sa unit three times a week.
Of course, I am still working. May mga nakalinya pa rin sa aking modelling

projects, mostly mga damit o kaya cosmetics na p'wede ko pang gawin dahil hindi pa
malaki ang tiyan ko.
I stopped upon realizing something, napatawa ako sa sarili at umiling.
Hell, I am not really pregnant. Damn you, Rylee. Look what mess you got yourself
into?!
After a week, I found out North was still on his site visit for today kaya nanuod
ako ng video sa YouTube ng p'wedeng mailuto para sa kanya. I can cook a few dishes,
hindi nga lang expert pero alam kong kahit papaano'y masarap naman ang sisig na
niluto ko kay North.
This is his favorite, he likes it whenever it's spicy. Naalala ko kapag umaalis
sila ni Kuya Zoren at kumakain tapos ay nakikisali ako ay madalas niyang order ito
kapag mayroon kaya masaya akong nagawa ko ito ngayon.
Inilagay ko iyon sa paper bag, nagtimpla pa ako ng lemon juice at nagdala ng
kaunting cookie na binake ko bago nagmaneho papunta sa site.
I didn't tell him of my appearance, sinabi ko lang sa text no'ng papalapit na ako
na pupunta ako kaya pagdating ko pa lang sa site ay nakita ko na siyang nakaabang
sa akin sa may guard, nakasandal sa pader at may hard hat sa ulo.
"North ko!" I waved happily when I saw him at kunot lang ang noo niya habang
naglalakad papunta sa akin.
"What are you doing here?" seryoso niyang tanong.
"Hmm, visiting you." Masaya kong sagot, nakangiti pa ng malambing sa kanya.
He eyed me seriously and I silently complimented how good he is today, as usual.

He's only wearing a brown shirt and maong pants yet he stands out. His arms are
firm, his shoulders are broad, plus the way the fabric hugged his sexy body.
"Rylee Addison, it's dangerous here. Go home." Malamig niyang sabi.
"Oh? Why?" I asked, tumingin sa likod niya at napansing may mga nagtatrabaho nga
roon. "Ah, ito 'yong bagong housing project n'yo nila Kuya?"
Hindi siya umimik, humalukipkip siya habang tinititigan ako kaya ngumiti ako ng
malambing at inilahad ang dress ko.
"Ayos lang naman ang suot ko, 'di ba?"
"You can't go here in heels, Sandoval." He said coldly, "may mga basa pang semento,
lulubog ang heels mo."
"Edi hindi ako dadaan sa may mga semento," I smiled again. "Come on, just let me
in. Titignan ko lang work mo, 'tsaka bibisita na rin, I even cooked lunch for you!"
inilahad ko pa ang paper bag pero sinulyapan niya lang iyon at muling tumitig sa
akin.
"Go home. It's dangerous here, baka mahulugan ka ng kung ano." Aniya, walang
pasabing tinalikuran ako kaya suminghap ako at humabol.
"North!" I exclaimed, mabilis na humabol at kumapit sa braso niya pero napatili

nang may matapakan at bahagyang mawalan ng balanse.
"Fuck!" he cursed and quickly caught my waist, sabay na nanlaki ang mata namin sa
gulat. "The fuck are you doing, Rylee!" he exclaimed, mabilis akong inalalayan kaya
napakapit ako sa braso niya at umayos ng tayo.
"Sorry..." I gasped.
"Be careful, paano kung nadapa ka? Stop running! Paano kung madisgrasya ka r'yan,
huh?" masungit niyang pagalit kaya kumurap ako at kumalabog ang puso.
"S-sorry...sorry, I'm fine." I said and while staring at me, the irritation on his
eyes vanished and was replaced with concern.
"Are you okay?" he then asked me, ang kamay niya ay pumirmi sa baywang ko habang
sumusulyap sa mata ko. "Sumakit ba ang tiyan mo? Ang baby?"
I blinked back and shook my head, blushing.
"Okay lang kami ng...baby natin." I said, staring back at him and he licked his
lower lip, naiiling na mas inayos ang tayo ko.
"Be careful, woman. I get that you missed me but you just can't run around like a
kid, you're pregnant with my child and I don't like you being careless like that."
Pagalit niya pero sa halip na sumama ang loob ko o ano ay mas napangiti lang ako.
He was staring at me seriously but my gaze wasn't like that, sa halip ay pakiramdam
ko'y kumikinang ang mata ko kakatitig sa kanya.
"I knew it, patay na patay ka rin sa akin." I said and he stopped, umawang ang labi
niya at nang ngumisi ako ay bigla siyang umiling at humiwalay.
"You're unbelievable," he started off and walked away from me pero napatawa ako ng
malakas at sumunod.
"North ko, wait for me!" I exclaimed and attempted to run pero mabilis niya akong
nilingon at sinamaan ng tingin.
"Don't you dare run, Sandoval." He hissed kaya napaayos ako ng tayo at mahinhin na
naglakad.
"Okay!" I answered, "pero kainin mo muna 'tong foods na niluto ko—"
"No." Aniya, muling naglakad kaya humaba na ang nguso ko at napasipa sa daan.
"Rylee?" natigil ako nang marinig ang pangalan ko, lumingon ako at kaagad na
nanlaki ang mata nang matanto kung sino 'yon.
"Oh my...Liam?!" I called happily. He's my co-model way back when I have projects
abroad!
"I knew it was you," he smiled, may suot na hard hat at nakapormal na polo at
pants.
"Hello! Hala, nakakagulat naman." Napatakip ako sa bibig, "you're here!"
He walked towards me, smiling.
"I'm an Architect in this project," he said kaya umawang ang labi ko sa gulat.
"Wow! That's nice! I didn't know you're one when we met before!" I exclaimed in
amazement and he smiled and nodded.
"Well, at least you know now." He smiled handsomely, "nice meeting you again, Ry.
You look prettier."
Napatawa na ako at hinawi ang buhok ko, "naku, makabola ka naman diyan, Architect!
Mas gumwapo ka rin ngayon!" I teased kaya nagkatawanan kaming dalawa.
"What are you doing here, anyway?" he asked.
"Ah, my brother's the head for this project. Nakibisita lang." Ngiti ko at napaisip
siya at biglang gulat na sumulyap.
"You mean, Zoren Sandoval's your brother?" mangha niyang tanong at tumango ako, may
malaking ngiti.
"Yeah, nakibisita lang ako." I said and smiled.
"That's great to hear, nga lang wala pa rito si Sir." He said, "anyway, it's lunch
time, kumain ka na ba?"
"Uh, not yet." I answered and lifted the paper bag, "may dala akong food—"
"Baby, what took you so long?" a husky whisper and a warmth hand touching my waist
stunned me, naiwan sa ere ang paper bag at gulat akong napatingin kay North na
seryosong nakatayo sa gilid ko.
My heart jumped after hearing him.
"North?" I called and he glanced at me, ang isang kamay ay inabot ang hawak ko at
kinuha.
"I believe you cooked this for me," he said and gripped the paper bag's handle,
muling bumaling kay Liam na nagtataka sa amin. "You're an Architect, right?" he
asked Liam.
"Yes," he answered and offered his hand. "Architect Liam Garcia."
"I see. North Alvarado, co-owner and Rylee's boyfriend." He introduced himself with
a cocky smile on his lips, not accepting Liam's hand.
www.wattpad.com
20 - 25 minutes
Chapter 9
I could feel the tension in between them. Si Liam ay nanatiling nakalahad ang kamay
sa ere at si North ay tila walang pakialam, mukhang walang balak na tanggapin ang
kamay ng huli kaya tumikhim ako at inabot ang kamay ni Liam.
"Masaya rin si North na makilala ka," I said with a small smile, shaking Liam's
hand.
He smiled and gently gripped my hand for a handshake, at hindi ko lang alam kung
ilang segundo kaming gano'n kung hindi lang mas humawak sa baywang ko si North at
pasimpleng hinila ang kamay ko paalis kay Liam kaya kinuha ko rin nang marahan.
I chuckled awkwardly. Pasimple akong humawak din sa baywang ni North bago sumulyap
kay Liam na papalit-palit ang tingin sa amin.
"So...you two are..."
"Yes, yes." I nodded, glancing at the serious North beside me. "Uh, pasensya na
pala, Liam. Kain lang kami nitong boyfriend ko."
Liam nodded, sumulyap pa kay North at tumaas ang sulok ng labi.
"Alright, then. Eat well," he said before looking at me. "Ry, I'll see you later?"
"Oh, sure..." ngiti ko.
"We have plans later."
Nagitla ako sa muling pagsasalita ni North, seryoso pa rin ang titig niya kay Liam.
"Oh, then tomorrow—"
"And tomorrow and the next days too," malamig niyang sagot at suminghap na ako.
Nakita kong nagtagisan pa ang dalawa ng tingin kaya ngumisi ako at kumaway kay
Liam.
"Sige, ano, Liam, kapag free ako kakain tayo!" I said happily and he glanced at me
and smiled, nodding.
"Alright—"
"No fucking way—"
"North!" I hissed and touched his wrist, muling kumaway kay Liam at halos hatakin
na si North paalis dahil baka gumawa ng eksena sa irita niya.
Hila-hila ko si North habang papalayo kami. Nakabusangot siya nang lingunin ko at

nang magkatinginan ay nakita ko ring salubong na ang kilay niya.
When he caught me looking, he pulled his hand from me. Nagitla ako kaya nabitawan
ko at tumikhim siya, nag-iwas ng tingin at naglakad, nilalagpasan ako.
Of course I followed him. Kumapit pa ako sa braso niya habang naglalakad at nakita
ko ang pagbaling niya sa akin, pero hindi naman ako pinaalis, he just let me be. He
even opened the door to his office when we were about to enter.
Dire-diretsong siyang naglakad papasok at ako'y nanatiling nakakapit at nakasunod,

at doon na siya bumuntonghininga.
"Rylee Addison, sit," he said seriously.

"Hmm, why?" I asked, flashing a sweet smile.
His intense eyes stared at me intently before sighing. "I said sit there." He
pointed at the couch nearby at dinaanan ko lang 'yon ng tingin bago muling bumaling
sa kanya.
"Kain tayo?" aya ko at inangat muli ang paper bag na hawak.
Ang gatla sa kanyang noo ay mas lumalim nang marinig ang sinabi ko. His eyes fell
on the paper bag I was holding and he frowned.
"You're asking me to eat that after you offered it to another man?" he asked,
sarcastic.
Sa halip na mainis sa pagka-sarcastic niya ay natawa ako, I quickly wrapped my arms

around his waist, burying my face on his shoulder, and I felt him stiffen.
"Sorry na, North ko..." lambing ko. "Akala ko kasi ayaw mo talaga."
"So if I don't like it then you'll give it to just anyone, huh?" he asked bitterly
and I felt him loosening up. "Hindi mo man lang ipipilit sa akin?"
"Sorry..." maliit kong boses na sabi. "Galit ka ba, North ko?"

Hindi siya sumagot noong una. Ramdam na ramdam ko ang paghe-hesitate niya, pero
pagkatapos ng isang buntonghininga ay unti-unti niyang iniangat ang kamay at
naramdaman ko ang marahang hawak niya sa likod ko.
"No." He tapped my back gently. "I'm not."
Hearing that gentle voice was like an angel whispering to me and I felt at ease.
Mas isiniksik ko ang mukha sa kanyang leeg, dinadama ang pakiramdam na ganito kami
kalapit ngayon sa isa't isa.
This kind of thing was rare for me, lalo na't hindi niya ako itinutulak ngayon
palayo.
"Aren't you hungry?" he asked, gently touching my head. Matangkad naman ako pero
dahil mas matangkad siya ay feel na feel ko ang pagkakalapit naming dalawa.
"Um, medyo," sagot kong halos pabulong.
"Then we should eat that," aniya, marahang lumalayo sa akin at hinawakan ang siko
ko.
"Saan?" I asked and he took the paper bag from me. Mula sa siko ay unti-unting
dumausdos ang kanyang kamay at halos mapigil ko ang hininga nang pagsaklupin niya
ang palad naming dalawa.
I felt happier when I saw how his fingers filled the gaps in between mine, gripping
it gently to pull me towards the couch.
Inalalayan pa niya akong paupo roon at gusto ko na sanang magreklamo no'ng kinuha
na niya ang kamay mula sa akin para may tawagan sa telepono.
"Hello, can you please bring us some drinks?" aniya sa kausap at habang nagsasalita
siya ro'n ay pinagmamasdan ko lang.
North was something else. He had this charisma around him na kahit walang
ginagawa'y malakas ang kanyang dating. He could just stare at you and you'd get
mesmerized and lost. Sa akin ay gano'n, siguro dagdag ang factor dahil mahal ko
siya?
But I was sure he had the same effect on other girls. Noon pa naman kasi ay ganyan
na ang epekto ni North, kolehiyo pa lang sila ni kuya.
"What drinks would you like?" baling sa akin ni North.
"Iced coffee?" I answered and his forehead creased.
"You're pregnant with our child, Rylee," he told me seriously kaya suminghap ako at
napatakip sa bibig.
Hindi ako sigurado kung saan ako namamangha sa totoo lang. Sa sinabi niya o sa
kaalamang 'buntis' nga pala ako't kailangang mag-ingat.
"Sorry!" I exclaimed. "B-Bawal pala?"
He eyed me intently, as if I said something wrong, and then he sighed, shaking his
head.
"Ano bang masarap?" I asked and smiled at him. Napansin ko ang biglang pagkakatigil
niya habang nakatitig sa akin. "North? Anong yummy?"
"You..." he answered and my eyes widened.
"What—"
"You—think of it." Nag-iwas siya ng tingin sa akin. "Baka mamaya mamili ako tapos
ayaw mo pala."
Nangisi ako roon at tumango, sumasandal sa sofa at humahalukipkip.

"Fresh mango juice na lang, North ko," I answered before smiling again, and he
stared at me and smirked.
"Fresh mango juice for my girlfriend," utos niya sa kausap at napatalon ako sa
upuan. Kung gulantang ako sa naririnig kanina ay mas lalo na ngayon.
"Thanks."
When he dropped the call, our eyes met and he noticed my face kaya tumaas ang kilay
niya.
"What?" he asked me coldly.
"I-I'm..." Hindi makapaniwalang napahawak ako sa dibdib ko at napapatawa na,
"I'm your girlfriend, North?!"
He gave me a weird look. Nagkibit-balikat siya at walang salitang naupo sa tabi ko

at inabot ang paper bag na dinala ko.
"What food did you bring?" he asked as if he said nothing, kaya pinalo ko ang
balikat niya.
"North!" I snapped. "Ano 'yong sinabi mo?"
"What did I say?" walang pakialam niyang tanong kaya pinalo ko na ang hita.
"North Dominic!" I called, annoyed.
"Hmm?" he asked, glancing my way.
I glared at him and the side of his lips rose. "What?" he asked.
"Ano 'yong sinabi mo..."
"Wala naman, ah?" he asked, hiding a smile, and when I stomped my feet he chuckled.
"Why? Are you shocked?"
"Sinong hindi?!" nguso ko. "You...you just declared I'm your girlfriend!"
"It'll be weird hearing I got you pregnant when we weren't together in the first
place," he told me, at parang tangang nakatulala lang ako sa kanya roon.
"So...tayo na nga? Girlfriend mo na ako?" I asked excitedly.
"No," he said and smiled a bit kaya ngumuso na ako.
"North ko nga!" I whined. "Paanong hindi tayo?! Sabi mo nga sa kausap mo—"
"Joke lang 'yon," he answered, seryoso pa.
"Joke pero seryoso ang mukha mo!" reklamo ko at sumimangot na.
"What's wrong with it?" He chuckled. "Should I laugh while saying it's a joke? I
was just saying you're my girlfriend so they won't talk behind your—"
"E 'di huwag!" I hissed and pouted. Mas kumunot ang noo ko at iniiwas ang tingin sa
kanya, iritadong sumasandal sa couch.
"Ry..." he called.
Hindi ako umimik. Kita ko mula sa gilid ng mata ko ang nag-aalangang tingin ni
North sa mukha ko pero hindi ako lumingon. I remained sitting there, frowning.
"Rylee Addison..." he said again, touching my forearm, but I moved it away,
iritadong umusog ako sa pinakadulo ng sofa.
"Rylee," he said, at nagulat ako sa biglaang paglambing ng boses—pero hindi ako

papaapekto!
Naramdaman ko ang paglubog ng sofa malapit sa akin, sensyales na umusog na siya.

Muling humaplos ang kamay niya sa braso ko at bumulong, "Ry...galit ka?"
"Hmp!" I hissed but he only chuckled in my ear.
"Come on, look at me," he muttered but I didn't, nanatili akong nakatitig sa
kawalan kahit na gusto nang sumabog sa sayang nararamdaman. "Are you mad? Is this
what they call mood swings?"
Hindi pa rin ako umimik.
"Ry...baby..." he whispered, at mas mabilis pa sa alas kwatrong nilingon ko siya.
Nanlalaki ang mata ko at nakita ko ang gulat niya pero mabilis na sumulyap sa tiyan
ko.
"Baby..." He pointed at my stomach. "How's...how's our baby inside your stomach?"
"You called me 'baby'!"
"No, I am referring to my baby here..." aniya at sumulyap sa tiyan ko.
"North Dominic!" reklamo ko na at pinalo siya, pero nahuli niya lang ang kamay ko,
pinagsaklop ang daliri namin at hinila ako palapit sa kanya.
"Why? Galit ang buntis ko?" he asked, and damn the butterflies inside my
stomach...just...just damn.
"P-Paanong hindi magagalit?" halos putol-putol na sagot ko dahil nag-iinit ang
pisngi. "Paasa ka, e. Akala mo ba nakakatuwa?" reklamo ko.
"Oh, I'm sorry...sorry, baby." He smirked, bumaling sa tiyan ko bago sa akin,

mukhang nang-aasar pa.
"You brute—"
"Shh, huwag na galit." He smiled, and that itself was enough to brighten my mood.
His smiles were like the air I breathed and the light inside a dark room. Now and
then, I still couldn't see myself loving other man but him.
"Let's truce?" he asked, lifting my hand that he caught before placing a kiss at
the back of my palm, staring directly into my eyes.
"Baby mo muna ako," I asked in a soft voice and he chuckled, nodding his head at
me.
"Will that be enough for you to stop being mad at me?" he asked and I nodded.
"Alright, you'll be my mommy-baby and our child's the baby-baby?"
"Ano 'yan, Justin Bieber?" I asked at nang nagkatitigan kami ay nagkatawanan.
"Come on, let's check what you cooked for me," he said, gently placing his hand on
my waist, and my heart felt like it was doing somersaults.
Sabay kaming kumain. I cherished the moments while we were together for it was a
treasure for me. Mga bagay na matagal ko nang pinangarap at inihiling pero ngayon
lang natutupad pagkatapos ng ilang taong debosyon kong pagmamahal sa kanya.
"You cooked this?" he asked, tasting the sisig, and I smiled, nodding.
"Yes, I practiced it, you know? Gusto mo kasi 'yong maanghang kaya tinimplahan ko
'yan nang maayos, nagustuhan mo ba?" I asked.
He nodded. Sumandok siya at inilahad sa bibig ko ang kutsara, at pinipigilan ko ang

sariling kiligin habang ngumanganga para tanggapin iyon.
"It tastes good, how did you know I like this?"
Nilunok ko ang isinubo niya at inabot ang baso ng juice. Uminom ako bago siya
sinagot.
"Duh! Baka nakakalimutan mong dedicated lang sa 'yo ang puso ko!" I exclaimed,
rolling my eyes.
I noticed him checking me out. Nagtagal ang tingin niya na parang binabasa ako at
tumango siya sa akin.
"What you felt before was puppy love, Ry," aniyang seryoso. "You were just young
back then."
"Puppy love ka r'yan." Napailing ako at kinuha sa kanya ang kutsara para siya naman
ang subuan. "Hanggang ngayon nga gusto pa rin kita, sa tingin mo ba puppy love pa
rin 'to?"
He accepted the food, and while chewing, he was just silently watching me.
"What did you like about me, anyway?" he asked, and it made me think.
"I don't know, truth be told. I met you because you're my brother's friend.
Alam mo, iniisip ko rin kung anong nagustuhan ko sa 'yo kasi sa totoo lang masungit
ka, e. Attitude tapos suplado, porket gwapo."
"Wow..." He chuckled, mukhang 'di makapaniwala. "I was asking what you liked about
me and now you're insulting me?"
"Hindi 'yan insult, grabe ka naman!" tawa ko at pinalo ang braso niya. "What I mean
is, I was even asking myself before what I liked about you kasi hindi ka naman
friendly. Sa totoo lang, hindi ka nga crush material."
"Really, huh, Sandoval?" reklamo niya habang nakasimangot kaya natawa na ako at
inabot ang kanyang pisngi para kurutin.
"But you know what? I realized that I just...I just loved you. I can't say I have
no reasons at all because I do, and I think one of it is because you're good to me
despite being grumpy most of the time."
"You know what? I actually don't want to hear this anymore—"
"Shh! Let me speak, North ko," I said with a smile. "You're a gentleman, you've
saved me a lot of times before and I just...you know? Biglang sabi na lang ng puso
ko na North...North...North!" I said in a heartbeat-like tone, teasing, and I saw
him hiding a smile.
"You're silly." Napapikit ako nang pitikin niya na ang noo ko. "I'm older than you,
Ry. You should be calling me 'kuya'—"
"I won't call my baby 'Kuya', North." I smirked. "You're my baby's dad."
Napuno ng katahimikan ang kwarto matapos kong sabihin 'yon. Bumaba ang tingin niya
sa impis kong tiyan at unti-unting inabot iyon.
"Will our baby be okay?" he asked.
"Bakit naman hindi?" I asked. "Nand'yan ka naman tapos ako, maaalagaan naman natin
ang b-baby natin, ah?" sagot ko pa, pero hindi maiwasang mapaitan sa mga salitang
lumalabas sa bibig.
"Your brother's against this, Ry," he answered me. "Kahit na sabihin nating
papanagutan ko ang bata, ang kapatid mo naman."
"He'll understand you, North." I sighed. "He'll understand us. Si kuya...si kuya
galit lang 'yon ngayon pero naniniwala akong 'di 'yon magtatagal. He's
understanding and I know him, he'll be mad at first pero hindi ako n'on matitiis,
pangako. He'll accept this one of these days."
"Zoren will forgive you because you're his sister, Ry," he said. "But me? I am not
sure, he's my friend so I know another side of him. He warned me before not to mess
with you and here we are..."
"We're adults, North." I sighed. "And kuya will forgive you, magiging ayos kayo,
naniniwala ako. Hindi ko nga ma-gets kung bakit ayaw niya sa 'yo para sa akin, e,
mag-best friend naman kayo."
"Kasi alam niyang ayaw ko ng maingay at makulit," he said, at nang tumawa siya ay
gumaan na ang atmosphere sa amin.
Hindi namin napag-usapan ang relasyon namin at kung paano na kami, pero masaya
akong nakakasama ko na siya ngayon sa mga ganito. Before, para lang makasabay ko
siya sa pagkain ay nagpapanggap akong naliligaw sa college department, pero
ngayon...feeling ko sobrang nag-level up na ako.
Umabot ako ng hapon sa site. North just let me go with him, nagalit pa no'ng hindi
ako nagsuot ng hard hat kaya halos bulyawan ako noong nakita. He was beside me,
assisting me while walking sa takot niyang matisod ako sa mga bakal doon o kaya'y
sa mga buhangin at bato.
He was overprotective, at kahit seryoso man madalas ay iritado sa galaw ko ay

nakasunod siya sa akin at nakabantay.
Hinatid pa niya ako pagkatapos. While on the road, I saw a drive-thru donut shop
kaya tinuro ko iyon sa kanya.
"Why?"
"I like donuts, North ko," I said. "I saw na may bago silang flavors and I wanna
try!"
He nodded. He glanced at my stomach and his eyes turned gentle.
"Does our baby want donuts?" he asked and I was stunned.
"H-Huh?"
"I read in the articles na naglilihi raw ang mga buntis, naglilihi ka ba sa
donuts?" he asked and I panicked.
"Y-Yes!" I nodded immediately, smiling at him. "Gusto ng baby natin ng donuts."
When I saw the amazement in his eyes, I felt bad, but I managed to flash a smile
because he was looking at me.
"Favorite niya...'yong ano, 'yong munchkins," mabilis kong sagot and he nodded,
smiling. He maneuvered the car and got in line for the donuts I was requesting.
"What else do you want aside from that?" he asked habang naghihintay kami sa pila
at naramdaman ko ang malakas na kalabog ng dibdib, tila lalabas na sa katawan ko.
"Um..." Mabilis akong nag-isip. "Takoyaki!"
"I know a good place where you can eat that," he answered with a smile. "I'll buy
you some. Ano pa?"
"Uh..." Napalunok ako, at nang masalubong ang kuryoso niyang mga mata ay napatikhim
at tumawa nang mahina.
"Actually, hindi ko pa alam ang iba..." nasabi ko na lang at humawak nang bahagya
sa tiyan. "Baka ano, in the next months malalaman 'yong mga kine-crave pa ng baby
natin."
He smiled, nodding his head, and he reached for my stomach. My heart felt warmer
despite the nervousness when he did that.
"Hang in there, baby. We'll settle everything," North muttered softly, and drove
his car around to give the cashier our orders.
"One bucket of munchkins," ani North sa babae na tumango habang tumitipa.
"'Yon lang po ba, Sir?" she asked, and North glanced my way.
"Ry, is that it?" he asked me, and I stared at the cashier waiting for me and at
North before flashing a smile.
"Pa-add na rin po ng ano, strawberry donut," I answered, and North turned to me.
"Gusto ni baby ng strawberry?" he asked in amazement, and I was startled but

nodded, touching my stomach.
"Y-Yeah..."
"I see," North answered and looked at the cashier. "Miss, padagdag ng strawberry
pati 'yong ibang flavors n'yo d'yan na masarap. Mukhang nagke-crave kasi itong
buntis ko."
My heart pounded loudly and I gripped the hem of my skirt tightly.
Baby...
Damn, Rylee. What the hell did you get yourself into? Kaya mo bang panagutan?
We were quiet the whole ride on the way to my condominium, North must've sensed it
kaya panaka-naka'y bumabaling siya ng tingin sa akin, tila nag-oobserba pero 'di
nagsasalita.
"Stay there," North said, at kung hindi ko 'yon narinig ay marahil 'di ko alam na
nakarating na kami sa basement ng condo.
He opened the car door for me. I felt like a princess when he offered his hand to
me, assisting me as I walked out of his vehicle.
"Careful," he said in a gentle voice, slowly pulling me closer to him.
"Thank you, North ko," I said and smiled.
Hindi siya kaagad umimik, pinagmasdan niya ako kaya akala ko'y may dumi ang mukha
ko kaya nagtanong na.
"Something wrong?" I asked. "May dumi ba sa mukha ko?"
"You're silent," he noticed. "Is there something wrong?"
I am wrong, North. It's me.
"Wala naman..." I answered. "Bakit?"
He didn't answer me. Instead, he took the food we bought and carried it with his
one hand before placing his other at the small of my back, gently pulling me to
walk with him.
"North? Ayos lang, dito na ako."
"I'll take you to your unit," aniya.
"Okay lang talaga," I answered, medyo nahihiya na. "Ako na lang—"
"Just let me, Rylee Addison," he said seriously and stared at me. "Let me take you
home, okay?"
Nag-iba ang pakiramdam ko. Para akong naiiyak habang pinapakinggan ang boses niyang
iyon na puno ng concern kaya tumango na ako at ngumiti.
"Okay..." I said and placed my hand on his back while we're walking together
towards the entrance.
We rode the elevator and I saw North looking around the place, as if checking on
it. Hindi siya nagsasalita pero pansin na pansin ang pag-o-obserba niya sa
pasilidad doon.
"Are you safe here?" he asked and I nodded.
"Oo naman, bakit naman hindi?" I chuckled.
"I saw that the elevator beside this was under maintenance. Madalas bang nasisira
ang elevator dito?"
"Hmm, occasionally," I answered. "Minsan 'yong isa, minsan itong sinasakyan natin."
"What?" His forehead creased. "What do you do at times like that?"
"E 'di hagdan." I chuckled but he didn't find humor in it. Mas sumimangot lang siya
at iniikot ang tingin sa loob ng elevator.
"You can't use the stairs anymore, Ry. You're pregnant," he said kaya natawa ako at
sabay kaming lumabas sa elevator.
"Come on, I'm just at the fifth floor, kaya naman 'yan. Dati nga no'ng college ka,
nasa may seventh floor kayo pero araw-araw akong umaakyat doon para lang masilayan
ang ka-gwapuhan mo."
"Tss, that's different, you were young then and now, you're pregnant with my child.
You can't go up the stairs to much, you'll get tired," reklamo niya at natuwa ako.
"Sus, okay lang 'yan. Exercise ba?" I said and pointed at the door of my unit. "Oh,
dito na pala ako, North! Uwi ka na ba? Juice ka muna!" I said and punched in the
code to enter.
"Come with me," he blurted out kaya napatigil ako sa pagpindot at nilingon na siya.
"Hmm?"
"Come live with me, Rylee," he offered, looking directly into my eyes.
www.wattpad.com
16 - 20 minutes
Chapter 10
I just stared at him. I couldn't find any words to say. Ilang beses bumuka ang
bibig ko para magsalita but I just kept closing it in the end as I really didn't
know what to say.
My mind was in chaos at what he said. It was just a five-word sentence pero grabe
ang naging effect noon sa akin. I was hyperventilating deep inside but I didn't
want to look stupid in front of North, so I just stared at him and didn't say
anything!
Oh my gosh...what did he say? Did I even hear him right? He told me to go live with
him? Me and him...living together under the same roof?
It must've been a dream come true!
I felt like dreaming. Tinitigan ko pa si North nang mas matagal at kumurap ng ilang
beses.
Maybe I'll wake up from this good dream after blinking a lot of times. Or
maybe...these delusions will stop if I kept doing this!
Kung panaginip lang 'to, ayoko na sanang magising. If this was just an illusion, I
didn't want it to end. But I knew I was unfair to myself. Mas gusto ko pa kung
totoong North ang nasa harap ko at nagsabi nga ng ganoon sa akin, instead of just a
dream or some illusions.
The man I'd loved for so long now was offering me to live with him...
Si North ay nanatili lang ding nakatitig sa akin. He must've known that what he
said just shocked me to the core. He let me process everything and waited for me to
speak. Hindi niya inaalis ang tingin niya sa akin sa buong panahong iyon.
"Why?" was all that I could manage to say after a while of being silent.
After a while of battling and telling myself that this was really happening.
His forehead creased. Nagsalubong ang dalawa niyang makakapal na kilay habang
nakatingin sa akin. His dark eyes roamed around my face, parang may hinahanap
before he stared at me.
"What do you mean why?" he asked, titig na titig pa rin sa akin. "You're living
here in your condo alone. And you're pregnant with our child! Sa tingin mo hahayaan
na lang talaga kita with that setup?"
I sighed. "North, if this was just about the elevator, you have nothing to worry ab
—"
"This isn't just about the elevator, Rylee..." putol niya sa ano pa mang sasabihin
ko.
I was surprised when he held both of my shoulders and crouched down a bit so that
our eyes would level. Ramdam ko tuloy ang pagiging malapit namin sa isa't isa.
Heck, it was making my heart thump so loud and fast that I wished he wouldn't hear
because of our proximity.
Titig na titig siya sa akin and I could do nothing but stare back at his dark eyes.
Mas lalo pang nagiging madilim ang kulay ng mga mata niyang ngayon ay seryosong-
seryoso habang nakatitig sa akin.
"Listen to me, Rylee...this isn't just about you anymore. You are carrying our
child and I just can't let you live here alone. You need someone to take care of
you."
"If you're worried 'cause no one will take care of me, then I could just move back
to my parents' house—"
"I am the father of your child, Rylee...I should be the one taking care of you."
Natigilan ako at tumitig lang sa kanya.
Ah, yes...of course he was doing this for the 'baby'. Not because of me. He was
worried for the baby and not for me. He wanted me to be safe because of the baby.
He wanted to take care of me because I was carrying the baby.
What were you expecting, Rylee Addison? That he'd suddenly offer you to live with
him because he loved you? You've loved him for so long but things only changed for
you both because of the baby.
Kung alam niya lang na hindi ako buntis, then he would've never offered me his
home.
I was guilty. I knew what I was doing was wrong. At habang tumatagal ang
pagsisinungaling ko, mas lumalaki lang ang kasalanan ko. Maybe the first time was a
mistake. I blurted that lie in front of everyone because I was pissed that day.
Because of too much emotions bottling up. Pero ang ipagpatuloy ang kasinungalingang
iyon...it became a choice.
I should be excited. North was finally letting me be with him. Hindi na niya ako
tinutulak palayo. He was even pulling me closer to him.
But the guilt was too strong that I couldn't ignore it. Simula pa kanina.
Alam kong ginagawa lang ni North ang lahat dahil alam niyang buntis ako.
"I have to talk with my parents first..." I said.

Mukhang nagulat naman si North sa sinabi ko. He must've thought that I would accept
his offer immediately as he knew about my feelings for him—na kapag may pagkakataon
para makasama siya, basta ko na lang iyong susunggaban.
But now...the guilt was eating me. I couldn't even feel genuinely happy about this.
North was doing everything just for the sake of the baby. He didn't even know that
this was all fake.
I was deceiving him...pakiramdam ko na ang sama-sama kong tao dahil doon.
He stared at me. Tahimik lang siyang nakatitig sa akin. I stared back at his dark
eyes. Walang ni isang nagsasalita sa amin habang nakatitig lang kami sa isa't isa.
Then when I couldn't take the intensity of his stare anymore, I looked down.
I heard him take a deep breath.
"Is this one of your mood swings, too?" he asked. Napaangat ako ng tingin sa kanya.
"You were happy earlier, but now, you seem so down."
Mapait akong napangiti sa kanya. "Maybe..."
No, North...there are no mood swings. I just feel really guilty lying to you.
"I think you're tired...let's talk again tomorrow, okay?"
I blinked. "I'll get to see you again tomorrow?" Hindi ko na napansing lumiit nang
bahagya ang boses ko.
He let out a chuckle. There was a ghost of a smile on his lips as he tucked the
strands of my hair behind my ears. I couldn't help but smile at the gesture.
"Of course, Rylee...expect that we'll see each other a lot of times from now on.
Lalo na kapag nagsama tayo. Baka magsawa ka pa sa mukha ko."
Mabilis akong umiling. My mood immediately lifted up at that thought.
Palagi ko na siyang makikita. Araw-araw kaya? Gosh...unlike before na halos iwasan

niya ako!
"There's no way I would ever get tired seeing you, North ko! Just imagining that
I'll spend my time with you made me so happy!" ngiting-ngiti ko pang sabi sa kanya.
I was surprised when he smiled and chuckled as he looked at me. His dark eyes were
even glowing as I heard his low laugh. Hindi ko maiwasan ang mapatitig sa kanya.
How could he be so perfect? I loved this man so much!
"Ang bilis talagang magbago ng mood mo. Buntis ka nga," he said with a laugh.
Pinilit ko na lang ang ngumiti sa kanya kaysa isipin pa ang sinabi niya.
North smiling and laughing in front of me was a once in a lifetime scene! I will do
everything just to see it again!
He flashed me a small smile after. Dinig na dinig ko ang lakas ng tibok ng puso ko
habang nakatitig sa kanya.
"Rest now, Rylee...see you tomorrow, hmm?"
Sunod-sunod akong tumango while smiling wildly at him. "See you tomorrow, then!"
"Goodnight, Rylee..."
I giggled. Oh my gosh. This was really a dream come true!
"Goodnight, North."
The smile didn't leave my face even after I did my night routine and laid down on
the bed. What happened earlier just kept on playing in my head.
Especially how many times he called me his baby today. Me—and not the 'baby'
in my stomach.
I just wished that everything that happened today was real. That North was doing
this because he finally had feelings for me and not just for the baby.
That he loved me too. That he was really worried for me.
But I knew that they were all lies. Lahat ng iyon ay nangyari nang dahil sa
kasinungalingan ko.
The smile faded on my lips. I put my hand on my tummy and stared at the ceiling.
Hindi ba pwedeng...buntis na nga lang talaga ako? That I was really carrying
North's baby? So that everything wouldn't be a lie anymore? So that I wouldn't have
to deceive him anymore...?
But that wouldn't happen. I bought a pregnancy test kit one time with the wish that
I was really pregnant, but it came out negative. I also had my menstrual period
just a week ago so it was really impossible for me to be pregnant after that
magical night with North.
I was pathetic, wasn't I? I was even happy when he offered me to live with him yet
I was just lying to him. I was lying to the man that I loved.
With all the guilt that was bottling up inside me, my eyes teared up. Hindi ko na
napigilan ang pagtulo ng luha ko habang nakatitig sa kisame at inaalala ang mga
ginawa sa akin ni North ngayong araw. He was extra careful and he was really
worried about the 'baby'. He was even willing to take responsibility for me.
My gosh...bakit ang sama-sama kong tao?
I knew that it was wrong...but I was a coward too. Hindi ko na kayang bawiin ang
lahat. I knew that North would be mad at me if he found out the truth. He might
even resent me. But I just couldn't take back everything especially now that I got
to feel his care. Especially now that we were slowly getting closer.
I'll let him fall in love with me...then maybe...he wouldn't get mad when he finds
out the truth?
Or maybe... I'll accept all of this happiness. So that if North hates me in the
end, at least I got to experience the feeling of him taking care of me.
Gosh...I'm so pathetic.
I jolted from my sleep when I heard my phone ringing. I lazily took it from my
bedside table pero lumipad yata palabas ng bintana ang antok ko nang makita ko kung
sino ang tumatawag.
It was North!
"N-North!" I even stammered! He already said that we were going to meet today but I
didn't expect him to call me! It was just eight in the morning!
"Good morning, Rylee..." I heard his raspy voice say from the other line. It was so
good to hear. I could listen to it forever!
"G-Good morning..." Oh, c'mon, Rylee! Get ahold of yourself! "Napatawag ka?"
"I told you that we'll meet today," he said. Nahalata ko ang kalituhan sa boses
niya. "I'll pick you up in an hour."
"What?!"
Tuluyan na talagang nawala ang antok ko. Anong he'll pick me up in one hour?
I needed more hours to prepare! Gosh...I cried last night so my face might look
puffy right now! Hindi ako pwedeng magpakita sa kanya looking like shit!
"We'll talk to your parents about you moving in with me. I know your brother's
still at home at this hour. I want him to know about this, too."
I stilled. I remembered the last time I saw him and my Kuya Zoren together.
It wasn't a good meeting. I could feel that Kuya Zoren was really mad at him.
But here was North...still wanting my brother to know about his plans.
I took a deep breath. Pinakalma ko ang nabigla kong sarili dahil sa naging pagtawag
niya at mga sinabi niya. That was one way to wake me up. Talagang nawala ang antok
ko dahil sa kanya.
"Alright...I'll text my Mom about this," I said.
May ilan pang sinabi si North telling me not to hurry dahil isang oras pa naman daw
bago niya ako sunduin and to be careful while moving around. Anong not to hurry
siya d'yan? Kulang na kulang ang isang oras sa pag-aayos ko!
Like the organized man he was, matapos nga ang isang oras ay tumunog na ang
doorbell ng unit ko. I groaned! I was planning to fix my hair, pambawi man lang sa
simpleng makeup na ginawa ko ngayon para at least may ayos pa rin ako.
But North was already here! Ayoko naman siyang masyadong maistorbo so I had no
choice but to let my hair loose!
I opened the door and almost groaned when I saw North looking so handsome in his
white button-down polo shirt tucked in his black trousers. His hair was fixed in a
brush-up style. I could even smell his cologne even with the distance between us.
He smelled so good!
It was so unfair dahil mukhang may time siyang mag-ayos sa sarili niya, samantalang
ako ay nagmadali pa!
"You should've told me last night that you'll pick me up this early!" reklamo ko
habang iniipit ang ilang hibla ng buhok ko sa likod ng tainga ko. "Hindi ako
nakapag-ayos!"
He frowned. Pinasadahan niya ako ng tingin. I was wearing a simple pastel pink
ruffled dress, the skirt reaching just above my knees. Mga ganitong damit ang
sinusuot ko kapag nagmamadali ako or tinatamad mag-ayos. Mabilis kasing suotin.
North's gaze went up to my eyes again. He was still frowning when he looked at me.
"You're telling me that you didn't have enough time with that?" Inilahad niya ang
kamay sa harapan ko na parang itinuturo ako. "You look wonderful, Rylee."
I blushed really hard hearing that compliment from him. Hindi ako sanay. He did not
compliment me that much before. Kung minsan ay kailangan ko pa nga siyang tanungin
at sapilitan pa nga kung anong tingin niya sa ayos or suot ko noon.
But now...he just said those words naturally. Like he was so used to giving me
compliments.
Tumikhim ko. I raised my chin, looking confident now that he said those words.
"Yes! This is almost my natural look!"
His lips twitched. Parang gustong mangiti pero pinipigilan lang. "Then I guess
you're naturally beautiful."
Imbes na matuwa ay napasimangot pa ako. "What? You just realized it now?"
The side of his lips finally rose. Napailing siya at pero wala namang sinabi.
I frowned even more.
"I am offended," sabi ko pa. Narinig ko ang bahagyang pagtawa niya pero saglit
lang. He looked at me with a slight smirk on his lips.
"You're beautiful, baby."

Of course, that shut me up! Like what the heck? Biglang bumanat ba naman ng gano'n?
I was not prepared! Pati yung puso kong nabigla, sobrang bilis tuloy ng tibok at
hindi ko naiwasang mapahawak sa dibdib ko sa sobrang gulat sa sinabi niya!
He called me 'baby' again!
I was celebrating deep inside nang makita kong bumaba ang tingin niya papunta sa
tiyan ko. He had this playful glint in his eyes as he looked at my tummy.
"I know that our baby will be beautiful."
Mabilis akong napasimangot. He looked at me again, halata ang pang-aasar sa mga

mata. Napairap ako sa kanya at tinalikuran siya.
"Hindi mo pa nga alam kung babae o lalaki!" I muttered as I walked away.
I heard his slight laugh. "You didn't close the door!"
"E 'di ikaw na magsara!"
Tuluyan na siyang tumawa. Nakabusangot ang mukha ko habang naglalakas papunta sa

elevator. Ayos na sana, e. I was happy already! Tapos biglang dudugtungan niya ng
gano'n?
Was it really that hard for him to give me compliments?
Naamoy ko ang pabangong gamit ni North bago ko napansin ang pagtayo niya sa gilid
ko habang hinihintay namin ang elevator. Hindi ko siya pinansin. Sa harapan lang
ako nakatingin but I could see his movements from the corner of my eyes.
"Mood swings," he even muttered. He sounded so amused. Inirapan ko na lang.
Tumunog ang elevator at bumukas na iyon. Walang tao sa loob so I quickly stepped
inside. Hindi sumunod si North at nanatili lang nakatayo doon.
I looked at him curiously. He was holding the button from the outside to prevent
the elevator doors from closing. He was looking at me with a soft expression on his
face.
"I was just kidding," he said. Nandoon ang kaseryosohan sa boses. "You're
beautiful, Rylee. I've always known it. Even before..."
Natulala ako roon. I was staring at his eyes. Wala akong masabi. Hindi ko alam kung
anong sasabihin. The beating of my heart became faster again as I stared at his
dark eyes looking at me seriously.
I was waiting for him to take it back. Pero ilang sandali ang lumipas ay nandoon pa
rin siya sa harapan ko at nanatiling nakatitig sa akin. I figured that he wouldn't
ride the elevator unless he made sure that I understood what he said.
He...complimented me.
I smiled when it finally sunk in. Kinagat ko pa ang pang-ibabang labi ko dahil
feeling ko ay mapupunit ang bibig ko sa lawak ng ngiti ko ngayon.
I was so happy!
North let out a relieved sigh. I noticed the ghost of a smile on his lips when he
finally went in the elevator and pushed the button to the basement parking.
www.wattpad.com
16 - 20 minutes
Chapter 11
Hindi pa rin maalis ang ngiti sa mga labi ko kahit na noong nakasakay na ako sa
kotse ni North. I was smiling stupidly while sitting on the passenger's seat. His
words just kept playing in my mind.
He called me beautiful. He said that I was beautiful.
I looked at him. Seryoso siyang nag-da-drive at wala man lang kangiti-ngiti ang
mukha. Even his side profile looked so handsome! I wouldn't get tired staring at
him all day long.
"Sabi ko na, e...you had feelings for me even before pa, 'no?" I teased him.
He glanced at me. Noong una ay kita ko pa ang kalituhan sa mukha niya. He was
thinking why I suddenly said that, then when it finally dawned on him, napailing
siya na parang hindi makapaniwala.
"You're really unbelievable," he muttered but I still heard it.
Malawak akong napangiti. I just couldn't help but smile! Kung kailan pa ako hindi
masyadong nakapag-ayos, doon niya pa talaga ako binigyan ng compliment!
I giggled. Ang saya niyang asarin. I really liked teasing him. Palagi niya kasi
akong pinapansin kapag ganoon. Minsan naiinis, but at least, kinakausap niya ako.
Snob pa naman 'tong isang 'to. Kung hindi ko talaga lalapitan at kakausapin, hindi
talaga ako papansinin!
I remembered before that I used to chase him. Parang ang hirap-hirap niyang abutin
noon. I felt like there was no way a great man like him would even glance my way.
Kaya naman ginawa ko ang lahat para magpapansin. Para lang mapansin niya.
Tinatawanan na ako ng mga kaklase ko noon. Halos buong school daw kasi ay alam kung
anong nararamdaman ko para kay North. Nagpanggap pa talaga akong naliligaw sa
college department para lang makita siya!
The best part was when he was visiting the house when Kuya Zoren invited him.
Feeling ko ang lapit-lapit niya. Feeling ko mapapansin na niya ako.
Nangyayari kung minsan, but I had to try hard during those times. I just really
loved him doing those things. Na kahit magmukha na akong tanga sa kakahabol, okay
lang, mapansin niya lang ako.
And now, I even had to lie just to be with him. Just to make sure that he'd end up
with me.
Nawala ang ngiti sa mga labi ko dahil doon. Natahimik ako at napatingin na lang sa
labas ng bintana. North must've sensed my quick change of mood.
"Mood swings again?" he asked. "Seems like I have to get used to that."
Napatingin ako sa kanya. There was curiosity in his eyes when he glanced at me, but
I could tell that he was also worried.
His life changed drastically because of that lie. The fact that he was here beside
me, taking me to my parents' house just to talk to them about his plans, already
showed how much my lies changed him. At ang pinakamalala, nasira ang pagkakaibigan
nila ni Kuya Zoren dahil sa kasinungalingan ko.
"Have you talked to Kuya Zoren?" I asked.
Napasulyap sa akin si North, nagulat sa tanong ko. But he looked at the road again
and his expression changed. Naging seryoso ang mukha niya habang nakatingin sa daan
na para bang isa iyong malaking problema. I even noticed his grip on the steering
wheel tightened.
I was waiting for his answer pero wala siyang ibinigay. Kaya naman nagtanong pa
ulit ako.
"Hindi kayo okay, right? He's mad at you because of me—"
"It's between your brother and I, Rylee. Stop worrying about it."
Napatitig na lang ako sa kanya. His voice was full of seriousness when he said
those words. Like he was blocking me from asking any more questions. He didn't want
me to talk about it. Kulang na lang ay sabihin niya sa aking huwag akong mangialam.
How could I? It involved the two important men in my life! Isa pa, ako naman talaga
ang dahilan kung bakit nasira ang pagkakaibigan nila!
I ruined it. I ruined their friendship.
Itinigil ni North ang sasakyan sa harap ng bahay namin. The maids already knew who
we were kaya mabilis nila kaming pinapasok. I saw my parents at the door, obviously
waiting for us. Dumiretso ako kay mommy para yakapin siya.
"My baby..." she mumbled as she enveloped me in a hug.
I almost cried hugging her. Parang bigla kong gustong bumalik sa pagkabata habang
yakap niya ako. Gusto kong magsumbong at iiyak ang lahat sa kanya. I wanted her to
tell me that everything was going to be alright as she comforted me.
But I knew I couldn't. Dahil kahit sa mga magulang ko ay nagsisinungaling ako

ngayon.
Pumasok na kami at napatigil ako nang makita si Kuya Zoren na nasa living room. He
was already wearing his three-piece suit, ready to go to work, while sitting lazily
on the sofa. The expression on his face told me that he didn't even want to be here
right now.
"Kuya..." I went near him.
He looked up at me. Nasalubong ko ang mga mata niya but he had no expression on his
face. That made my heart ache so bad.
Kung dati, kapag ganitong nagkikita kami, he would immediately hug me.
Pagkatapos ay aasarin na ako maya-maya. Now, he was looking at me like I was a

stranger he didn't even know.
He was also mad at me. I thought that if I gave him time to ponder on things, he
would be able to accept that I really loved North. He would accept my feelings for
his friend. That I was pregnant and North's the father.
Pero matapos ang gabing iyon, hindi na ulit ako kinausap ni kuya. I tried talking
to him but to no avail.
I missed him. I missed my Kuya Zoren.
"Have you eaten breakfast?" mom asked. Nandoon na rin si North at nakatayo
'di kalayuan sa amin ni Kuya Zoren. "Kumain na muna kayo."
"Kung kakain pa sila, mauuna na ko," Kuya Zoren said. Tumayo pa siya at inayos ang
coat na suot. "I'll be late for work."
Mukha namang nataranta si mommy at hindi alam ang gagawin. Dad was just watching,
hindi nagsasalita. He was aware about the feud between Kuya Zoren and North.
Mukhang ayaw makialam sa away ng dalawa.
"It's okay, Ma'am. We're here 'cause I have something I want to let you know,"
North said. Napatingin si Kuya Zoren sa kanya at nakita ko ang pagtatangis ng mga
bagang niya. He was irritated kahit magsalita lang si North.
"Then let's take a seat first, okay?" Mom said.
They sat down at nasa magkabilang side ng sofa nakaupo sina North at Kuya Zoren,
halatang ayaw magtabi. I didn't know where to sit. There was a space beside the
both of them but I chose to sit beside North as I came here with him. Nakita ko na
hindi nagustuhan ni Kuya Zoren iyon. His jaw clenched but he didn't say anything.
"North, hijo...ano 'yong gusto mong sabihin?" mom asked.
Sumulyap muna sa akin si North bago binalingan ang mga magulang ko sa harap.
He was sitting down so formally. His stance was so confident that I couldn't help
but admire him.
"Ma,am, Sir, I am aware that Rylee is living alone in her condo. She's pregnant
with our child and I'm worried about her. She needs someone to take care of her."
Napayuko ako. Napansin ko kasi na napatingin si Kuya Zoren sa akin. Kahit iyon pa
lang ang sinasabi ni North, mukhang may ideya na siya. Even if I wasn't looking at
him, I could feel the anger in his eyes as he looked at me.
I know...alam kong magagalit siya sa ideyang 'to. He will surely oppose this.
But North still wanted him to hear about his plan kahit alam niyang maaaring
tumutol si kuya. He wanted to face him as he respected him as my brother...and his
friend.
"I want Rylee to live with me," North finally said.
Nobody said anything. Nanatili lang akong nakayuko. Hindi ko kayang salubungin ang
tingin ng kahit na sino. They would see the guilt in my eyes if I did. Baka makita
nila ang kasinungalingan sa mga mata ko.
You see what you've done, Rylee? Nakikita mo na ba kung gaano kalaki ang naging
epekto sa lahat ng kasinungalingan na ginawa mo? Everything changed for you, yet
you're just sitting there, not doing anything to make things right 'cause you know
that the situation favors you. You're selfish.
Yeah...I was selfish. I really was selfish.
Alam kong nagulat sina mommy at daddy sa sinabi ni North. Sinubukan ko silang
tingnan at nakita ko na parang nag-uusap sila gamit ang mga mata nila.
I couldn't look at my brother. I knew he was surprised too. Inaasahan kong siya ang
unang mag-re-react at tututol kay North. But he didn't say anything.
"Are you sure about this, hijo?" I heard my father ask. "Saan kayo titira kung
gano'n?"
"I have my own condo unit, Sir. Malaki po iyon. Rylee will never get bored there,"
North said. Diretso lang ang tingin niya kay daddy.
"North, if you're worried that no one is taking care of my daughter, then we can do
that. She can come back here. Pwede mo naman siyang dalawin na lang,"
mom said.
"Ma'am, I want to be the one to do it. I am the father of the child and it is my
responsibility to take care of her."
"You have your work, right?" my father asked. "Maiiwan pa rin naman si Rylee mag-
isa dahil sa trabaho mo kung sakaling sa condo mo kayo tumira."
"I am planning to hire a maid to take care of the condo at para din may magbantay
kay Rylee habang wala ako."
Nakikinig lang ako sa usapan nila. North only decided to take me with him just
yesterday. Hindi ko akalain na napagplanuhan niya nang ganitong kabilis ang lahat.
He even sounded so sure with his plan as he talked to my parents.
"What about your parents? Are they okay with this?"
"Yes, Ma'am. I first consulted with them and they're happy with my decision.
Ang gusto nga nila ay doon sa bahay patirahin si Rylee, pero gusto kong ako mismo
ang mag-alaga sa kanya."
I looked at my Mom and Dad. Mukha namang okay sa kanila ang plano ni North para sa
aming dalawa. They even looked amused that North had this kind of plan for the two
of us.
I couldn't help but feel proud. I fell in love with this man...with this amazing
man.
"Ikaw, Rylee? Ayos lang ba sa 'yo ang tumira kasama si North?"
Mabilis na lumingon sa akin si North. Nakita ko ang pag-aalangan sa mukha niya. He

was thinking that I didn't properly give him an answer when he asked me to live
with him—I didn't decline nor accept the offer. Bigla na lang siyang nagplanong
kausapin ang mga magulang ko tungkol dito and expected I'd agree with it.
He wasn't wrong though. Living with him under the same roof was like a dream come
true to me. I'd get to see him every day. He'd be close to me. Finally, hindi ko na
kailangan maghabol sa kanya para lang mapansin ako.
I smiled at North. I reached for his hand and squeezed it to give him an assurance.
Hindi pa rin kasi nawawala ang pag-aalangan sa mga mata niya.
I looked at my parents. "Of course, Mom. I'll be happy if I live with North."
Mom smiled at me. Sinulyapan niya si dad na walang sinabi at nakatitig lang sa
akin. He looked fine with what I said though. Hindi naman siya tumutol kaya
binalingan na ulit ako ni mommy. "Kailan mo balak lumipat sa condo ni North?" she
asked.
"Ngayon din sana, Ma'am." It was North who answered. "I can't let her live alone in
the condo for another day. Hindi ako makakapante."
Mom smiled at him before she looked at me. "Should I help you pack your things?
Daldalhin mo ba lahat ng mga gamit mong nandito?"
"'Yong mga gamit ko na lang sana na nasa condo ang dadalhin ko sa condo ni North,
Mom," I said.
Mom nodded. "Sabagay. Doon ka naman ayaw patirahin mag-isa ni North."
Napangiti ako.
"You know what, Mom? It was just because of the elevator that he came up with this
plan. Dapat na yata akong magpasalamat sa elevator ng building na 'yon na palaging
under maintenance."
North turned to me. He had a frown on his face. "Hindi na safe sa 'yo ang pag-
akyat-baba ng hagdan, Rylee. I know how clumsy you are."
"Naku, North. Sinabi mo pa," my mom seconded.

Ako naman tuloy ngayon ang napasimangot. "Why did it turn out like this? I was
planning on teasing North!"
"But it's true that you're clumsy. You always make people around you worried,"
North said. Imbes na maasar ay napangisi ako sa kanya.
"So I was making you worry before?" pang-aasar ko sa kanya. "I'm right, aren't I?
Matagal ka na ngang may gusto sa 'kin!"
North stared at me. Hindi ko tinigilan ang pang-aasar sa kanya. I even nudged his
arm using my elbow. Nakita kong napailing siya pero halata naman na pinipigilan ang
ngiti.
"I don't know what to do with you," he mumbled.
Magsasalita pa sana ko nang mapansin ko si Kuya Zoren na tumayo. Lahat kami ay

napatingin sa kanya. He fixed his coat before he looked at my mom.
"I have to go," he said. "I'll be late for work."
"Kuya..." I called him pero hindi man lang niya ako tiningnan. Nanatili siyang
nakatingin kna mommy.
"Wala ka man lang bang sasabihin tungkol sa plano ni North, Zoren?" my dad asked.
Nakita kong lumapat ang kamay ni mommy sa braso niya na parang gustong patigilin.
Kuya Zoren glanced at North. His eyes looked so cold. Kahit akong hindi niya
tiningnan ay naramdaman ko ang lamig sa mga mata niya. But North seemed like he
didn't falter from my Kuya Zoren's gaze. Tinitigan niya pa pabalik si kuya.
Kuya Zoren didn't say anything, but judging by his clenched jaw, I could tell that
he was really mad. I was even sure that he'd punch North again and I prepared
myself to stop him. Pero muli niya lang ibinalik ang tingin niya kina mommy.
"Kahit naman hindi ako pumayag, matutuloy pa rin, 'di ba? That's how much of an
asshole he is."
"Zoren!" saway ni Mommy. Kuya Zoren just scoffed.
"Alis na 'ko," he said and walked away.
Sinundan ko ng tingin si Kuya Zoren, thinking how much he had changed. He was
really fond of North before. Kulang na nga lang ay ituring na niyang kapatid.
But because of my lies, their friendship was ruined.
"I'm sorry about my son's behavior, North..." mom said. Umiling naman si North sa
kanya.
"No, Ma'am. I understand."
North helped me moved my things to his condo. Hindi naming nakayang dalhin lahat
but he made sure that he would hire someone to help para sa mga gamit kong naiwan.
I told him na hindi naman lahat kailangang dalhin. Gusto ko pa ring mag-iwan ng
ibang gamit sa condo ko.
North was right. Malaki nga ang unit niya. It was at the fifteenth floor, so the
view below was overlooking the city. I couldn't wait to see the lights during
nighttime.
The unit was cozy and elegant. Walang masyadong dekorasyon sa loob, giving me the
vibe that it was really only him who was living here. I could smell the cologne
that he used inside the unit.
There were three rooms inside and he led me to one. Nahulaan ko kaagad na hindi
iyon ang kwarto niya nang buksan niya ang pinto. It felt empty. At mukhang tama ako
dahil nang binuksan niya ang cabinet ay wala talagang laman sa loob.
"Oh...hindi tayo tabi matutulog?" I said and I didn't even try to hide my
disappointment.
That was sad...I was really looking forward to waking up every morning with him
beside. But I guessed I wasn't really that lucky.
Napatigil si North at napatingin sa akin. He blinked pero maya-maya ay napailing na
lang at nagpatuloy sa ginagawang pag-a-unpack ng mga gamit ko.
"I wouldn't mind, though," I said. Umupo pa ako sa kama at pinanood lang siya sa
ginagawa niya. "I know that you want it too, North ko..." I seductively said.
Napailing si North pero nakikita ko ang pinipigilan niyang ngiti sa mga labi niya.
I smiled. He wouldn't give me this reaction before. Pero ngayon...I think he was
loosening up.
Isinara ni North ang cabinet nang matapos kaya tumayo ako. I stretched out my arms,
and when he looked at me, I saw the confusion on his face.
"Hug me," I said.
Tinitigan niya ako. His head tilted to the other side as he stared at me.
"The baby wants a hug," sabi ko pa.
He looked like he finally understood my action. Napatawa siya nang mahina bago
naglakad palapit sa akin at ibinigay ang gusto ko. I sighed when I finally felt his
warmth.
"The baby is clingy, huh?" I heard him mumble as he hugged me.
Tumango ako at mas hinigpitan pa ang yakap sa kanya, trying to wash away the guilt
slowly crawling in my chest.
"Yeah...the baby is clingy."
www.wattpad.com
16 - 20 minutes
Chapter 12
I wish I could stay in his arms like this forever. I never would've thought that
I'd be able to do this. I couldn't remember how much I wished and prayed every
single night that North would love me back. At mayakap siya nang ganito...
I took a deep breath and hugged him even tighter. His warmth was enough to calm the
chaos in my head. Parang naglahong parang bula na lang ang mga alalahanin ko nitong
mga nakaraang araw.
I could smell his natural scent mixed with his cologne. Nakakaadik ang amoy niya.
He smelled so manly and so fresh, like cold morning air. Masarap sa pakiramdam. I
didn't want to let go of him anymore.
Was I that bad to feel good that I lied because I got to do something like this? I
got to live with him under the same roof na hindi ko inaasahan na mangyayari talaga
kahit ilang beses kong in-imagine ang sarili ko na kasama siya.
"Are you okay?" he asked. He must've felt that I didn't want to let go because I
was hugging him so tight.
"I am..." sagot ko pero mas sumiksik lang sa mga braso niya.
I could sense his smile as he held me protectively. "I guess you're the clingy
type, huh?"
I looked up to him and frowned. "What?"
He smiled at me. Ah...how I wished I could take a picture of him!
"You're a clingy pregnant woman," he said. "Probably because of the baby."
I frowned even more. Humiwalay na ako sa yakap niya habang nakasimangot pa rin sa
kanya. "It's not because of the baby! Have you forgotten how I chased you before
when I was still in high school? I was even pretending that I lost my way to
college department just to see you!"
He chuckled after I finished ranting to him. I figured I probably looked foolish

right now dahil kunot na kunot na talaga ang mukha ko! I didn't know why! I just
felt offended! It seemed like he was thinking that I was hugging him because the
baby in my tummy wanted to. E, wala ngang baby!
"Then I guess you got more clingy?" he asked with still a smile on his lips.
"You barely touched me before."
"E kasi ngayon lang ako nagkaroon ng chance!" I exclaimed. "Ilag na ilag ka kaya sa
'kin before!"
"Alright, alright..." natatawa niyang sabi at hinigit ako para yakapin ulit.
I was surprised, of course! Ang akala ko kailangan ko pang humiling sa kanya at

gamitin ang non-existent baby just to get a hug from him again!
I felt him caressing my back so softly. Parang pinapakalma ako, which I did.
Konting hawak niya lang sa akin ay para na akong matutunaw.
"Don't get mad, okay?" Kahit ang paraan ng pagkakasabi niya ay may lambing din. "It
might harm the baby if you get stressed out."
Napabuntonghininga na lang ako dahil sa huling sinabi niya. He was always baby this
and baby that. I couldn't blame him though. After all, he was doing this because he
thought that I was carrying his baby.
Kung minsan ay hindi ko na alam kung anong iisipin ko sa sarili ko. I was getting
jealous over some nonexistent baby. Buti pa siya, nag-aalala si North para sa
kanya, while I had to lie just to be near him like this.
I just didn't want North to think that I was being like this—being more
affectionate and clingier—because of the mood swings of being pregnant. Na para
bang kapag hindi ako buntis ay hindi ako magiging ganito sa kanya. In fact, I'd
been dying to hug and kiss him for all my life! Tapos iisipin niya na nagiging
ganito ako dahil buntis ako?
I wanted him to know that I really wanted to do this with him. That it was me and
not the baby. That these were my true feelings.
I took another deep breath and forced a smile when I looked at him again. We had a
lot of time together. Marami pang pagkakataon na iparamdam ko sa kanya that I was
being my natural self.
And maybe, once he realizes that I did really love him, if he realizes that I was
being genuine, then he might fall in love with me too.
And he might forgive me for lying to him if he already loved me. Kasi ganoon naman,
'di ba? Kapag mahal mo, handa kang magpatawad.
"So? What are we gonna do for the rest of the day?" I asked, changing the topic. I
didn't wanna think about my lies for a while.
He stared at me for a second before he tilted his head.
"You rest," he said that so forwardly like he didn't even need to think of his
answer.
Of course, napasimangot ulit ako. "What?"
"You should rest," ulit pa niya. "I know you didn't get enough sleep. Halata sa mga
mata mo."
I didn't know how to react first. Kikiligin ba ako 'cause it seemed like he was
observing me or should I be pissed kasi pinagpapahinga niya ako when it was our
first day living together?
"It's our first day living under the same roof and you want me to rest?" I honestly
said. Hindi ko alam kung manhid ba siya or insensitive, e! "I've
been dreaming of this my entire life! I don't want to rest! I want to spend time
with you!"
I heard his laugh after I said those words. I couldn't help but stare at him as he
laughed! It was not every day that I got to see him laugh like this because of me!
I wanted to treasure this moment forever!
"You're impossible," ngiting-ngiti niyang sabi pagkatapos.
His smile looked so good. I rarely saw him smile this beautiful whenever we were
together. Before, it was obvious that he onlysaw me as his little sister who had a
huge crush on him, at parang gustong-gusto pa akong paalisin 'cause I was bothering
him.
But now...he was smiling.
"Rylee..." Even the way he called my name sounded so different now. "We have
tomorrow to spend time together. And the day after that. We have weeks, months, and
years..."
I couldn't help but smile widely! Imagining my every day, just spending my time
with North, was a dream come true! Hindi ko na mapigil ang ngiti ko.
Tahimik siyang napatawa sa naging reaction ko. Then he reached for my face and
tucked some strands of my hair behind my ears.
"But for now...I want you to rest, hmm?" malambing niyang sabi. "Para na rin kay
baby."
Agad na nawala ang kilig ko dahil sa sinabi niya. I didn't know why but it looked
like it became a routine that whenever I felt good, whenever I thought that North
and I could finally be together, he would always mention the baby.
Para bang pinapaalala sa akin na nandito ako ngayon dahil sa kasinungalingan
ko. That I had no right to feel happy because I lied to him. That these were all
lies.
I knew that North didn't mean to do it. He had no idea that I was lying to him.
Pero parang pati ang tadhana ay nakikiayon sa kanya dahil kapag sumasaya ako ay
saka niya naman babanggitin ang tungkol sa baby.
I knew none of these would've ever happened if I didn't lie about my pregnancy.
But...I just wanted to have a chance with him.
"See? You're tired," he said. He might've thought that my silence was a sign of the
tiredness that I felt. "You should rest, Rylee."
The concern in his eyes was so genuine I couldn't do anything but nod. The last
thing I would do was make him worry about me when he didn't even need to
'cause there was no baby.
I gave him a small smile. "I'll just take a shower," I said. "I feel so sticky
because of the ride."
North smiled and caressed my hair. Wala na siyang ibang sinabi at lumabas nang
kwarto.
Napabuntonghininga na lang ulit ako nang maiwan akong mag-isa sa kwarto. I couldn't
count how many times I sighed since that night at the dinner. My lies were
bothering me but I couldn't tell anyone about it.
I took a shower to clean myself, at kahit sa pagligo ay iyon pa rin ang nasa isip
ko. I doubted I could ever have peace of mind keeping this secret with me. My mind
was in chaos. The guilt was eating me.
Was it worth it? Worth it bang pinagpalit ko ang peace of mind ko sa lahat ng
'to? Sa araw-araw na kokonsensyahin ako dahil sa pagsisinungaling ko?
There were more questions running through my head but I must've been really tired,
lacking of sleep, dahil nang ipinikit ko ang mga mata ko ay nakatulog kaagad ako.
It was already nighttime when I woke up. Nagtaka pa nga ako kung nasaan ako pero
agad ding napangiti nang maalala ang lahat.
I was in North's condo. Hindi ko agad makakalimutan 'yon 'cause I could feel his
presence in every of the corner of his unit. Rinig ko pa ang paggalaw niya sa labas
ng kwarto kaya naman malaki ang ngiti ko nang bumangon ako at lumabas na.
The questions that I had before were already answered as soon as I stepped out of
the room and saw North preparing the dinner on the table. He must've felt my
presence dahil mula sa pag-aayos ng mga kutsara ay agad na napaangat ang tingin
niya sa akin. He welcomed me with a small smile as I walked towards him.
"You're awake," he greeted and jerked his head towards the table. "I prepared our
dinner. C'mon, let's eat."
Yeah...this was all worth it.
"You should've woken me up so I could help you," I said as I sat down. Umupo na rin
siya sa katapat kong upuan.
"No need. Besides, I wanted you to have enough rest."
Kinuha niya ang lalagyanan ng kanin at nilagyan ng kanin ang plato ko. Hindi ko na
napigilan ang malaking ngiti sa mga labi ko dahil sa pagsisilbi niya sa akin. Hindi
naman araw-araw na nangyayari 'to kaya hindi ko talaga mapigilan ang kilig ko!
"North, that's enough," awat ko sa kanya dahil ang dami niyang nilagay na kanin at
ulam.
He frowned. Halatang hindi niya nagustuhan ang pagpipigil ko sa kanya. "Ang konti
lang ng kakainin mo. You should eat more."
"You must've forgotten that I'm a model!" I countered. "I have a diet to maintain,
North."
"Yes, but that was before when you were not pregnant," he reasoned out. "You have a
baby inside you. Hindi na lang ikaw ang kailangan kumain."
"It's not like the baby can eat the rice na rin inside me!"
He laughed. Kahit ako ay napairap na rin sa katangahan ko.

"The baby needs nutrients from the food you eat," he explained.
"North, please..." I pleaded. "Hindi pa naman malaki ang tiyan ko. Plus, I have a
shoot tomorrow."
Kumunot ang noo niya at napatigil pa sa pagkain para tingnan akong mabuti.
"Don't tell me you're still gonna work even when you're already pregnant."
I stilled. What? Don't tell me that he wanted me to quit my job.
"Pipigilan mo ko sa trabaho ko?" gulat kong tanong. "But I love my job!"
"But you're pregnant!" he argued, trying to make me understand his reason. "I
wanted you to live with me 'cause it's dangerous for you to be alone in your
condo. It'll be meaningless if you still go to work where there are more dangerous
stuff than in your unit!"
"North...Gigi Hadid still walked on a runway even when she was already a few months
pregnant! I even admired her for that!"
"But you're not Gigi Hadid."
Napasinghap ako sa sinabi niya. I was surprised! What did he even meant by that?
"What? Are you telling me that I'm not pretty?" tanong kong medyo tumataas na ang
tono.
Well, I felt insulted! Sinasabi niya bang pumapanget na ako dahil buntis ako?
E, hindi naman ako buntis! So what? Was I getting uglier?
I worked so hard to be confident. Although I was still the same shy girl before, at
least I gained some confidence when I learned how to take care of myself. With all
those people, like my workmates and friends, around me telling me that I was
beautiful, I learned how to be a confident woman.
Kaya nga rin siguro nagkalakas ako ng loob na magsinungaling so North would be
mine!
"What?" tanong niyang nakakunot ang noo pero bahagyang natawa naman. "What are you
talking about? I didn't mean it like that."
Napalabi ako. "Well, you said that I'm not Gigi Hadid."
"Yes, 'cause you're Rylee. She might've still walked on the runway while pregnant
but I want you to fully take a rest," he explained. "I didn't say that you're not
pretty."
I pursed my lips, pero napangiti din nang malawak pagkatapos. North looked confused
when I suddenly smiled at him.
"Then...are you saying that I'm beautiful?" I asked, slightly teasing him.
"Wha—" he exhaled as he chuckled. Like he didn't believe what he just heard.
"I knew it!" I even exclaimed. "You already find me beautiful, right? Just say it,
North. Alam ko na naman."
He softly laughed as he took the glass of water and drank. Napapailing pa nang
ibinaba ang baso.
"I really don't know what to do with you," he mumbled.
I giggled at the lost expression on his face. I really liked it whenever I made him
speechless. It felt like I had so much effect on him kaya wala na siyang masabi.
"Don't worry, I'll be careful. It'll be an indoor shoot naman bukas," sabi kong
ibinabalik ang usapan sa kanina. "I really love my job, North. Hindi ko pa kayang
bitiwan."
He took a deep breath and looked at me with seriousness in his dark eyes.
"I'm not making you quit with your job, Rylee...pwede ka namang bumalik kapag
nakapanganak ka na."
I doubted it, though. Wala ngang baby, paano manganganak?
"I know...and I know too that I will eventually have to rest. Pero huwag yung
biglaan." I flashed him a kind smile. "I promise that I'll take a leave kapag
kailangan ko na."
He sighed. Then he looked at me with resignation on his face. "Alright...just

promise me that you'll be careful."
I smiled widely and nodded at him. "I promise!"
It was a wonderful night. I let myself feel contented without thinking of all my
problems. Ayokong masira ang unang araw na kasama ko si North. He even bid me a
goodnight, kaya naman nakangiti ako hanggang sa makatulog ako.
I was already ready to go the next morning when I went of my room. I figured that
North already left for his work. Ganoon kasi si kuya, maagang umaalis sa trabaho,
kaya naman nagulat pa ako nang makita si North na nasa dining area at may
nakahandang almusal sa hapag. It was a simple pancake with maple syrup.
"What are you still doing here?" I asked.
I thought he was already at work 'cause he was wearing his work clothes. He looked
so fresh. He was wearing a white inner long-sleeved polo shirt tucked in his black
pants. The sleeves were rolled up to his elbow. Nakita ko pa ang coat niyang maayos
na nakasabit sa backrest ng long sofa.
I looked at the dining table. "You cooked for me again. I should be the one doing
that. Taking care of you."
I sat down on the chair. Naupo na rin siya sa harapan ko.
"I didn't want you to live with me just so there would be someone to take of me,"
he said as he sipped his coffee. "I'll be taking care of you and the baby, Rylee."
Pinilit ko na lang ang ngumiti at isipin ang mga positive sa sinabi niya. The day
was just starting, and I didn't want to feel bad this early.
"Why are you still here?" I asked again. "You have work, right?"
"Saan ba ang shoot mo? I'll drive you," he said.
I smiled widely. "What? You don't want to be separated with me? Awww...you're so
cute, North..."
He scoffed and shook his head as he sipped his coffee again. I couldn't help but
smile. Even this small reaction could make him look good.
North really drove me to my shoot location. I was happy the whole ride. Kahit
pagkagising ko rin naman. Or even last night!
I was with North! Mas marami na ang oras na nakikita ko siya at nagkakasama kami!
Unlike before that I had to wait for my brother to invite North to visit the house!
Or just rely on coincidence!
"What time will you be done?" he asked as he parked his car outside the shoot
location.
"I don't know...kung kailan matatapos?" I answered. "It depends on how many shots
it takes to be satisfied with the outcome."
North nodded. "Just text me when you're done. Susunduin kita."

I gave him a teasing smile again. Napailing agad siya kahit wala pa naman akong
sinasabi. "Hindi pa nga ako nakakababa pero gusto mo na agad akong sunduin."
North let out a slight chuckle. "Just text me, Rylee. Or give me a heads-up."
"Okay..." I said and removed my seatbelt. Pero bago pa ako lumabas sa kotse niya ay
lumingon ulit ako sa kanya. "Wala bang goodbye kiss?"
"Rylee!" he exclaimed.
Napanguso na lang ako at bumaba na sa kotse niya. Kita ko pa ang pag-iling niya
nang bumaba ako. I waved a hand when he drove off away.
I turned around and automatically smiled when I stepped inside.
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16 - 20 minutes
Chapter 13
I was greeting the staff with a bright smile on my face, and they smiled back at
me. Even if they were busy setting up for the photoshoot, they still turned and
greeted me with a smile.
I felt so happy. I had this feeling that even after this day, I would still have
energy to do anything. Gusto ko nga sana ay kahit yung next project ko ay gawin na
ngayon if only they had still some time left. I just felt so happy that it wouldn't
make me feel bad or tired!
I started my day with North, having breakfast with him, and he drove me here.
This was the best morning of my life! Mas masaya pa ako kaysa noong natanggap ako
ng modeling agency ko noong nag-audition ako!
So for the next mornings and morning after that, ganoon na ba ang bubungad sa
'kin? North cooking breakfast for me and we'd eat together? Or kaya naman kapag
nauna akong magising, I would be the one who'd cook breakfast for us!
I giggled like an idiot. I was so looking forward to all the mornings in the
future!
"Someone's happy."
Nagulat pa akong nang malaman na hindi na pala ako mag-isa sa dressing room at may
kasama na ako. I was facing the mirror and I saw Andrea's reflection who was
looking at me with a smirk on her lips. Mukhang kanina pa siya nandoon at hindi ko
na namalayan ang pagpasok niya because I was so busy thinking of happy thought with
my North!
"Andrea! Bakit ka nandito?" I asked. "Palagi ka na lang nalalagi sa mga shoots ko,
ah?"
She grinned before she took the seat next to mine, but instead of looking at her
reflection, she looked at me. She even adjusted her seat and turned it my way so
she could have a better view.
"Of course I was worried!" she said. "The last time I saw you, you were ugly crying
kasi nga nag-away ang kuya mo at si North. So I came here but then I found..." She
looked at me from head to toe. "...This."
I felt really bad that because of my lie, North and Kuya Zoren's friendship broke,
but whenever I thought that I was living with North and he'd be the first one I'd
see in the morning and the last before going to bed, I just couldn't stop my smile.
"Huhulaan ko," sabi ni Andrea nang makitang nakangiti na naman ako. "It's about
North again, right?"
I didn't say anything and smiled. I even giggled a little. Hindi ko lang talaga
mapigilan!
"I'm right!" Andrea exclaimed. "Si North lang naman ang nakakapagpangiti sa
'yo nang ganyan! You're smiling from ear to ear!"
I started laughing kahit na wala namang masyadong nakakatawa. I just felt like it!
Siguro gan'on talaga kapag masaya talaga ang tao. They couldn't help but smile and
laugh even at the smallest things!
"Something happened kasi, Andrea," I said with a grin. Hindi na nawala ang ngiti sa
mga labi ko.
"Ano nga?" she asked impatiently. "Don't tell me may part two na."
I frowned. The smile was gone on my face. "Huh? What part two?"
Andrea stared at me. Tumingin din ako pabalik sa kanya. I couldn't get what she
just said, but she just shook her head and smiled widely at me again.
"Nothing. So? Anong nangyari?"
Bumalik ang ngiti sa mga labi ko nang maalala ko kung bakit ako masaya ngayon.
Before, whenever I thought about North, I was always wondering when he'd love me
back. Or if he'd ever love me back. There was a time when I would feel hurt
whenever he popped in my head, especially when I heard about Mia.
But now, automatic na ang ngiti ko kapag naiisip ko pa lang siya.
I turned my chair towards her direction. I even leaned in like I was gonna tell her
juicy news.
"There was one time kasi when North drove me home to my condo," I started. I was
speaking softly so Andrea had to get closer to me too. "'Di ba madalas na sira ang
elevator do'n so I had to use the stairs?"
Andrea eagerly nodded. She was so engrossed with my story."Yeah?"
"That day kasi, sira din ang elevator, as usual. 'Yong sa kabila. He started asking
me questions like ano raw ginagawa ko kapag not functioning ang elevator. So of
course, I said that I took the stairs. I was okay naman with that since nasa fifth
floor lang naman yung unit ko."
"Pero nakakabwisit pa rin yung elevator na 'yun na laging sira," Andrea commented.
"Go on."
"Looks like North wasn't okay with that too. And guess what?"
"What?"
I bit my lower lip, trying to hide my smile. "North asked me to move in with him."
She gasped loudly. Napadiretso pa siya ng upo while covering her mouth with her
hand. Her eyes widened as she looked at me.
I giggled at her reaction. Alam kong hindi na siya makapagsalita sa gulat so I

continued with my story to surprise her even more. "I just moved in with him
yesterday," I said. "He was the one who drove me here."
Her eyes widened even more and I was afraid they might fall out of their sockets.
Natawa na lang ako sa reaction niya. I already expected that but it was still funny
to see!
"Oh...my...gosh!" she squealed so loudly that people outside heard it. One of the
staff even checked on us.
"Shh!" saway ko kay Andrea nang makaalis na 'yong staff. "Calm down!"
"Calm down?!" Andrea exclaimed hysterically. "You're really telling me to calm

down?! I bet mas malala pa ang reaksyon mo sa 'kin!"
I laughed again. It was so nice to see her reacting like this for me! I felt like I
had no chance to react this way dahil nga buong araw kaming magkasama ni North
kahapon!
"I didn't have the chance to react!" I was complaining but it sounded different,
like it was a good thing. "North and I were together the whole day yesterday!"
"Oh my gosh, gaga ka!"

Natawa ulit ako when she jokingly pulled my hair. Buti na lang hindi pa ako
naayusan kundi mapapagalitan kaming dalawa if ever magulo ang buhok ko.
"My hair!"
"You're already living together?!" Andrea asked, ignoring my complaint. "My gosh,
Rylee! This is something! I don't know what to say!"
"I know, right?" I said, grinning from ear to ear. "Now that I think about it, I
feel like squealing too. Hindi ako naka-react masyado kahapon, e."
Andrea held my hands. I gripped hers too, and like a high schooler, we both
squealed pero napatakip din ng mga bibig when we realized that there were people
outside.
"Kaya pala ngiting-ngiti ka d'yan kanina no'ng pumasok ako!" she said. Inayos niya
ang buhok niya na nagulo.
I leaned my back on my seat. "I don't know...it feels like I'm dreaming kasi."
"I am, too!" Si Andrea na mataas pa rin ang boses. "I mean, who would've thought
that after that chasing and praying and begging, you two will end up like this?"
I bit my lower lip. Ang laki-laki ng ngiti sa mga labi ko. Kanina pa ako nakangiti.
It was a good thing talaga na hindi pa ako naayusan! I might look horrible to the
camera!
Kung mayro'ng isang taong nakakaalam ng mga ginawa ko para magpapansin kay North,
si Andrea na 'yon. She knew how much I loved North. She witnessed all my stupidity
ever since high school. Kung minsan pa nga ay sinasama ko siya sa pagpunta sa
college department noon para lang makita si North.
So it wasn't really surprising seeing her react like this. I was actually happy. I
knew that she was happy for me.
I was glad that she was always there for me. Alam na alam niya ang love story namin
ni North.
"E 'di alagang-alaga na kayo ng baby n'yo na 'yan?" she asked.
My smile faltered when I heard her question. Ah, yes...I didn't tell her about my
lies. I couldn't. I didn't want her to see me as pathetic dahil ganoon na ang
tingin ko sarili ko.
This was fine. Her being happy for me.
"Yeah...he cooked dinner and breakfast din 'cause he wanted me to eat more for the
baby."
She squealed again. Pinanood ko na lang siyang kiligin and that made me smile
again. I was glad I had someone like her.
I frowned when she suddenly looked at the closed door of the dressing room.
She leaned towards me again kaya naman lumapit din ako sa kanya, thinking that
she'd whisper something to me.
"So?" Her voice was low. "Ano? May part two na ba?"
Mas lalong kumunot ang noo ko. I looked at her with so much confusion.
"Ano bang part two?" I asked.
"You know..." Her eyes were telling me something.
I was still frowning. When she realized I didn't get it, she rolled her eyes.
"Sex, Rylee, my gosh!" She sounded frustrated. "Ginawa n'yo na, kailangan pa ring
i-point out sa 'yo?"
My eyes widened. Napatingin rin tuloy ako sa pinto, kinakabahan na baka may biglang
pumasok at marinig pa ang pinag-uusapan namin!
"Of course not!" nag-eeskandalo kong sabi. "We're sleeping in separate rooms!"
Mukhang nagulat si Andrea sa sinabi ko pero agad ding napasimangot. "What?
Magkahiwalay na kwarto kayong natutulog?"
"Yes!"
"Hindi kayo tabi sa kama?"
"No! Magkahiwalay nga na kwarto so obviously, separate beds din!"
"What is wrong with North?" I heard her mumble. Napatingin ulit siya sa akin.
"So ano? Anong tawag sa label n'yo? You're just two individuals living under the
same roof for the baby?"
"No!" exaggerated kong sabi while shaking my head. "We're in a relationship!
Girlfriend na 'ko ni North!"
Andrea's eyes squinted. I knew that look. She didn't believe me!
"Are you sure that North knows that you two are in a relationship?" she even asked.
Hindi nga siya naniniwala sa sinabi ko at mukhang iniisip pa yata na nangangarap na
naman ako!
"Of course! Napag-usapan namin 'yon. That was also the day he asked me to move in
with him."
Napaayos siya ng upo and I did the same. She looked like she was in deep thought.
Kunot pa ang noo niya na parang problemado.
"Pero bakit hindi kayo magkatabing matulog?" she asked when she looked at me again.
"I mean, North will take responsibility, right? And you two are in a relationship,
sabi mo nga. Walang problema kung magtatabi kayo sa pagtulog."
I didn't say anything. I didn't have a problem naman kung magkaibang kwarto ang
tinutulugan namin ni North. It was actually impossible for us to live under the
same roof but it still happened. Baka akalain ko pang nasa langit na ako kung
sakali mang pati sa pagtulog ay magtabi kami.
"Baka naman sinabi mong ayaw mong magtabi kayo sa pagtulog?" Andrea asked.
"What? No! I even jokingly asked him kung iisang kwarto ba gagamitin namin."
"Oh? Anong sagot?"
I shook my head. "Wala."
Andrea sighed. Parang ang laki-laki ng problema niya kung makabuntonghininga siya.
Pati tuloy ako ay nahahawa. Instead of being okay that North and I were sleeping in
different rooms, napapaisip tuloy ako na may mali nga sa setup naming dalawa.
It was true, though. We were living together because North thought that he got me
pregnant. Doon pa lang ay may mali na. And maybe he didn't want us to sleep
together because all he wanted to do was take responsibility of our child. Hindi
kasama roon ang magtabi kami sa pagtulog.
"It's alright," sabi ko kay Andrea kahit mabigat ang loob ko sa naging realization.
"North wants to take responsibility of our child. Hindi naman namin kailangang
magtabi sa pagtulog."
"But don't you want it? Tutal nagsasama na lang rin naman kayo."
"He doesn't really love me, Andrea...all of these are happening because there's a
baby involved. Hindi naman mangyayari 'to kung hindi niya 'ko nabuntis. I feel like
he regrets what happened between us."
"Then you should make him fall in love with you!"
"He only sees me as his little sister."
Andrea rolled her eyes. May inis sa mga mata niya nang muling tumingin sa akin.
"Gaga! May nangyari na sa inyo, naniniwala ka pa ring little sister lang ang tingin
niya sa 'yo?" She sounded frustrated. "Kung totoo nga ang sinasabi mo, hinding-
hindi ka niya hahawakan o magpapahalik sa 'yo! Imposible namang bigla na lang
pumasok sa 'yo yung ano niya kaya ka nabuntis, 'di ba?"
What she said sounded so scandalous pero hindi ko maiwasan ang matawa. It felt so
awkward talking about things like this. But...she had a point.
"This is like a dream come true for you, Rylee..." she said. "Don't you think that
you should grab the opportunity and work harder so North will fall in love with
you? He's single, right? And magkakaanak na kayo. Walang mali kung gagawin mo man
'yon."
I fell silent and didn't say anything. Tinitigan ko na lang ang sariling repleksyon
sa salamin. I was smiling but I didn't feel genuinely happy—not this time. Nandoon
ang guilt sa mga mata ko. I'd feel so bad if I took more advantage of the
situation. Nagsinungaling na ako kay North para makasama siya, but then I'd even
use this chance to make him fall for me.
Pero nandito na 'to. I might at least try, right?
I emptied my mind when it was the time for photoshoot. Ayokong mahalata ng sinuman
ang problema. I wanted them to know that I was happy now that I was with North. It
wasn't a secret that I had feelings for him. Baka magtaka sila kung makita nilang
mas problema pa ako ngayon pang nagsasama na kami ni North.
Malaki ang ngiti ko nang sunduin ako ni North. He even waited for a while dahil mas
nauna pa siyang dumating kaysa matapos ang shoot. The staff teased us when they
learned that North was there to take me home, kaya naman nalaman na ng lahat na
nagsasama na kami. They all knew about my feelings for him.
Hindi ko rin naman sinubukang ilihim 'yon.
I was worried that it might bother him that the staff was teasing us, pero nang
tumingin ako sa kanya ay may maliit na ngiti sa mga labi niya. Kaya naman mas
lumawak pa ang ngiti ko sa mga nang-aasar sa amin.
Kilig na kilig ako nang buksan ni North ang pinto ng unit niya pagkauwi namin at
pareho kaming pumasok sa loob. I was welcomed with darkness so North turned on the
lights. Iba sa feeling na magkasama kaming umuwi sa unit niya.
"Wow...I like the style of your unit pero na-realize kong masyadong dull pala yung
color," I honesty said.
Hindi ko kasi masyadong napansin iyon kahapon since may araw pa nang makarating
kami rito and I was overwhelmed with happiness knowing that we'd start living
together.
"Really? I haven't given a lot of thought about the interior," North said as he
started to unbutton his coat.
I shamelessly watched him take off his coat. Pinanood ko rin siya nang buksan niya
ang unang dalawang butones ng inner polo niya. "You can decorate it if you want."
Gulat akong napatingin sa kanya. I even went near him to make sure that he was the
one who said it kahit na kaming dalawa lang naman ang nandito sa loob ng unit niya.
"Really? I can?" tuwang-tuwa kong tanong. But I cleared my throat after and
regained my poise. "But this is your unit. I'm not that shameless to just decorate
it, you know."
I heard North let out a chuckle before he looked at me. His eyes told me that I
just said something ridiculous. "We'll live here together from now on. So this will
be your home too, Rylee."
I bit my inner cheek to stop myself from smiling. Hearing him say that his home was
my home too made me feel butterflies in my stomach.
"But still, I won't just decorate it based on my own taste," I said, trying to find
a reason sa naisip ko na namang paraan para makasama siya. "Why don't you come with
me when I buy things? So you can refuse kung may mapili man ako that isn't to your
liking."
North stared at me. Na-realize ko din na ngayong nagsasama na kami ay madalas na

niya akong titigan. Dati kasi, ramdam ko talaga ang pag-iwas niya.
"Of course, Rylee. Sasama talaga ako sa 'yo," he said. "I promised to take care of
you. Hindi ko hahayaan na mag-isa kang bumili ng mga gamit."
I smiled widely at him. Hindi ko na napigilan ang pagkapit sa braso niya sa sobrang
katuwaan.
"Then let's go buy tomorrow! Wala naman akong scheduled shoot until next week!" I
merrily said and jumped a little. "We can have our date too!"
He gave me a smile. "Let tomorrow be your rest day, Rylee. I know you're tired from
your shoot today."
Napanguso ako. "But what about our date?"
North squinted his eyes but I saw the ghost of a smile on his lips. "I thought we
were going to buy things for the unit?"
"Yeah...but we can have a date too."
Napailing na lang si North at tuluyan nang napangiti. "Alright. Rest tomorrow, and
on the weekend, we can go out, okay? Gusto kong magpahinga ka muna bukas."
Malawak akong napangiti at tumango na sa gusto niya. He was right. I was tired and
I needed a full rest pero hindi ko ipagpapalit ang chance na maka-date siya.
I made up my mind. I'd do everything to make North fall in love with me now that we
were together. I'll make all of this come true.
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16 - 20 minutes
Chapter 14
The weekend came and I was really excited para sa date namin ni North. I made sure
that I looked gorgeous today, 'yong style na hindi mapapalingon si North sa kahit
na sinong babae because he was already with the most gorgeous girl.
Today, I wore a royal blue bodycon dress that emphasized my curves. I put my hair
in a bun and let some strands loose to make it look elegant. I wore diamond stud
earrings and the stones shined every time the light hit them.
Mas nakakakuha ng atensyon ang mga ganitong klaseng accessories. It was simple, but
still eye-catching. Nagsuot din ako ng heels na may taas na two inches to complete
my look.
My makeup was simple. Ang sabi rin naman ni Adrian ay mas bagay sa akin ang
ganitong look. Mas head-turner. Maganda na raw ang facial features ko at
kailangan na lang i-emphasize. Natatabunan lang daw kasi kapag heavy makeup ang
ginagawa sa akin.
I made a final pass at the mirror, and when I felt satisfied with my look, I took
my bag and went out of my room. I quickly saw North in the living room and even
caught him glance at his watch. Siguro ay kanina pa siya naghihintay.
Well, I admit it took me long to fix myself. Gusto ko lang kasi talagang magpa-
impress kay North ngayon.
"North ko..." I called him in a singsong voice.
He looked at me and I noticed him go still. Ilang segundo lang siyang nakatitig sa
akin bago dahang-dahang napatayo. I smiled at him widely, thinking that he was
impressed by my look today.
"So?" I even asked, waiting for him to compliment me 'cause he was just staring at
me. His lips were even parted a bit.
He looked at me from head to toe. Ngiting-ngiti na ako, ready na sa compliment

niya. Pero imbes na iyon ang makuha ko ay napansin ko ang pagsimangot niya.
"What the hell are you wearing?" he asked, frowning.
Nagulat talaga 'ko roon! Nakatingin siya sa suot ko na para bang kasalanan na isuot
ko iyon. Kulang na lang ay mag-isang guhit na ang mga kilay niya sa sobrang
pagkakakunot ng noo niya.
"What?" lito kong tanong. I looked at my dress before looking at him again.
"Um, damit?"
He let out an exasperated sigh. Napahawak pa siya sa bewang niya at inalis muna ang
tingin sa akin. He inhaled and looked at me as he let out the air in his lungs in a
harsh way.
"I know, Rylee...pero bakit ganiyan ang suot mo?"
I gaped at him. Inaasahan ko talaga na sasabihin niyang ang ganda ko ngayon.
I wasn't expecting this reaction from him!
"Anong mali sa suot ko?" Ano? Isa ba siya sa mga lalaking controlling pati sa
pananamit ng mga babae?
"You're pregnant yet you're wearin a fitted dress? Really? Naiipit ang tiyan mo."
He pointed at my shoes. "You're even wearing heels!"
Napasimangot na ako. Of course! He thought that I was pregnant! He was worried

about the baby!
I put my hands on my waist and puffed out my chest so he could have a better look
at my body kahit hindi ko na naman kailangang gawin iyon dahil fitted na naman ang
dress ko.
"Look, my stomach is flat. Hindi naiipit ang baby if that's what you're worried
about. And my heels?" I glanced at my footwear before looking back at him. "I could
even wear six-inch heels and walk fine with it! I'm model, remember?"
"I haven't forgotten what your job is. Inaalala ko lang na baka magkamali ka ng
hakbang at matapilok ka."
I looked at him, offended by his reaction after how many hours I spent just to make
sure that I'd look exceptionally good today.
"You're seriously getting mad at me over this?" masama ang loob kong tanong sa
kanya.
At sa tingin ko ay napansin iyon ni North. I instantly saw the regret in his eyes.
Mukhang na-realize rin ang ginawa niya. He took a deep breath and looked at me with
gentleness in his eyes this time.
"Look, I didn't mean to get mad at you. I'm just worried for you and the baby's
safety."
"I spent hours just to impress you today, North. I want to look beautiful in your
eyes. Pero nagalit ka lang sa 'kin." Hindi ko na napigilan ang sama ng loob ko kaya
nasabi ko na iyon sa kanya.
North sighed. Naglakad siya palapit sa akin at hinawakan ang dalawang braso ko.
Magaan ang dantay ng mga kamay niya sa balat ko. The warmth of his hands was enough
to melt the negative feeling inside me.
"I'm sorry, okay?" he said. "You look beautiful today, baby."
Pinigilan ko ang mapangiti dahil sa kilig na nararamdaman. Gusto kong ipagpatuloy

ang pagtatampo ko kung lalambingin naman pala ako ni North.
"Ngayon lang?" tanong kong napapanguso para hindi mapangiti.
North must've noticed that I felt okay now. He flashed me a smile.

"You know the answer ro your question, Rylee. I know you know how many people find
you beautiful."
"E...I still want to hear the answer from you. Iba naman 'yong sa 'yo nanggaling
talaga."
He let out a soft laugh. "You're beautiful, Rylee. Always beautiful in my eyes."
Tuluyan nang nawala ang sama ng loob ko dahil sa sinabi niya. Hindi ko na rin
pinigilan ang malawak na mapangiti. Gosh! His effect on me was really something! He
could instantly change my mood like that!
"Sabi na, e!" I exclaimed. "Crush mo na rin ako noon pa, 'no? Ayaw mo lang umamin."
Natawa siya at nailing na lang sa sinabi ko. Then he looked at my heels.
Nakita ko ang pag-aalangan sa mga mata niya nang muling tumingin sa akin.
"Can you at least...wear flats, Rylee?" I could even hear the hesitation in his
voice when he asked that. "It's safer for you. You don't have to change your dress
if you don't want to. Just...the shoes, please."
I smiled at him before I nodded my head. "Okay!"
I changed my shoes into flats. I understood since I knew that he was worried for
the baby. Kahit nga naman kaya kong dalhin ang sarili ko even while wearing six-
inch heels, hindi ko pa rin masasabi na pwede ngang hindi ako matapilok kahit two
inches lang ang heels ko.
I even had the guts to get mad at him when he was just worried for my safety...and
the baby's, when in fact I should feel guilty dahil nag-aalala siya sa baby na
hindi naman nag-e-exist.
Maybe...I was thinking that he wouldn't be as worried if it were only me.
Baka nga wala pa siyang pakialam.

I should feel grateful though. I could feel his concern like this. Kahit ba
concerned lang siya sa akin dahil sa baby.
North decided that we should just go to the nearest mall para daw hindi ako
mapagod, and if ever that I felt tired and wanted to go home, madali kaming
makakauwi. Gusto ko sana roon sa malayo but who was I to refuse? I was finally on a
date with him. Matagal ko na 'tong gusto, kaya kahit saan pa ay ayos lang naman sa
'kin.
"We should go to the furniture store," North said when we stepped inside the mall.
"Are you kidding me?" I was even laughing when I asked him that. "I won't go around
while holding the stuff that we'll buy in the furniture store. Ihuli na lang natin
'yon."
"We could put it in the trunk."
"So lalabas pa ulit tayo?"
He scratched his eyebrow. Maya-maya ay napabuntonghininga na lang.
"I was thinking we could buy that first para wala na tayong iintindihina mamaya,"
he reasoned out. "But okay, if that's what you want."
Oh...his idea was good. Ang akala ko kasi ay gusto niya lang na matapos agad ang
gagawin namin 'cause I was sure that he wouldn't go with me today if not for this.
I was worried that he would want to go home right after we bought things for his
condo.
"So? Lunch?" North asked after a while.
I smiled and nodded at him. He gave me a small smile before leading the way to the
restaurant.
Hindi ko maiwasang mapatingin sa mga nakakasalubong namin, especially at those who

looked like they were a couple. They were walking hand in hand, o hindi kaya ay
nakaakbay ang lalaki doon sa babae. They looked sweet, and with one look, everyone
could tell that they were a couple.
Napalingon ako kay North na tahinik na naglalakad sa tabi ko. He looked good and
the women were obviously gawking at him. They were shamelessly checking him out
kahit na nakikita na nilang kasama ako!
But maybe...they thought I wasn't his girlfriend. North was maintaining a safe
distance between us. It was close enough for him to protect me but not close enough
so everyone could tell that we were in a relationship.
I took the first step and held his hand. Halatang nagulat si North sa ginawa ko at
napatingin pa sa kamay kong nakahawak sa kanya. He then looked at me and I just
gave him a reluctant smile. He sighed and held my hand too.
Kahit na hinawakan niya pabalik ang kamay ko ay ramdam ko pa rin ang distansya
niya. Halatang umiiwas. Parang ayaw pa ngang mapadikit sa akin.
So he was really doing everything just for the baby, huh? Kahit kaunti man lang
ba...wala para sa akin?
He was the one who ordered the food. Hindi niya ako hinayaang mag-order sa sarili
ko. I was fine with whatever he chose, though. Pasok pa rin naman sa diet ko.
"You should start eating healthily, Rylee," sabi ni North matapos i-serve sa amin
ang mga pagkain. "You need more nutrients for the baby."
"I am eating healthy, North," I said, trying to hide the negative feeling that was
starting to crawl inside my chest. "Kasama iyon sa diet ko as a model."
"That diet is for maintaining a slim body. Dalawa na kayong nangangailangan ng

nutrients sa katawan mo."
I sighed. I slowly put down the fork and knife on my plate and looked at him.
"Are we seriously having this argument again?"

He frowned. Tinitigan niya ako and his eyes roamed around my face. Nakita ko ang
pagtatyanta sa mukha niya nang muli siyang magsalita. "I'm not having an argument
with you, Rylee. I was just telling you what's good for you."
"Well, this is my body, North, I know what's good for me. Thank you for telling me,
though."
I took the spoon and knife again and started cutting my steak. Hindi ko na ulit
tiningnan si North pero ramdam kong nakatitig siya sa akin. Hindi ko rin
nararamdaman ang pagkilos mula sa kanya kaya sa tingin ko ay natigil din ang pag-
kain niya.
Then I heard him sigh.
"Is this the mood swings again?"
Napatigil ako sa pag-kain at napatingin sa kanya. Concern was in his eyes.
"Are you okay?" he asked.
Napatitig na lang ako kay North. I instantly felt guilty with my actions towards
him.
What the hell was I doing? Bakit ba nagagalit ako sa kanya? He didn't even do
anything wrong! He was just concerned kasi nga ang alam niya ay buntis ako!
And between the two of us, si North pa nga ang may karapatang magalit sa akin dahil
nagsisinungaling ako sa kanya!
I sighed. I looked at him. I felt the pain inside my chest when I saw the genuine
concern in his eyes.
"I'm sorry..." I said. "I was just..."
Hindi ko na naituloy ang sasabihin ko. I was really stressed out with everything—
mula sa kasinungalingan ko, sa mga consequences ng pagsisinungaling ko. Sa kanya ko
tuloy nabubunton ang lahat.
"It's okay." The pain inside my chest just doubled when he said that. "I
understand, Rylee. You're being like this because of your pregnancy."
I couldn't do anything but smile at him. Pero hindi man lang umabot iyon sa mga
mata ko.
"Let's finish our food and have our date, okay?" he said. "Let's enjoy the day,
Rylee."
I nodded at him and continued eating. Itinuloy niya na rin ang pag-kain niya nya at
hindi na ako muling nagsalita.
I said I'd do anything to make him fall in love with me, pero masyado na akong
kinakain ng konsensya ko kaya kahit gusto kong gawin iyon ay hindi ko masimulan. I
wasn't used to lying. Ito na ang pinakamalaking kasalanang nagawa ko kaya hindi ko
alam kung anong gagawin.
I tried to ignore my guilt and continued with my plan. Pero sa bawat kilos at
salita ni North, naaalala ko lang ang kasalanan ko sa kanya.
"What would you like to do today?" North asked when we went out the restaurant.
"Um...let's go watch a movie!" I tried to act bubbly like I'd always been. I didn't
want to make him worry anymore.
Ang akala ko ay hindi papayag si North sa gusto ko, pero nagulat ako nang sumama
siya sa akin. Kahit nang napili kong panoorin ay isang romance movie, which he'd
probably find cringey, hindi rin siya nagreklamo. He even bought popcorn and drinks
for us.
I always wanted to do this with him. Palagi kong ini-imagine noon na magkasamang
kaming nanonood ng sine, kaya naman masaya ako na mangyayari na iyon. In my
imagination, I was leaning my head on his shoulder and he had his arm wrapped
around me as we watched the movie.
Magkatabi kami sa sinehan at doon kami sa taas pumwesto, pero mukhang mali yata ang
naisip ang na manood kami ng sine ngayon. There were couples everywhere around us.
It made me realize that North was just here with me because of the baby.
After that night, hindi na niya ako muling hinawakan. I had to ask him first and
even had to use the baby as an excuse for him to hug me.
I wasn't in the mood the rest of the day, but I willed myself to act like I wasn't
thinking about anything. That I was happy with him.
After we bought things at the furniture store, North drove us home. Pareho kaming
tahimik habang nagmamaneho lang siya. I didn't have an idea what was on his mind.
Tumingin na lang ako sa labas ng bintana and just stared at the lights.
Wala pa ring nagsasalita sa aming dalawa kahit na nang makasakay kami sa elevator
at makapasok sa condo niya. Dire-diretso na sana akong papasok sa loob ng kwarto ko
pero napatigil din nang marinig ko siyang magsalita.
"What's the problem, Rylee?"
I turned around and looked at him. He was looking at me with seriousness in his
eyes.
"What?" I asked.
He brushed his hair using his fingers kaya naman nagulo ang ayos ng buhok niya.
Some strands fell on his forehead. "You werne't your usual self today, Ilang araw
ko na ring napapansin na tahimik ka," he said.
That surprised me. Hindi ko alam na napapansin niya 'yon. I tried to act normally.
To act cheerful and bubbly around him.
I didn't even have the right to feel guilty so I might as well ignore the negative
feeling, pero mukhang hindi ko naman nagagawa.
I sighed. "It's just the pregnancy, North," palusot ko.

"Maybe...but I want you to tell what's going on in your mind. You're not alone
here, Rylee. I told you that I'll take responsibility, right?"
Napatitig na lang ako sa kanya. The words that he just said pained me. I know that
he didn't mean to pero parang pinapaalam niya sa akin na lahat ng mga kinikilos
niya ay para lang sa baby.
"I know, North...kaya nga ayoko na lang malaman mo kung anong iniisip ko."
He walked towards me. "What? What is it?"
I shook my head but my eyes started to water. Damn it...I felt so pathetic.
"Rylee..." malambing na tawag ni North sa pangalan ko.
He cupped my face and made me look at him. Nanginig ang labi ko nang makita ang
pag-aalala sa mga mata niya.
"Tell me...what is it, hmm?"
"You don't love me..." I said. Kasabay noon ay ang pagtulo ng luha sa mata ko.
North looked surprised pero mabilis din siyang nakabawi. He wiped the tears off my
cheeks with his thumb.
"I was hoping that you'd feel something for me when we start to live together," I
said. "Pero mas lalo ko lang naramdaman ang pagiging ilag mo sa
'kin."
I sobbed. I was so selfish. North was already with me, and yet, I still wanted his
heart.
"Tell me, North. Do you regret what happened between us?"
"Rylee—"
"Do you regret everything? Do you regret asking me to live with you? Talaga bang
ayaw mo sa 'kin at mas lalo ka pang umiwas ngayong magkasama na tayo?"
He didn't say anything but I noticed his expression darken. Thinking that he was
mad, the tears fell from my eyes even more.
"You didn't have to take responsibility if you didn't want to, North!"
I barely finished saying those words when he suddenly pulled my face closer to him
and slammed his lips into mine. The next thing I knew, he was already kissing me.
www.wattpad.com
17 - 21 minutes
Chapter 15
Suddenly, it felt like the whole world stopped. My mind went blank and all I could
think about was North's warm and soft lips against mine.
This wasn't even the first time that we kissed. Pero kahit ganoon ay nandoon pa rin
ang epekto niya sa akin na mas tumitindi lang yata sa bawat pagkakataon. It became
more intense, fierier, that I thought I would melt while he was kissing me.
It wasn't a surprise. I'd had feelings for him for as long as I could remember.
Lahat ng mga ginagawa niya, kahit maliliit na bagay, ay nagbibigay sa akin ng
kakaibang epekto.
I guess that was how love worked. Kapag mahal mo ang isang tao, mapapansin mo
talaga kahit ang kaliit-liitang bagay sa kanila. Their actions, words, and even
their presence had an effect on you. They could make you feel sad, then happy in
just a span of seconds.
Ilang sandali ay tumigil din si North sa paghalik sa akin. He slowly pulled away.
Nakita ko pa ang seryosong titig nya sa mga labi ko nang humiwalay siya bago ako
pinakatitigan sa mga mata.
I couldn't say anything and just stared back at him. Ang lakas-lakas ng tibok ng
puso ko. It was so loud and beating so quickly that I think North heard it too.
Maging ang paghinga ko ay mabilis na hindi ko namalayang kanina pa pala ako hindi
humihinga.
I opened my mouth but closed it when I realized I couldn't think of anything to say
to him. Bigla na lang nablangko ang utak ko at hindi makaisip ng kung ano bukod sa
naging paghalik niya sa akin.
"Rylee..." North mumbled.
Dahan-dahan ang ginawa kong pagsinghap. His voice sounded so hoarse and deep
against the four walls of his condo unit. Masyadong tahimik kaya para bang nag-e-
echo sa akin ngayon ang pagtawag niya sa pangalan ko.
"Yeah?" It came out my mouth like a whisper. Hindi ko mahanap ang boses ko dahil sa
sobrang gulat sa ginawa niya.
North stared at me for a while. Maya-maya ay nakita ko siyang humugot ng malalim na

paghinga.
"I don't regret anything, Rylee," he said. "I don't regret anything that happened
between us."
My lips trembled. I looked at him, not believing what he just said.
What now, Rylee? This is what you wanted to hear from him, right? Bakit hindi mo
paniwalaan ang sinasabi niya?
I just...didn't know. Natatakot akong marinig mula sa kanya na pinagsisisihan niya

ang nangyari sa aming dalawa kaya sinubukan kong itago ang iniisip kong iyon mula
sa kanya. I didn't even want to entertain that thought. I thought I was happy with
what was happening but I knew that it would hurt me big time if he admitted that.
"I'm not..." he softly started. Marahan ang pagsasalita niya. "Well, if there's one
thing I didn't like, it was that I dragged you in this situation when you're still
young."
Napasimangot ako sa kanya.

"I'm not a kid anymore, North! I'm twenty-five! I can build my own family and you
know that!"
"Yes..." Marahan pa rin ang pagsasalita niya. He even held me on my arms again na
parang pinapakalma ako. "But you can still do many things, Rylee.
You have a career and there's a lot of opportunities waiting for you. Not..."
His hand pointed from himseld to me. "...This."
I stared at him. Nakikita ko ang panghihinayang sa mga mata niya and it was hurting
me.
"Don't you think that this is what I wanted the most?" I asked. "Having a family
with you?"
Hindi nakapagsalita si North at nanatili lang ang titig niya sa akin. His hands
were still holding my arms. Magaan lang ang pagkakahawak niya at parang ayaw
diinan. It made me think that he didn't even want to hold me at all.
"You can just say it, North." My voice broke. "Na ayaw mo naman talagang nandito
ako. Ayaw mong makasama ako."
"What?" He looked like I just said something ridiculous. "I asked you to live with
me 'cause I want you to live with me, Rylee! Hinding-hindi ko iaalok
'yon sa 'yo kung ayaw ko naman!"
Nangilid ang luha ko kaya kinagat ko ang labi.
"Then why does it feels like you're avoiding me?" My voice trembled.
"Pakiramdam ko mas naging malayo ka pa sa akin mula nang magsama tayo!"
"Rylee—"
"Why, North? Bakit parang ayaw mong mahawakan ako?"
"'Cause I won't be able to control myself!"
Napatigil ako nang marinig ang sinabi niya. Napatulala na lang ako sa kanya at ang
mga luhang nagbabantang tumulo kanina ay mukhang napigil din ang pagtulo. Wala
akong masabi kaya napatitig na lang ako sa kanya.
North removed his hold from my arms and took a step back from me. He looked
frustrated. Narinig ko pa ang mahinang pagmumura niya bago marahas na pinadaanan ng
mga daliri ang buhok. Ngayon ko lang siyang nakitang ganito kaya naman hindi ko
maalis ang tingin ko sa kanya.
He was always that calm and collected man. Even when the news about my pregnancy
broke out, he calmly accepted it. He tried to fix everything in a calm way kaya nga
nandito ako ngayon at kasama siya sa loob ng unit niya. He always handled things in
a mature way, na para bang pinag-iisipan niya muna ang lahat bago gumawa ng kilos.
Hindi katulad ko na palaging nauuna ang emosyon.
That was why it surprised me to see him like this. He looked frustrated and lost,
like he didn't know what to do. Mukha ring pinapakalma niya ang sarili niya base sa
sunod-sunod na pagkuha niya ng malalalim na paghinga.
He exhaled harshly and looked at me. I was surprised when I saw the frustration
even in his dark eyes.
"You have no idea how much I try to control myself around you, Rylee..."
hirap na hirap niyang sabi.
I stared at him, a little lost. Hindi ko maintindihan ang ibig niyang sabihin doon.
"Why?" tanong kong litong-lito.
He frowned. "What do you mean why? You're my best friend's little sister!"
"I know! And I'm aware that Kuya Zoren was against us having a relationship!"
Nagsisimula na rin akong ma-frustrate. "But something already happened between us!
I am now pregnant with your child! And I'm your girlfriend, right?"
North sighed. Napapikit pa siya nang mariin at kunot na kunot ang noo niya.
Nang magdilat siya ng mga mata ay nakita ko ang paghihirap doon. "I was drunk that
night. Lahat ng pagpipigil ko sa sarili ko, kumawala nang gabing 'yon."
I looked at him. Hurt was in my eyes. "Are you saying that you regret what
happened?" Akala ko ba hindi niya pinagsisisihan 'yon?
Marahas siyang napakawala ng buntonghininga. Humakbang siya palapit siya na hindi

inaalis ang tingin sa mga mata ko.
"Don't you get it, Rylee? I'm always controlling myself around you...but I don't
regret what happened that night."
I just stared at him and didn't say anything. My mind was still processing what he
just said. North was looking down at me. Titig na titig siya sa mukha ko na para
bang ayaw na niyang alisin ang tingin sa akin.
My lips parted when I finally got what he was trying to say. North's eyes moved
down to my parted lips. Napansin ko ang paglunok niya habang nakatitig sa mga labi
ko.
"You don't have to control yourself around me anymore, North..." I said.
Mula sa mga labi ko ay umangat ang tingin niya papunta sa mukha ko. There was
something in his eyes. Nakita ko na ang emosyon na iyon noon. I saw that emotion
from that night when something happened between us.
"In fact, you don't even have to do that," I continued. "I'm always yours, North."
"Rylee...you don't know what you're saying."
"I know. Alam na alam ko, North."
Hinawakan ko ang mukha niya. The emotions in his eyes grew more intense the moment
that I touched him.
"I love you, North," buong puso kong sabi sa kanya. "And I'll do anything so you'll
love me back."
I noticed how his Adam's apple moved when he gulped harshly. Palipat-lipat ang
tingin niya sa mga mata at labi ko. He was breathing hard, like he was restraining
myself. Pero maya-maya ay napansin ko ang pag-igting ng panga niya.
"Oh, to hell with it," he cursed before I felt his hand on my nape and pulled me in
to give me another kiss.
I was prepared this time so I wrapped my arms around his neck for support dahil
pakiramdam ko ay nanginginig ang mga tuhod ko. Ganoon kalakas ang epekto ng halik
niya sa akin. It was enough to make my knees go jelly and make me feel like I was
melting.
Ang isang braso niya ay pumulupot sa bewang ko at hinigit ang katawan ko palapit sa
kanya. I did the same. Hinila ko siya palapit sa akin kahit na wala magkadikit na
ang mga katawan namin at kahit hangin ay hindi makakadaan sa pagitan noon.
His lips moved and I just followed his lead. I answered his kisses. Ramdam na
ramdam ko kung gaano kalambot ang mga labi niya sa paraan ng paghalik niya.
I pulled him even closer. Hindi ako kuntento sa lapit naming dalawa. I wanted him
closer. I wanted to feel that he was mine. I wanted to feel him more.
My fingers dug onto his hair that made him groan. Naramdaman ko ang pagpisil niya
sa bewang ko. He even bit my lower lip that made me gasp and he took that chance to
delve his tongue in my mouth.
Nakaramdaman ako ng panghihina sa ginagawa niya. He was only kissing me but I was
starting to feel like this. His effect on me was just too much. It was enough to
knock the air out in my lungs.
I was breathing really hard when he left my lips as he kissed my cheeks, and his
lips made their way down to my jaw. I whimpered and held onto him more when I felt
his lips on my neck. Nakikiliti ako sa bawat pagdantay ng hininga niya sa leeg ko.
Suddenly, the air felt so hot. Sunod-sunod na rin ang paghinga ko ay sa bibig na
ako kumukuha ng hangin dahil pakiramdam ko ay pangangapusan na ako ng hininga.
North's tongue made circles on the most sensitive spot on my neck. Hindi ko kinaya
ang sensasyon kaya bumigay ang mga tuhod ko. North was already holding me. Nasalo
niya ako bago pa ako bumagsak sa sahig.
He carried me bridal style and kissed me on the lips again. Kumapit ako sa mga
balikat niya at tinugon ang halik niya. I was thinking of nothing but his soft
lips. I dreamed for so long to kiss him like this. And knowing that he wasn't drunk
right now made me feel so happy. Ibig sabihin ay walang alak na tumutulak sa kanya
para halikan ako. He was kissing me of his volition.
I was so engrossed with our kissing kaya naman nagulat ako nang maramdaman ang
paglapat ng likod ko sa malambot na kama. I opened my eyes for a while and noticed
we weren't in my room—we were in his.
North stopped kissing me and stared at me for a while. I saw the desire in his
eyes. Kumabog ang dibdib ko nang makita iyon sa mga mata niya. It made his black
eyes even darker with lust.
"You don't know what you're doing to me, baby..." he whispered as he caressed my
cheeks. Napapikit na lang ako nang maramdaman ang masuyong paghaplos niya.
He kissed me again. Naramdaman ko ang paglundo ng kama nang sumampa siya doon. He
was on top of me, kissing me until I was out of air. Saglit kaming naghiwalay para
kumuha ng hangin pero muli ring bumalik sa paghahalikan.
He kissed me deeply this time. Naging marahas ang paghalik niya. Madiin. He was
even biting my lip. It stung but it added pleasure to what I was feeling.
Ang mga kamay ko ay kusang umangat at isa-isang tinanggal sa pagkakabutones ang

polo niya. My hands were trembling and North might've noticed that I was taking too
long to unbutton his polo kaya naman tinulungan niya ako. He removed his top
without breaking our kiss and just tossed it behind him.
My lips felt numb when he left them and made his way to my ears. I whimpered when
he bit my earlobe and licked my ear. Napasinghap na lang ako at napatingala sa
ginagawa niya.
"Let me taste every inch of you, baby..." he whispered. My toes curled when I heard
his husky voice. "Let me remember every part of your body."
My body arched when I felt his hand on my body as he unzipped my dress. He did it
slowly, making it more sensual as he stared in my eyes. Dahan-dahan niyang ibinaba
ang ulo niya at naramdaman ko ang paghalik niya sa balikat ko.
He removed my dress and I was left in nothing but my undies. Naramdaman ko ang
marahan niyang paghaplos sa katawan ko. His calloused hands felt rough against my
soft skin.
He kissed me again. Mas marahas na ngayon. Mas naging mapaghanap. Ang mga kamay ko
ay naging malikot sa pagdama ng katawan niya. I caressed his shoulders, to his
broad chest, down to his abs. My fingers felt his muscles and they were so hard to
touch.
"Rylee..." North moaned my name. I felt goosebumps when he said that in a sensual
way. It sounded so sexy on his lips.
His lips went down on my neck, down to the valley of my breasts. He unhooked my
brassiere and tossed it somewhere before I felt him wrap one of my nipples inside
his mouth. His hand fondled the other one.
"North..." I couldn't help but moan his name when I felt that strange but familiar
feeling.
He flicked his tongue and whimpered with the sensation. Napayakap na lang ako sa
kanya nang hindi ko makayanan ang nararamdaman dahil sa ginagawa niya.
It felt so good. His every touch, his every kiss...I knew that he was the only one
who could make me feel this way.
He lips went down further, looking for more. Sunod-sunod ang mabibilis na paghinga
ko. I looked down and watched him as he slowly pulled my undies down. Tumingala
muna siya sa akin bago niya ginawa iyon.
He bended my knees on the bed and parted my legs. I was completely exposed and
naked in front of him. I was embarrassed, but when I saw the desire and lust in his
eyes, it made my heart beat even faster.
Without breaking our eye contact, he kissed my inner thighs. I was breathing
through my mouth. The sensation was too much that it was making me feel different
emotions.
He kissed his way up. Napakagat na lang ako sa ibabang labi ko habang hinihintay
niyang marating ang parteng iyon. He looked at me one last time before I felt his
tongue lick the most sensitive part of my body.
My head fell back on the bed and I let out a long moan when I felt his tongue on my
core. He was licking and lapping, and my body writhed with the sensation. It was
making my head go dizzy with pleasure. All I could feel was his tongue playing with
my core.
I gripped the bedsheet when I felt something building inside my tummy. I was
already breathing so hard. Hindi ko na alam kung saan ibabaling ang ulo ko at
napahawak na ako sa buhok niya at sumabunot doon.
"North—" I said helplessly when I felt like something will burst inside me.
But North didn't stop. He continued licking and touching my core. I let out a long
moan and my toes curl when I finally felt my release.
Hinihingal ako nang matapos. North drank all my juice bago niya tinigilan iyon at
tumayo.
I was still catching my breath as North unbuckled his belt. My heart hammered
inside my chest as I watched him strip in front of me. Ang mga mata niya ay
nakatitig lang din sa akin hanggang sa hinubad na niya ang pantalon niya at ang
boxer shorts niya.
I saw it before. But it still caught me off-guard when he was naked in front of me.
I couldn't take my eyes off him. His body looked so perfect. His body was way
better kaysa sa nakakapareho kong male models sa mga project ko.
He positioned himself on top of me. He placed himself between my thighs.
Bumaba siya para halikan ako at tinugon ko naman iyon. His manhood was already
poking my entrance.
"Rylee..." he moaned my name between our kisses as he slowly inserted his shaft
inside me.
Napatigil ako sa paghalik sa kanya at napahawak sa mga balikat niya. My insides

were stretching for him. I bit my lower lip when I felt the pain as he continued
pushing himself inside me.
"Baby..." dinig kong bulong niya sa tainga ko at mas bumaon pa.
He didn't move for a while and let me adjust for him. I felt so full of him.
Damang-dama ko siya sa loob ko. My vision blurred with tears because of so much
happiness.
He was inside me. Our bodies became one again. It was a dream come true again.
He started moving and thrusted his hips in and out. I was moaning with his every
push. Sinasabayan ko ang paggalaw nya at naramdaman kong naging marahas ang
paglabas-pasok niya sa loob ko.
He hands caressed my body, pumipisil sa bewang ko. His head dipped and inserted my
nipple in his mouth again.
I could feel that something was building inside me again. Mahahaba at malalakas na
ang kumakawalang ungol mula sa bibig ko. Ang mga kuko ko ay bumabaon na sa balat
niya.
"North...I'm coming," I whispered when I felt that I was about to reach my peak.
The tears fell from my eyes. I cried from the sensation. Nag-angat ng tingin si
North at hinalikan niya ang mga luhang tumulo sa pisngi ko.
I will never forget this. Sobrang saya ko. North's touch felt so different.
It was so different from before that it made me think that he really had feelings
for me.
He thrusted his hips faster and harder this time. I felt like I was going crazy
from the sensation I was feeling.
North groaned when I moved my hips with him. He held onto my waist. Madiin ang
pagkakahawak niya roon na halos bumaon sa balat ko ang mga daliri niya, then he
started moving even faster. A few more thrusts and we both reached our peak. He
released his warm load inside of me.
Hinihingal na bumagsak ang katawan ni North sa ibabaw ko. He was heavy but I didn't
care. Instead, I wrapped my arms around his body and hugged him.
I closed my eyes, feeling satisfied. I felt him kiss my hair before I drifted to
sleep.
www.wattpad.com
14 - 17 minutes
Chapter 16
I woke up and was confused when I was welcomed with an unfamiliar room. I looked
around, trying to remember where I was and what happened that I ended up here. But
when I felt my nakedness under the comforter, my lips automatically broke in a
smile.
My mind flooded with memories with what happened last night. Ngiting-ngiti ako at
hindi ko na napigilan ang kiligin nang maalala ang lahat. I could still feel
North's touch and caress against my skin. Ramdam ko ang pamumula ng mukha ko pero
mas lamang ang nararamdaman kong kasiyahan ngayon.
I looked to my side, expecting that I'd see North beside me, but he was already
gone and I realized that I was alone in the bed. Agad na nawala ang kasiyahang
nararamdaman ko, ilang minuto lang ang lumipas. I felt emptiness inside me as I
stared at the empty space beside me.
Ganito rin ang nangyari noong unang beses na may nangyari sa aming dalawa. He left
me alone without even saying goodbye. He could at least wait for me to wake up
before leaving. Or even leave a note or text me. Pero walang kasing ano akong
nakita na nagsasabi kung saan siya nagpunta.
Katulad lang rin noon. He left me alone in bed.
I gulped as I sat down on the bed and covered my body with the comforter.
Pakiramdam ko kasi ay maiiyak lang ako if I gave it too much thought, pero hindi ko
lang mapigilan ang mapaisip, especially after what happened. I just fell in love
with him even more.
What went wrong this time? Naaalala ko pa na may naramdaman akong kakaiba sa bawat
haplos niya. I knew that it was different from before.
Nagkamali lang ba ako? Was I just assuming things?
Napatingin ako sa pintuan nang magbukas at inuluwa si North na napatigil at mukhang

nagulat pa nang makitang gising na ako at nakaupo na sa kama. He was already
wearing a plain shirt and shorts. I noticed him holding a food tray.
Pumasok siya at inilapag iyon sa bedside table. I looked at it and saw bacon,
hotdog, and a warm glass of milk.
"You're awake," he said and sat down on the side of the bed. "How are you feeling?"
His hair was a bit damp. He looked so fresh. Ang gwapo-gwapo niya sa paningin ko.
Nakatitig lang ako sa kanya, hindi makapagsalita. One moment ago, I felt like it
was the worst day of my life thinking that he left me again. But now he was here.
"Rylee?" he said when I didn't say anything. Kita ko pa ang pag-aalala sa mga mata
niya. "What is it? May masakit ba sa 'yo? Did I hurt you?"
Mabilis akong umiling. I didn't want him to worry so I gave him a wide smile.
Mas lumawak ang ngiti ko nang sa wakas ay mag-sink in na rin sa akin na nandito nga
siya sa harapan ko ngayon.
"I feel great!" I said cheerfully. "Good morning, North!"

He let out a sigh of relief. Umangat ang kamay niya at iniipit ang ilang hibla ng
buhok kong tumatakip sa mukha ko. Then he gave me a small smile.
"Good morning, Rylee."
Kinuha niya ang food tray na nasa bedside table at maingat iyong inilapag sa
harapan ko. Iniipit ko ang comforter sa pagitan ng mga braso at katawan ko para
hindi iyon mahulog. North gave me the utensils so I took those from him.
"Ubusin mo 'to," sabi ni North nang magsimula akong kumain.
I giggled and looked at him. "Wow, breakfast in bed! Ang sweet naman ng North ko."
I even smiled at him teasingly.
He scoffed softly and assisted me with my food. Paminsan-minsan ay sinusubuan ko

siya na hindi niya naman tinatanggihan kaya naman tuwang-tuwa ako,
Ah...it felt so good waking up like this every morning. I never would've thought
that I'd be able to have a moment like this with North! Ang akala ko ay sa
panaginip ko lang mangyayari ang ganito!
"I feel bad..." sabi ko sa pagitan ng pagkain ko. "You're always the one cooking
for us. You should leave the cooking to me."
"It's okay," he said. "I told you that you're here because I want to take care of
you."
"Pero gusto kong ipagluto ka," reklamo ko sa kanya. "You know, I actually tried to
learn how to cook just for you."
He frowned. Sinubuan ko siya ng bacon na agad niya namang tinanggap.
"For me?" he asked. Tumango ako sa kanya.
"Yes! I was hoping you'll fall in love with me because of my cooking skills!"
I smiled at him. "You know the saying, right? That the way to a man's heart is
through his stomach."
He laughed softly because of what I said. Napailing pa na parang may nakakatawa

akong sinabi.
"Hey, naniniwala ako roon," sabi ko pa sa kanya. "Kaya leave the cooking to me na.
Para naman ma-in love ka na sa 'kin." I winked at him.
Napangiti ako nang matawa siya. I felt so happy seeing him like this with me.
Minsan ko lang kasi siyang makitang ganito sa akin noon. Hirap na hirap akong
pangitiin at patawanin siya dahil nga palagi niya na lang akong itinataboy noon.
I was glad that everything is okay better between us now.
"Are you sure that you're feeling okay?" tanong ni North sa akin maya-maya.
I looked at him. Tapos na ako sa pagkain kaya inilapag na niya ang food tray sa
bedside table. He gave me the glass of milk.
"Yes. I feel fine."
"I've been thinking that we should visit a doctor and have your checkup."
Natigilan ako sa sinabi niya at agad na kinabahan. I hid that feeling by drinking
the glass of milk instead. Nakatitig sa akin si North kaya natakot ako na baka
mahalata niya ang kaba ko. It was a good thing that the milk was warm. It made me
feel calm and helped me act normal in front of him.
"I said I feel fine, North," I said when I put down the glass. "You don't have to
worry. You were gentle with me last night."
He took a deep breath and sighed. "Still, you should see an OB-GYN. Para makasiguro
na rin tayo na walang problema sa pagbubuntis mo."
"I...already had my checkup, North," I said. Iyon na lang ang naisip kong sabihin
para hindi na niya ako piliting magpunta sa doctor.
I was too nervous. Pakiramdam ko ay umaakyat sa lalamunan ko ang lahat ng mga

kinain ko kanina. I was gulping too hard. Sunod-sunod din ang naging paglunok ko
para mapigilan ang pagsusuka sa sobrang kaba.
Of course...North was overprotective of the baby, so it wasn't a surprise that he'd

ask me something like this. Hindi ko lang inaasahan na ngayon mangyayari 'yon kaya
hindi ko napaghandaan ang isasagot ko. I was too happy
last night, pero ngayon ay kabang-kaba ako na feeling ko ay lalabas na sa dibdib ko

ang puso ko sa sobrang bilis at lakas ng tibok noon.
North frowned. Nagtataka ang mga mata niyang tumingin sa akin. "What? When?"
he asked.
Mabilis akong nag-isip ng isasagot. "Um...no'ng nag-out of the country shoot ako,"
I answered. "I was feeling sick so I decided to go to the hospital there. The
doctor said that I was pregnant."
"Where's the record?" he asked.
"Ha?" tanong kong kabang-kaba. Malikot na rin ang mga mata ko at hindi na
makatingin nang diretso sa kanya. "Ano...I...I l-left in the h-hotel where I was
staying at."
North just stared at me and didn't say anything. Bahagya pa ring nakakunot ang noo
niya, parang may iniisip. I was really nervous as I waited for him to speak.
Nakahinga lang ako nang maluwag nang tumango na siya.
"Okay," he said. "But you still need to get your checkup here."
"I understand..." sabi ko na lang kahit sa isip ko ay nag-iisip na naman ako ng

palusot. "Magpapa-schedule na lang ako."
"I know someone. Bakit hindi ka na lang sa kanya magpa-checkup?" he said.
"Huh? May kilala kang obstetrician?" This wasn't good.
He nodded. "Si Mia. Remember her? She's an obstetrician."
Napasimangot kaagad ako nang marinig ang binanggit niyang pangalan. Of course. I
remembered her so well. Feeling ko pa nga ay hindi ko na makakakilumutan kung sino
siya!
She was the reason why I made a lie about my pregnancy! I was so threatened and
scared that they'd end up together so I did something so reckless. At hinding-hindi
ko rin makakalimutan ang mga sinabi niya sa akin noon!
I smiled widely at North. It was a sarcastic smile. North must've noticed it

because he looked stunned and confused.
"Of course, North. I won't be able to forget who she is."
He blinked. Ilang sandal siyang napatitig sa akin bago alanganin na tumango.
"Sa kanya ka na lang magpa-checkup," sabi pa niya kaya hindi ko na talaga napigilan
ang inis ko.
"Really, North?' I scoffed. "I get na maraming nagkakagusto sa 'yo, hindi lang ako.
Pero may pagkamanhid ka rin pala talaga, 'no?"
"What?" North looked dumbfounded. Nakakunot ang noo niya at hindi makapaniwala ang
tingin sa akin.
I frowned at him. "You're recommending that woman to do a checkup on me? On our

baby?"
"What's the problem with that?" Mukhang hindi pa rin niya makuha ang punto ko.
"She's my friend. I trust her kaya gusto kong siya ang mag-checkup sa
'yo."
It was my turn to be surprised. I gaped at him.
"That woman has feelings for you, North!" Kulang na lang ay isigaw koi yon sa kanya
para lang maintindihan niya. "She looked so happy that night at the dinner habang
pinapapareha kayo ng mga magulang n'yo. She also said things to me that triggered
me to announce my pregnancy that night!"
Bumalik tuloy ang inis ko dahil sa mga narinig kong binitiwang salita sa akin ni
Mia noon. I was so pissed! Tapos no'ng pinagpapareha na sila ni North, she looked
like a saint! Patawa-tawa pa na akala mo walang sinabi sa aking masama!
"What if she does something with our baby? She knows that you're just with me
because of the baby!"
North sighed. Hinawakan niya ang dalawang mga braso ko. He even caressed it,
calming me down. I could feel the warmth of his hands directly as I was still naked
right now. Isinantabi ko muna iyon dahil masyado pa akong inis sa narinig kay
North.
"Relax, okay?" he softly said. Huminga ako nang malalim para pakalmahin ang sarili
ko. "Mia won't do that. She's a professional."
I glared at him. I shoved the glass of milk to him kaya napilitan siyang alisin ang
mga kamay niyang humahaplos sa mga braso ko para hawakan ang baso.
I stood up, taking the comforter with me.
"Pinatatanggol mo pa talaga yung babaeng 'yon, huh?" inis kong sabi nang tumingin
sa kanya. "Siguro may realsyon talaga kayo, 'no?"
"What?" kunot na kunot ang noong tanong ni North. "I told you she's just my friend,
Rylee. Stop being unreasonable."
"Oh, now I'm being unreasonable?" Hindi makapaniwala ko siyang tiningnan.
"Mia has feelings for you! She even told me to stay away from you at kung ano-ano
pa! Then you tell me to have my checkup from that woman? Tapos ako pa
'tong magmumukhang unreasonable when I just want to protect our child?"
I know I wasn't being like this just because it was Mia. I was afraid as well.
Dahil may kakilalang doctor si North na pwedeng tumingin sa akin, hindi na ako
makakaisip ng anumang palusot sa kanya kung ipagpipilitan niya ang gusto niya.
I didn't know how long my lie would last. Sooner or later, mahahalata ni North na
hindi lumalaki ang tiyan ko. Mahahalata niya na hindi naman talaga ako buntis. So I
had to make him fall in love with before he discovered the truth.
I heard North sigh and stand up. Humakbang siya palapit sa akin at magaan na
hinawakan ang mga balikat ko.
"Alright...I get it," he said softly. "I'm sorry. Calm down, okay?"
Nakasimangot pa rin ako sa kanya kaya binigyan niya ako ng isang ngiti at marahan
akong hinila palapit pa sa kanya. He wrapped his arms around me and I felt him
caress my hair softly. Magaan niyang hinahaplos ang buhok ko, and in no time, I
felt already calm.
I sighed and hugged him back. Ibinaon ko ang mukha ko sa dibdib nya, trying to get
the nervousness out of my chest. Takot na takot ako kanina na baka makahalata na
siya sa kasinungalingan ko.
It was so sudden. Hindi ko alam ang isasagot ko sa mga tanong niya kaya mas pinili
ko na lang ang magalit para malimutan niya ang mga iyon. I knew that I was being
really unfair to him, but I couldn't bear for him to know my lies.
Not now. Huwag ngayong hindi na niya ako nilalayuan at ramdam kong iba na ang
pakikitungo niya sa akin.
"Don't you have work today?" I asked, still not letting go of him.
Nakapambahay lang kasi siya.
"No. I want to stay home with you."
And just like that, all my worries, fears, and other negative feelings were lifted
off my chest. He could easily calm me down with just a few words.
Kahit nga ang yakap niya ay sapat na sa akin.
I was really glad that I was finally able to hold him like this.
I inhaled his scent before I let him go and gave him a smile. Bahagya pa akong
nakatingala sa kanya dahil mas matangkad siya sa akin.
"Then help me decorate your unit."
"Now?" He sighed when I nodded. "You don't really know when to rest, do you?"
I giggled and walked towards the bathroom. Bago ako tuluyang pumasok doon ay
nolingon ko pa siya.
"Wait for me outside, North ko." I gave him a wink before I closed the bathroom
door.
I heard him chuckle. Napangiti ako bago sumandal sa nakapinid na pinto ng banyo. My
smile faded from my lips when I felt that he went outside and I was alone in his
room.
I had to think of what to answer him the next time he asks me to visit a doctor to
have my checkup. Nakalusot ako sa ngayon pero alam kong hindi na mangyayari 'to sa
susunod.
I closed my eyes. I lied to him again and I will have to lie to him in the future
as well. I will continue doing this until he finally falls in love with me. 'Tsaka
lang ako aamin sa kasinungalingan ko kapag nangyari na iyon.
Alam kong sa bawat pagsisinungaling ko sa kanya ay mas nadadagdagan lang ang

kasalanan ko. But I couldn't really bear to lose him. Tutal, nagawa ko na naman ang
magsinungaling sa kanya, itutuloy ko na hanggang sa mahalin na niya ako. He might
be able to forgive me for lying to him.
For now, I had to make sure that he won't know the truth.
www.wattpad.com
18 - 22 minutes
Chapter 17
"North ko, what do you think of this one? Maganda ba?" Bumaling ako kay North na
nakaupo sa may sofa habang nakasandal, pinapanuod akong pumili ng magandang kulay
ng vase para sa living room.
"It's good," he said, staring at the thing on my hand but I wasn't quite satisfied.
Inangat ko muli sa box ang pastel pink at muling ipinakita.
"How 'bout this one?" I asked.
"It's good too," he said and smiled, at doon na ako napasimangot.
"North!" I whined. "Tatlong kulay na pinapakita ko sa 'yo pero puro 'it's good' ang
sagot mo!" reklamo ko, at doon na siya bahagyang natawa.
Sumimangot ako, marahang ibinaba ang hawak na vase at namaywang na sa harapan niya.
Nakita ko lang ang amusement sa mata niya, tila naaaliw pa sa ginagawa ko.
"Seriously, North?" halos pabulong ko lang na tanong nang tumaas ang sulok ng labi
niya, natatawa pa sa akin. I saw how his eyes stayed on my stomach before he caught
my gaze again.
"Come here," he offered pero kaagad akong umiling.
"No...I have to choose one, North," iling ko kahit na naaakit na talaga akong
lumapit sa kanya.
"Yeah, we'll choose one, hmm?" His lips rose playfully. "I'll help you choose one
if you come here."
"Pipili ka na?" Tinaasan ko na ng kilay at tumango siya, may nakakapagtakang ngiti

pa rin sa labi kaya tumango na ako.
I aligned the vases in different colors on the table in front of him. Nang
masiguradong maganda na ang ayos para pagpilian niya ay lumapit na ako sa kanya.
"Ayan na, North." I smiled when I stepped in front of him. "Choose one—
North!" Impit na tili ang lumabas sa labi ko sa biglaan niyang paghila sa kamay ko
at sa isang iglap lang ay nakita ko na ang sariling nakaupo sa kanyang kandungan.
"Got you," he whispered and chuckled lowly, gently claiming my stomach.
"North!" gulat ko pang tawag pero nang maramdaman ko ang unti-unti niyang pagsandal
sa balikat ko.
"Sorry, did I scare you?"
My breath hitched when I felt his chin on my shoulder, his sweet and husky voice
making me feel butterflies inside my stomach.
"No...ano lang..." Lumunok ako at nakuyom ang kamay ko. "Nagulat lang na ano,
ganito...?"
"Hmm," he hummed, moving his body closer until I felt his chest on my back.
"Ayaw mo ba?"
Hindi ako nakasagot, nasa akma na ng pagsigaw sa sobrang kilig pero sa sobrang
nerbyos siguro'y natulos na lang sa kinauupuan.
"Rylee," he said, and I felt him tilt his head kaya nakaharap na siya sa pwesto ko.
"What? Are you stunned?" He chuckled. "Where's my clingy Rylee, huh? Naiwan sa
college?"
"H-Hindi 'no!" Hinarap ko na siya pero sa sobrang lapit namin ay tumama ang labi ko
sa kanya, dahilan para mamilog ang mata ko at napalayo. "Sorry!"
His lips pursed. Isang galaw lang ng kamay niya ay sobrang lapit na naman ang mukha
naming dalawa.
"I like the purple one better," he said while staring directly into my eyes.
"O-Okay." It sounded almost like a whisper and I closed my eyes and licked my lower
lip. "Tatago ko na 'yong iba—"
"When did you get this shy, Ry?"
Biglang napamulat ang mata ko roon at nakipagtitigan na naman sa pilyong mga mata
niya. "What?"
"You used to run around and follow me all the time, and you really didn't care if
people saw you being touchy and clingy but now..."
"N-Now what?" Pinatatagan ko pa ang boses.
"Now that we're alone..." His hand caressed my waist. "...You're shy. What
happened, Ry? You should be more clingy when we're alone, walang nakakakita."
"How could I not be shy?" I asked, pilit na umiiwas para 'di maakit sa mga labi
niya. "You're serious when we're outside kaya ang lakas-lakas ng loob ko tapos
ngayon..."
"Ngayon?" Ibinangga niya ang ilong sa akin kaya humugot ako ng hininga.
"Ngayon, ang landi-landi mo, North ko. 'Di na kinakaya ng matris ko," I said
seriously and stared at his eyes.
He burst out laughing. Humaba ang nguso ko nang tawang-tawa siya roon habang
umiiling.
"And now you're laughing so hard!" ngiwi ko at kinagat niya ang pang-ibabang labi,
naaliw pang pinagmasdan ako bago muling inilapit ang katawan sa akin.
"So sorry, Ry. You're just amusing." He smirked. "Bakit hindi naman kinakaya ng
matris mo? Paano naman ang baby natin d'yan?"
My heart thumped audibly that I could almost hear it watching his smiling that way
at me, amused and gentle.
"Gwapo mo, kainis...kiss kaya kita d'yan," isip ko.
"Why don't you do it?"
Para yatang bumaligtad ang sikmura ko pagkarinig n'on.
"Huh?!" What? My God, he heard me?!

"You said it out loud, baby." He smiled and glanced at my lips at para 'di
mahalatang para na naman akong titiklop ay umirap ako sa kanya.
"Alam mo, North. Mahal kita pero ang kapal ng mukha mo," ngiwi ko at tawang-tawa na
naman siya. "Huwag mo akong subukan, kapag 'yan ginawa ko—"
"Sige nga?" Nakangiti na siya nang sabihin 'yon at hindi ako si Rylee kung
'di ako palaban, kaya bago pa man siya makapagsabi ng kung ano man ay basta ko na
lang iniangat ang kamay, humawak sa batok niya sabay hila sa kanya palapit sa akin.
He didn't expect me to act like that, considering his shock. Mulat na mulat pa ang
kanyang mga mata roon habang nakatitig sa akin.
I teasingly bit his lower lip, just wanting to make fun of him, pero malay ko bang
papatol siya at mabilis na huhulihin ang labi ko para siya naman ang kumagat.
"North!" Lumayo na ako, natatawa habang nag-iinit ang pisngi. Tinagilid naman ang
ulo niya at binasa ang pang-ibabang labi. Naramdaman ko ang pagtaas-baba ng kamay
niya sa likod ko, muling dumudukwang para bigyan ako ng maliit na halik.
"Is it too much if I tell you I want you again?"
My mouth parted upon hearing that. Nakita ko ang pagpula bahagya ng pisngi niya
pero maya-maya'y nag-iwas kaagad.
"Sorry, Ry. It's not like I'm fucking horny and—"
"I'm horny," I said, startling him. Nang muling nagtagpo ang mata nami'y saglit
kaming nagkatitigang dalawa at maya-maya'y nagsasalitan na ng malalalim na halik.
I couldn't quite remember how I straddled him that fast, basta ang alam ko'y nasa
kandungan na niya ako paharap sa kanya habang nagpapalaliman kami ng labanan ng
halik.
His hands were all over me, and I him. Hinila ko ang shirt niya paalis at tumulong
siya, walang habas na hinagis iyon habang abala naman siya sa pagbibigay ng
maliliit na halik sa leeg ko.
He lowered the strap of my spaghetti dress, at dahil nga nakakandong ako sa kanya'y
nakataas ang palda ng suot ko at malayang naglalakbay roon ang mga palad niya. I
wasn't really sexually active—the first time, he was also the one who had touched
me, at ngayo'y siya pa rin kaya wala akong mapagkukumparahan pero alam kong alam
niya ang kiliti ko sa katawan.
He knew exactly where to touch that even that itself could make me reach the
highest clouds. Ang kamay niyang naglalakbay sa hita ko'y unti-unting tumaas at
nahulog lang ang ulo ko sa balikat niya nang maramdaman siya roon.
His breathing was labored and I shut my eyes closed when I felt him pull my undies
to the side. His digits played with my sensitive bud, and moments later, I was
moaning in pleasure as he thrusted his fingers inside of me.
It was so hard to stop my moans that he noticed it.
"It's okay to moan, baby," he whispered hotly. "It's not like anyone else will hear
you scream my name."
"North!" pigil ko pa pero ngumisi na siya, walang hirap na tinanggal ang kamay at
inisang buhat ako pahiga sa sofa.
"Let it out, baby. You can scream my name, nobody's stopping you anyway."
He was right. Kahit anong pigil ko ay basta na lang lumabas sa bibig ko ang impit
na ingay nang muli ko siyang maramdaman sa akin.
Skin to skin, I felt him again. I was pulling his hair, scratching his back while
he pumped inside me, filling me to the brim—not letting me escape from him.
Akala ko'y tapos na kami pero hindi pa pala. The moment I reached my climax, he
stood from the sofa, him still inside me. Mabilis niyang nilakad ang pader at
walang pagdadalawang-isip na isinandal ako roon bago ako angkinin muli.
"North, careful!" I hissed but he was insatiable. Napasigaw pa ako nang masagi
namin ang lamesa no'ng ikatlong round na namin, dahilan para mahulog ang vase ko.
"North Dominic, you broke my freaking vase!" I snapped, startled that it fell and
he just looked at it and back to me.
"Bibili tayo ng bago—"
"E!" inarte ko at natatawang sinakop niyang muli ang labi ko at naupo sa sofa
habang nasa kandungan niya ako.
"Alright, alright. Just last one. After this, you can scold me about your broken
vase," aniya at humawak sa baywang ko pero nakabusangot lang ako sa kanya. "Come
on, Ry..."
"Gusto ko ng donuts after," I said and he chuckled lowly, nodding his head and
reached for my hair—gently brushing it away from my cheek.
"Our baby's hungry?" he asked.
"Huh?"
"I asked if our baby wants donuts," he asked, glancing at my stomach and it dawned
to me.
Yes, the baby...
"No..." iling ko at maliit na ngumiti. "It's me who wants some donuts—but of

course, the baby still likes it...?"
"Alright." He kissed me briefly and touched my stomach. "Donuts after lovemaking

for our baby mommy and baby baby," bulong niya bago ako halikan nang malalim.
Living with him was more than what I hoped for. Matagal-tagal na rin naman ako
kasama siya pero nandoon pa rin ang nakakamanghang pakiramdam kapag nagigising ako
katabi siya. It was a dream come true—thinking this love of mine was unrequited.
Kahit naman siguradong-sigurado ako noong mapupunta siya sa akin ay nakakatakot pa
rin dahil pilit ko lang iyong sinasabi sa sarili ko, kaya ngayon ay sobrang saya
ko.
I was still working, hindi nga lang paguran kagaya noong hindi pa ako buntis—
I stopped and blinked.
Oh, shit. I wasn't pregnant.
Ginulo ko ang buhok ko, pagod na sumandal sa upuan dahil break sa shoot ko sa isang
beauty product.
"Ma'am Rylee? Pinapabigay po."
My eyes landed on my assistant as she handed me a paper bag.
"Thank you, kanino galing?" I asked.
"Sa kuya n'yo po, si Sir Zoren," aniya at kaagad akong napatayo.
My heart pounded, kaagad kong inilibot ang tingin at nagtanong, "W-Where is he?"
"Ah, umalis na po siguro, pinaabot lang po, e. Pero baka nand'yan pa po, ngayon-
ngayon lang din naman 'yan," sagot niya at kaagad akong umalis.
Mahigpit ang hawak ko sa paper bag habang naglalakad palabas, inilibot pa ang
tingin pero wala siya kaya tinakbo ko ang elevator.
I went down to the ground floor, looking around if I could still catch him, but he
was gone. He already left.
Bagsak ang balikat at hinahapo, malungkot akong naupo sa couch na naroon sa

reception. Ipinatong ko sa hita ang ibinigay niya at sinilip, only to feel like
crying when I saw what was inside.
Donuts and munchkins.
I saw a note and immediately read it.
I heard you like these so I bought you some on my way to work.
Nangilid ang luha ko, humugot ako ng hininga bago humigpit ang hawak sa note niya.
"I miss you, Kuya," bulong ko, nalulungkot na naman.
I must've been too affected that North noticed my silence on our way home after he
fetched me. Pagkapasok pa lang namin sa unit niya ay napatili ako sa gulat sa
biglaang niyang pagbuhat sa akin.
"North?" I muttered, confused, but he didn't say anything. Napakurap-kurap ako nang
inayos niya lang ang pagbuhat sa akin bago naupo sa sofa, ipinipwesto ako sa
kandungan niya.
"You seemed preoccupied, what is it?" he asked at ayaw ko mang sabihin ay mabigat
ang pakiramdam ko kaya bumuntonghininga ako bago sumandal sa dibdib niya.
"Kuya went to my shoot earlier," mahinang sambit ko.
"Zoren?"
"Yes." I nodded. "He bought me donuts and munchkins, North. He even gave me a note
saying he heard I liked it so he bought me some. Sinubukan ko siyang habulin kasi
gusto ko siyang makausap pero wala, nakaalis na. I don't know, maybe I just miss
him. I miss my brother. Sometimes, naiisip ko na nga na baka ayaw na niya akong
maging kapatid."
Nahulog ang luha ko. Kaagad naman niyang sinalo iyon ng daliri niya at mas idinikit
ako sa kanyang katawan, nagpapatak ng halik sa ulo ko, pilit akong ikinakalma at
naging epektibo naman.
"It's my fault," he uttered. "I'm sorry."
"I-It's not..." iling ko at hinanap ang mata niya. "Ako ang nagsimula nito—"
"We both wanted this, Ry." He sighed. "Our baby was made because we both wanted
it."
Ngumuso ako at muling bumalik ng sandal sa kanyang dibdib.
"And it was me who had an agreement with your brother not to come close to you."
Doon na ako napatingin sa kanya. Isinandal niya ang ulo sa sofa at mas humawak sa
baywang ko.
"What do you mean?" I asked.
"Remembered when you were pursuing me before? In high school, you sneaky little
brat?"
"Hoy!" Namilog ang mata ko pero bahagyang natawa. "You were handsome kahit noon pa
man, masisisi mo ba ako kung patay na patay 'to sa 'yo?"
"Alright, alright." He chuckled lowly. "Hear me out, okay? Would you be shocked if
I tell you that I am..." He sighed.
"You are?"
"Nothing." Kumunot ang noo niya. "Why don't we just eat—"
"North Dominic, what is it?" simangot ko na, pinipigilan siyang umalis.
"It's nothing, Ry. Forget it, kain na lang tayo—"
"The baby and I will get mad if you don't tell us," I threatened and he looked
caught off-guard. He closed his eyes tightly, ngumisi ako. "Ayaw naman siguro ni
Daddy North na tatampo si Rylee at si baby?"
He glanced at me, nagpaawa naman ako at pinakitaan siya ng malambing na mata, at

doon na siya bumuntonghininga, naiiling pa.
"You really know how to melt me," tawa niya. Umayos siya ng upo kaya sinuklay-
suklay ko ang buhok niya, nag-aabang sa kanyang kwento.
"Rylee Addison mo yata 'to, North ko."
"Yeah, right." He reached for my chin and gave me a chaste kiss. "You're my baby
Rylee." Pumatak siyang muli ng halik sa pisngi ko, bumaba pa sa panga, at nang
nararamdaman ko na sa leeg na ang gusto niya, kaagad ko nang tinulak ang noo niya
gamit ang daliri ko.
"Ops! Akala mo malilibang mo ako, ah?" I smirked and he sulked, moistening his
lower lip.
"Thought I could get away." He shrugged. "How do I start this?"
"Start by saying, 'Rylee, ang ganda mo.'"
That earned a laugh from me but he said it anyway. "Rylee, ang ganda mo." He had
this glint in his eyes I would trade anything for just to see.
"Okay, you're handsome too, North ko. Ituloy mo na ang kwento. Please, no segue."
He nodded, nakita ko pa ang paglunok niya bago nagsimula. "When you were a kid,
your brother noticed you lurking around me. It was nothing at first for me,
siyempre'y bata ka pa, you're quite impulsive at times, and of course...don't be
shocked, okay? I thought you were pretty, even when you were a teenager."
Parang sasabog ang puso ko sa narinig. Kinagat ko naman ang labi ko para 'di niya
matantong grabe ang epekto n'on sa akin.
"I know right?" sagot ko na lang kaya nagkatawanan kami, pero sa loob-loob ay gusto
ko na sumigaw nang malakas.
"Your brother must have realized I was getting close to you so I made a promise."
"Promise? What promise?"
"That I won't get too close to you. That I'll distance myself. We may look so close
since he's my best friend, but he really didn't like seeing us together."
Doon ako nagtaka. "Bakit? Bakit hindi? You're his best friend, he knows you well!"
"Yeah, that's the problem, Ry. He knows me damn well." He chuckled and stared in my
eyes. "He knows I'm not really into relationships."
"Oh..." Bumilog na ang bibig ko.
"He knows how much of a workaholic I am and I rarely have time for myself.
Inuman lang naman kasama ang kuya mo ang madalas kong libangan tapos papasok ulit
buong araw. It was a cycle."
"D-Didn't you have girls around? F-Flings?" Kahit masakit isipin ay nagkalakas ako
ng loob magtanong.
"Nah. In my younger years, yes—pero nitong nakaraan, wala. I didn't like it, I
thought it was a waste of time."
Hindi ko alam kung bakit pero may kirot sa dibdib ko nang marinig ko 'yon.
"You mean..."
Nanlaki ang mata niya. Mabilis siyang umiling sa akin bago ko pa man mabuo ang
gustong sabihin. "It's not that, Ry. Of course you're different."
"But you said relationships are a w-waste of time?" Nangilid ang luha ko, hindi
alam kung bakit nagiging emosyonal, parang may nakadagan sa dibdib.
"It's not—"
"A-Alam ko namang hindi mo ginustong mangyari 'yong noon. Alam kong aksidente lang
si baby—"
"Rylee Addison, look at me."
My teary eyes glanced at him and saw his intense yet soft black orbs staring at me
with such concern.
"Iba ka. Iba kayo ni baby."
"H-How so?" Nahulog na ang luha ko.
"Why are you crying..." He gasped and wiped my tears again. "Those girls before,
wala 'yon. We just hanged out and such, no strings attached."
"And me?" Kumunot ang noo ko.
"What we had, Ry..." I saw how his jaw clenched. "What we have now is something
else. It's more than that, it's not a no-strings-attached relationship. I am not a
vocal person, I haven't even tried pursuing a woman before."
Kinagat ko ang labi habang nakikinig sa kanya.
"Please don't cry, hindi ka kagaya no'ng kanila noon. Hindi kayo ni baby. I was an
asshole for pushing you away because I made a promise to your brother not to get
close to you in any way, but look at this now, buntis ka sa akin.
It's my fault why you're brother's like that, so kakausapin ko siya."
"Pinagsisisihan mo ba..." Lumunok ako, "...Ang nangyari? You've told me before you
didn't but I want to hear it again. A-Ayaw mo ba n'ong nangyari sa atin?"
"If that didn't happen, I still might have broken my pact to Zoren." Tumaas ang
sulok ng labi niya.
"Why?"
Hindi siya sumagot kaagad. Hinuli niya ang baba ko, tumitig nang matagal sa mga
mata ko at napapikit ako nang bigyan niya ako ng malambing na halik.
"I am attracted to you, Ry. I've liked you for so long, even before. Kahit ayaw ng
kuya mo, sa sobrang pagpipigil ko baka naitanan kita," bulong niya sa labi ko.
www.wattpad.com
17 - 22 minutes
Chapter 18
He liked me...for a long time, he'd liked me.
"No'ng nakaraang linggo pa 'yan, Rylee Addison, 'di maka-move on?"
Umirap ako kay Andrea at doon na siya napatawa. Mabilis siyang lumapit para lumapit
sa akin, yumayakap pa sa baywang ko. "Joke lang, buntis. Ito naman,
'di mabiro."
"Paanong 'di makaka-move on, e dream come true 'yon?" I exclaimed and she laughed.
"Kilig na kilig 'yan?"
"Who wouldn't be?" I pouted. "Dream come true ko 'yan, Drea! Imagine, high school
pa lang? Naliligaw pa nga ako sa college dep—"
"Nagkukunwaring naliligaw," she corrected. "Kabisado mo na nga college department

sa daming beses mong naligaw, araw-araw kang nawawala."
"Hey!" I smacked her but laughed too when she did.
"Why? De-deny ka pa ba?" She smirked. "Totoo naman, ah? Minsan pa kunwari may
bibigay ka kay Kuya Zoren pero gusto mo lang makasulyap sa baby North mo."
"Okay, okay. I admit. Patay na patay nga ako," nguso ko. "Kaya you really can't
blame for how I reacted! Parang nabuhay ang katawang lupa ko sa sinabi niya, Drea!"
"Rylee loves North!" she said, and our eyes met at sabay kaming napatali roon,
tumalon-talon pa habang magkahawak ang kamay.
"Hala? Hala? Bakit kayo nagtatatalon, hoy, buntis! Ang anak mo baka mahulog!"
entrada kaagad ni Adrian pagkapasok, may dalang buko juice.
"Ad!" I grinned at him before sitting on the couch.
"Hi, buntis," ngisi niya at bumaling kay Drea. "Ba't kayo nagtatatalon d'yan?
Ano? Ikinwento na naman ba ni Ry 'yong sinabi ni North niya?"
"Duh, what's new?" Drea teased. "Every day, umaga, tanghali, at hapon niya
ikinikwento 'yan. Kabisado na nga natin ang sinabi ni North!"
Nagkatinginan sila sabay ngisi.
"I am attracted to you, Ry. I've liked you for so long, even before. Kahit ayaw ng
kuya mo, sa sobrang pagpipigil ko baka naitanan kita," they said in unison at
napatili ako at binato sa kanila ang throw pillow. Nag-iinit ang pisngi ko kaya
tinakpan ko ang mukha.
"Ano ba! Tama na nga 'yan!" reklamo ko pero mas natawa lang ang dalawa sa akin.
"Asus..." Ad teased. "Kilig naman 'yang pempem mo kasi nilalandi ka na pabalik!"
"Andrea, ang bastos ng bibig nito!" nguso ko at hinalo ang buko juice ko gamit ang
straw.
"Akala mo naman inosente," Drea teased. "Nakabuo na ng bata, shy pa rin?"
"Shh!" iling ko, nag-init pang lalo ang pisngi.
"Bakit? Kwento mo no'ng nakaraan, 'di ba? No'ng sa bahay n'yo natulog si North may
nangyari? Partida, nando'n parents niya, pero Rylee talaga malakas!"
"Adrian!" Sinipa ko na pero humahagalpak pa rin.
"Huwag ako, Rylee. Matagal-tagal na rin kayong nagsasama sa condo, huwag mong
sabihing hindi na naulit?"
Namilog ang mata ko sa kanilang tingin sa akin.

"Mayro'n 'no?"
Tumikhim ako at nagbaba ng tingin sa buko juice at sumimsim doon.
"Mayro'n?!"
I bit my lower lip and my cheeks reddened even more, glancing their way.
"Hmm..." I said shyly and nodded my head, at halos sumabog ang dressing room ko
nang magsigawan ang dalawa.
"Oh my God! I'm proud of you, Ry!" Drea exclaimed.
"Grabe naman at ginalingan ang giling!" Adrian screamed, at halos lumubog ako sa
sofa sa sobrang hiya ko nang naghawak pa ng kamay ang dalawa at patalon-talon sa
harapan ko.
"Shh, huwag nga kayo maingay..." iling-iling ko, kinakabahan dahil baka may
nakakarinig sa usapan naming SPG dito sa loob.
"Wala, walang makakarinig!" tawa ni Adrian. "I knew it, patahi-tahimik lang
'yang si North pero mabangis!"
"Ad!" My eyes widened.
"Nakailang ulit na kayo, huh?" baling sa akin ni Drea na malaki ang ngisi.
"Huh? Anong uulitin?" I blinked.
"'Yong SPG n'yo? Ilan na? Isa? Dalawa?" excited na tanong ni Drea kaya napaisip ako
at sinubukang magbilang.
"Ay, nakakaloka, may pagbilang!" ani Ad kaya ngumuso ako at bumaling sa kanila.
"'Di ko na nabilang, e," sagot ko at napapikit sa sobrang hiya at tawa nang

sumigaw-sigaw na naman ang supportive kong mga kaibigan, halos gumiling pa roon sa
sobrang proud daw sa akin.
Ayaw kong magkwento dahil nahihiya ako, pero as if namang may nakakaligtas sa
dalawang 'to. Hindi pa binigay ni Ad ang request kong munchkins kung 'di ako magki-
kwento at sa sobrang craving ko ay nagkwento ako—alang-alang sa aking munchkins.
"Talaga ba? Sa banyo rin?!"
Muntik ko nang mahampas ang bibig ni Andrea sa sigaw niya. "Hoy, hinaan mo lang!"
"Nagtuhugan kayo sa banyo?" pabulong niyang sabi at nang napapikit ako nang mariin
ay hinampas-hampas ni Ad ang sofa sa sobrang tawa niya.
"You know the saying conserve water, shower together?'" I asked and they laughed
again loudly.
"Feel na feel ang kasabihan!" tawa ni Ad. "Oh, tapos?"
"Sabay lang ano...dapat sa shower." Nag-init ang pisngi ko. "K-Kaso biglang
nagkahalikan kaya..."
Nang naghampasan na sila ng unan sa sobrang tuwa ay napahawak ako sa pisngi at

bumaling sa pagkain ko, nahihiya na naman.
I suddenly wanted strawberries. Parang nagtubig ang bagang ko.
"Anyway, Ry. Nagpa-checkup ka na ba?" ani Ad na nagpatigil sa akin. "Hindi mo pa ba

malalaman ang gender ni baby?"
"Oo nga, ninang na ninang na ako rito, Rylee," Drea said. "Na-check mo na ba ang
gender? Para makapag-ready na ako kaagad sa baby shower."
My heart thumped, parang namawis yata ako kaya umiling ako at saglit na humawak sa
tiyan.
"Sa...sa sunod pa," sagot ko, kinakabahan.
"Patingin nga ng baby bump," ngisi niya. "'Di ko pa 'yan nakikita, puro ka kasi
naka-dress ng maluwag sa 'yo. Magha-hi lang ako sa pamangkin ko—"
Hindi na niya natapos ang sasabihin nang may kumatok sa pintuan, at sumilip mula
roon ang stylist ko na ngumiti sa amin.
"Hello po. Ma'am Ry, nand'yan po si Sir North. Papasukin ko po ba?"
Halos mapatayo ako sa excitement pero pinigilan ko. Nakita iyon marahin ng dalawa
dahil ngising-ngisi sila sa akin.
"Y-Yeah, papuntahin mo na lang. Salamat," pormal kong sabi na may ngiti pa, pero
pagkasara niya ay dali-dali akong pumunta sa salamin para makapaglagay man lang ng
lipstick at ang putla ko.
"Ayan na, ayan na..." Ad chanted.
"Shh! Huwag kayong maingay sa kwento ko, ah?" Nilingon ko na sila. "Babatukan ko
talaga kayong dalawa, secret lang!"
"Okay po, Madam. Sikretong malupit, zipper and padlock pa." Nag-thumbs-up pa sa
akin ni Drea kaya natawa na ako.
Nang pumasok na si North ay mabilis akong umayos ng tayo at tatawa-tawa pa
'yong dalawa, pero pinanlakihan ko ng mata kaya umakmang nagtatakip ng bibig.
"Good afternoon," North greeted my friends when he saw them.
"Good afternoon, North! Susunduin mo na si baby momma?" ngisi ni Drea kaya napaubo
ako at natawa si Ad, napapatakip pa sa bibig niya para pigilan.
"What?" North looked confused but then glanced at me and saw my embarrassed face.
"Oh, okay. Yeah, I'm fetching the baby momma."
Hindi ko na napigilan ang dalawa na magtilian doon, naghahampasan pa kaya nakaalis

na kami't lahat-lahat ni North at nakapagpaalam sa kanila'y 'di pa rin sila maka-
recover.
"Your friends are funny," he said while on our way to the elevator, ang kamay
niya'y nasa baywang ko.
"Pasensya ka na, maiingay talaga 'yon," I said and chuckled, humahawak din sa
baywang niya habang naghihintay na magbukas ang elevator.
"Where are we going now? Have you eaten yet?" he asked and guided me inside,
humahawak pa sa may gilid para 'di mapagsarhan.
"Hmm, opo, North ko." I smiled and lifted the mini box. "Pero kaunti lang,
munchkins. Like mo?"
"It's okay, kulang pa 'yan sa 'yo," he teased at kilalang-kilala na nga ako kaya
lumitaw ang ngisi sa labi ko.
"Good boy, North ko," I uttered. "Pero...gusto ko strawberry, mayro'n kaya?"

"You want strawberries?" he asked and I nodded.
"Yeah, I suddenly want it. 'Yong fresh sana? Mayro'n naman sa market, right?
Tapos another box of munchkins would be great!"
"Our baby wants strawberries now?"
Para akong natulos sa kinatatayuan, lalo na no'ng bahagya siyang yumakap sa

tagiliran ko, ang kamay ay humahaplos na sa tiyan ko.
"Still no baby bump?" he whispered. "Ang liit naman magbuntis ng Rylee ko."
Shit...
I was freaking nervous, I felt like trembling sa sobrang takot at mabuti na lang ay
nagbukas ang pintuan nang narating na namin ang ground floor.
"Uh, how about a Japanese resto, North ko?" I asked and he nodded, taking my hand
before filling the gaps in between my fingers.
"Sure, then we'll check some cribs for the baby," aniya at ngumiti sa akin.
"What do you think the gender will be?"
"A boy perhaps?" I answered. "I want him to look like you."
I saw how a more genuine, sweet smile engraved his lips before he squeezed my hand.
"I want a baby girl too, looking a lot like you," aniya, ang kislap sa mga mata'y
mas kita. Pinagbuksan niya ako ng pintuan ng kotse niya at pagkapasok sa loob ay
unti-unti akong kinain ng guilt.
I was so wrong for deceiving him, I felt so damn guilty—every time I lied to him ay
parang nanghihina ako, pero makasarili ata talaga akong tao. I was so
selfish that I only thought of my happiness and right now...parang kay hirap nang
bawiin ng mga kasinungalingan ko sa kanya.
Takam na takam ako pagkarating namin sa resto, and I felt like I ordered everything
at si North ay natatawa lang pero hinayaan lang ako. Siguro'y gutom na gutom nga
ako kasi ang huling kain ko nang ganito karami ay kaninang agahan pa. No'ng lunch
ay nag-aya 'yong dalawa pero ang pangit ng amoy n'ong kinakain nila kaya ayaw ko.
"Solved?" North asked when we were done eating and I just stared at the empty
plates in front of me.
"Oh...my God." I uttered. "Ako...ako ang umubos niyan?!" I pointed at the plates
horribly and he laughed, nodding.
"Yes, Ry. Want more? We can still order—"
"OMG, my diet, North!" Nakagat ko ang labi ko at muli siyang natawa.
"What diet? You don't need to follow that, lalaki na rin ang tiyan mo sa susunod."
"What?!" Namilog ang mata ko.
"Because of the baby, Ry." He touched my shoulders, pulling me gently towards his
body. "And you don't have to diet—a healthy one I'll approve, but if not and if
it's just to maintain your figure for work, then no."
"But what if I became bloated and..." I sighed. "Paano kapag 'di na sa akin kakasya
ang sexy dresses ko?"
"Silly." He tilted my chin so I could look in his eyes. "You don't have to be sexy
for me to like you."
"But..." nguso ko.
"I believe you'll maintain your body once you give birth, ngayon pa nga lang,"
pagkakalma pa niya sa akin.
"What about the calories, North?" Bumaling akong muli sa mga plato. "If you
calculate it, it's worth more than three days of my daily meal! Paano ako mag-e-
exercise—"
"Don't worry about it," he whispered. "Mag-e-exercise tayo mamaya."
Nagsitaasan ang balahibo sa batok ko sa pilyong sinabi niya.
Being comfortable with North was more than enough. I was glad and pleased to have
him with me, I was so lucky to even feel how he cared for me. I got to experienced
that.
Hindi nagpapigil si North na mag-ikot sa mall para sa crib o ibang gamit ni baby.
Nag-enjoy naman ako kakaisip ng bibilhin namin, pero habang pinagmamasdan ko siyang
nagbabayad doon sa cashier na may ngiti sa labi ay parang nilalamon ako ng
konsensya.
"Para sa pamangkin ba, Sir?" I overheard the cashier asking him.
"No." He smiled. "It's for my baby, that's the mother," baling niya sa akin kaya
napangiti ako at kumaway sa kanya.
Oh, damn. I wished I was really pregnant.
Napahawak ako sa impis kong tiyan at tahimik na nagdasal.
I really wish we had a baby...
Kitang-kita ko ang saya sa mga mata niya no'ng pauwi kami. We bought a few baby
clothes today, at nagkikwento pa siya na nagbabasa raw siya ng mga article sa
internet.
"I think the baby will have a normal delivery."
"Hmm?"
"Our baby, I really think you will have a normal delivery. Looking at how tiny he
is," aniya at humawak ako sa tiyan, ngumingiti.
"I hope so, mahirap kasi kapag Cesarian."
"Anyway, baby. Please don't be mad at me." He glanced at me sideways.
"Why?"
He cleared his throat and answered, "I scheduled you an appointment with the OB
tomorrow—"
"What?!" My voice raised, stopping him.
"What? Why?" Kumunot ang noo niya at bumaling sa akin. "Don't you want to see our
baby?"
Tila bigla akong natauhan, kaagad akong humugot ng hininga at tumango.
"O-Of course, I want to," I answered. "Nagulat lang ako. Sorry for raising my
voice, you should've informed me, North."
"I'm sorry..." sagot din niya, at narating na namin ang parking ng condo niya kaya
sabay kaming pumasok sa loob papunta sa kanyang unit. "I was just worried about
you, kailan ka ba huling nagpa-checkup?"
"My shoot abroad," I said.

"See? Matagal na 'yon, Ry. I want to make sure our baby's doing fine right now."
"North..."
"I want to see what our baby looks like too, Ry." He sighed. "I was dreaming to see
it, pagbigyan mo naman ako."
Hindi ako kaagad nakasagot, hindi alam ang sasabihin. Humigpit ang hawak niya sa
kamay ko at unti-unti iyong inangat sa ere bago dalhin sa kanyang labi para
magpatak ng halik—ang mga mata'y nakatuon lamang sa akin.
"Please?" His eyes were soft and almost begging and it made me melt. nakagat ko ang
labi ko at tumango.
"Alright..."
"Yes!" He grinned and pulled me closer to him. "I'm excited." Then he blinked.
"Fuck."
"Bakit?"
"Shit, I forgot." He closed his eyes tightly. "I have an important meeting
tomorrow."
"It's okay," I said, kinakabahan na naman. "I-I can just go alone."
"Are you sure?" Nakita ko ang inis sa mata niya. "Damn, I forgot. I was too excited
booking the checkup. I wanna come with you."
"Ayos lang," sabat ko. "Kaya ko namang ako lang. I'll just tell you what the doctor
will say during the checkup. Word by word," alo ko at mukhang ayaw niya no'ng una
pero wala ring nagawa.
Of course, I was damn frustrated the same night. May ibinigay na address at card sa
akin si North sa OB pero hindi ko man lang binasa sa sobrang kaba ko.
What will I do? Siyempre ay walang made-detect na baby ang doctor dahil hindi naman
ako buntis!
Would I have to fake it again? How? Shit, Rylee! Think!
Sa sobrang wala ko sa sarili ay tulala ako buong biyahe. Ipinahatid ako ni North sa
driver nila sa takot niyang mag-commute ako. He didn't want to take a risk.
I was fucking done. I didn't know what else I should do!
If I visited the doctor, kakausapin ko na lang? Anong sasabihin ko?
I suddenly gasped when I thought of an idea.
Yes! That was right! Bibisita lang ako sa doktor, makikipag-usap tungkol sa
pagbubuntis pero 'di magpapa-ultrasound! Ayos lang naman 'yon, 'di ba? Ang
mahalaga'y nakabisita ako sa doktor?
"Ma'am, sunduin ko po kayo mamaya."
"Hindi na po, Kuya," iling ko sa driver. "Salamat po, kaya ko na po mag-isa."
"Pero Ma'am, sabi po ni sir—"
"Ako na bahala kay North, Kuya," sabi ko. "'Tsaka dadaan po kasi ako sa mall,
magpapa-spa lang. Relax lang. Kausapin ko na lang po siya."
Luckily, he let me go alone. Pumasok ako sa hospital kung nasaan ang OB na sinasabi
niya, magtatanong na sana sa receiving area pero natulos sa kinatatayuan nang
makita ang pamilyar na babaeng papasok sa isang clinic.
"Dra. Mia, good morning po."
"Good morning!" She smiled. "Sandali lang, ah? We can open in five," sabi niya sa
babaeng nasa labas kaya dali-dali akong nag-iwas ng tingin.
My heart was beating rapidly. I was almost shaking when I ran outside and opened my
bag to check the calling card North gave me and I was stunned upon seeing the name
written on it.
Mia Santiago
Of course...of course it was her! Siya lang naman ang kaibigan ni North na OB!
Shit...
Nalilito na ako. Buong hapon akong nag-ikot sa mall, nagpa-spa at massage para
mawala ang iniisip pero no'ng bandang hapon ay tumawag na siya at handa na akong
mapagalitan pero mukhang wala siyang alam.
"Hello, Ry?" he called. "How's the checkup? How's our baby?"
Damang-dama ko ang marahas na hampas sa dibdib ko kaya mariing ipinikit ko ang

mata.
"I-It was okay," I answered. "Ayos naman. Uh, the baby's great, h-healthy naman
daw."
"That's good to hear." He sighed. "I'm really sorry for not coming with you,
pinauwi mo raw ang driver?"
"Yes, sorry, North. I'm currently at the mall getting my nails done. I just want to
pamper myself," I said.
"It's okay," aniya. "Papasundo kita mamaya—"
"I'm definitely okay," I said. "I'll just call a cab, don't worry about me.
Ayos lang ako, pauwi ka na ba?"
"Yes, may tinatapos lang. are you really sure 'di ka papasundo?"
"Hmm." I nodded and bit my lower lip. "I can do this, North. Sige, 'yong kamay ko
na na may hawak ang aayusin. Pauwi na rin ako. Bye."
"Bye, baby. I'm excited to hear what the doctor said."
Noong pauwi na ay mas lalong wala ako sa sarili, I was thinking of excuses at
mukhang 'di naman niya alam na 'di ko sinipot ang Mia na 'yon kaya medyo umayos din
ang iniisip.
Alam ko kaagad na nakauwi na siya nang batiin ako ng nasa reception at napansiny
atang 'di ko kasama ang boyfriend. Sinabi niya ring nakita niya kanina pa si North
na umakyat kaya nagpasalamat na ako.
I stepped into our unit, even preparing a smile to greet him.
Nakita ko siya na nasa may kwarto. I walked closer to him and saw him just drop a
call at kaagad akong kumaway nang nilingon niya ako.
His serious eyes bore on me and I greeted, "Hi, North! Aga mo pala nakauwi?
Ang bango sa kusina, ah? Anong niluto mo—"
"You didn't go to your schedule, Rylee," malamig niyang sabi at tila binuhusan ako
ng tubig. "Why are you lying to me? Are you hiding something?"
www.wattpad.com
19 - 24 minutes
Chapter 19
Kaagad akong binalot ng kaba pagkarinig sa kanya niyon. I saw how serious his eyes
were. Madilim iyon at nakakakaba, tila alam na alam ang mga sikretong pilit kong
ikinubli at itinago.
"North..." I muttered.
"What is it, Rylee? You didn't go?"
"Paano mo—"
"I called Mia," aniyang seryoso at lumapit, bahagyang inangat pa ang phone para
ipakita sa akin ang ginawa. "I asked how you were and our child tapos mababalitaan
kong hindi ka pumunta."
My chest was pounding really hard that I felt like it was about to burst out of my
ribcage. Pinisil ko ang kamay para kalmahin ang sarili ko.
"I went, North," maliit na boses kong sabi.
"Stop lying, Rylee." He sighed, and there was frustration on his face at that.
"Stop lying and tell me the truth!"
My chest ached when his voice raised. Kumunot ang noo ko roon at nakita ko rin ang
pagkakatigil niya.
"B-Bakit ka sumisigaw?" halos bulong ko na iyong naitanong at pinagmasdan ang gulat

din sa kanya.
"Ry..."
I sighed loudly, trying so hard not to be too emotional. My brain started grasping
for excuses but it was clouded by the aching feeling inside my chest. Pikit pa ang
mata ko habang nag-iisip ng sasabihin hanggang sa naramdaman ko ang mga kamay sa
pisngi ko, sumasapo roon.
Unti-unting nagmulat ako at nakita ang seryoso niyang mata habang nakatitig sa
akin.
"I'm sorry..." he said in a low tone. "I didn't mean to raise my voice."
Doon na yata ako tuluyang nanghina. Natakot akong nakikita niya ang pagbalot ng
kung ano sa mata ko kaya dagli akong nag-iwas para hawiin ang luha pero mabilis
niya akong nahuli.
"Ry..." he muttered gently. "I'm sorry."
"W-Why are you raising your voice at me?" I asked, feeling the tears falling down
my cheek.
The seriousness in his black eyes vanished and was replaced with concern and
regret.
"Ry..." He brushed my tears with his thumb, still staring at me. "I'm sorry, I
didn't mean to. I was just worried because you didn't go and lied to me—"
"How could I not lie to you when I clearly told you I was jealous of Mia tapos siya
ang ibibigay mong OB sa akin?!"
He looked shocked by my sudden outburst.
"Rylee, it was written on the business card I gave you—"
"I wasn't able to read it, okay?!" I exclaimed and pulled my hand from his hold.
"Tapos pagdating ko ro'n ay malalaman kong siya? Sinabi ko nga sa 'yo noong ayaw na
ayaw ko sa babaeng 'yon?"
I saw his jaw clench. Pumikit siya saglit pero maya-maya'y muling hinuli ang kamay
ko at hinila ako palapit.
"Okay, I'm sorry. I was wrong," he said gently, and his hand fell on my palm,
filling the empty spaces in between my fingers. "Can we talk now?"
Doon na naman ako nagsimulang kabahan, dagli akong nag-iwas at umiling.
"No." Umakma akong aalis pero isang hila niya lang sa mga kamay ko at hawak sa
baywang ay nadala na niya ako.
It was too late for me to even protest because he successful dragged me to the bed
and sat beside me, pinisil niya ang kamay ko at muling tinanggal ang mga luha sa
pisngi ko.
"I was wrong, baby, okay? For raising my voice and taking you to Mia kahit alam
kong nagseselos ka," he explained and caressed my cheek. "I just wanted you to be
checked carefully and well taken care of because it's our child you're carrying,
and Mia is my friend."
"How can you be so sure I will be well taken care of there, huh?" I asked.
"Your friend likes you, North!"
"Come on..." He moistened his lower lip. "I only see Mia as a friend. Dati ko pang
kaibigan 'yon and she's professional—"
"I said ayoko nga sa kanya, North!" My voice raised again before I could even stop
it. "Ayokong magpa-checkup sa kanya kaya hindi ako um-attend at nagsinungaling sa
'yo!"
He sighed and stared intently at me, gano'n din ang aking ginawa. Nanatili akong
seryosong nakatingin sa kanya, kunot pa ang noo at kinain na naman ng iritasyon.
"Alright, I understand." He squeezed my palm gently. "I'm sorry, I'm wrong, hmm?
Just tell me what really happened."
Muli akong natahimik, napalunok pa sa kaba habang nagmamadaling nag-isip ng

idadahilan.
"I went there earlier but left, you can ask the driver," I said. "Papa-checkup sana
ako pero ayoko na, North. I know it was immature and I'm sorry, but I don't like
seeing her, she irritates me."
Natahimik siya kaya hinanap kong muli ang mga mata niya at natagpuan siyang
tumatango sa akin.
"I understand, it must be the hormones." He nodded as if realizing it. "Our baby is
irritated—"
"Not the baby, North. I am!" My forehead creased. "The woman likes you kahit
sabihin mo pang magkaibigan lang kayo. I may be selfish and immature, but that's
what I feel. Ayoko, naiinis ako kaya hindi ako tumuloy!"
I hated it when I became too emotional and jealous because I kept on bursting out
my frustrations like before—when I couldn't help but to tell them I was pregnant
with North's child, which was nothing but pure deception, a selfish act to keep him
for myself.
"I'm sorry too." I sighed when I realized how immature I sounded. "I was immature,
but that's how I feel, North."
Namutawi ang katahimikan sa pagitan naming dalawa. Akala ko'y magagalit siya pero
nagulat na lang ako nang ang kamay kong kanina pa niya hawak-hawak ay iniangat niya
sa ere at dinala sa kanyang mukha.
I was confused, but my heart thumped when he gave it a soft and gentle kiss.
"I understand," he murmured and stared at me. "Hindi na kita pipilitin, I apologize
for being insensitive of your feelings, considering that you're pregnant and
emotional."
Ngumuso ako at tumango. "I'm sorry too..."
"It's okay, sige, hindi na tayo kay Mia. I will take some time off this week
instead and I'll come with you to visit another doctor for a checkup."
"No!" I exclaimed out of panic and it was too late to take it back. Nakita ko ang
pagkunot ng noo niya kaya inunahan ko na. "I didn't come to my appointment with
Mia, but I visited a doctor earlier."
"Really?" His eyes widened a bit. "You visited another one?"
"Y-Yeah." I nodded. "Ayoko namang masayang 'yong araw kaya pumunta na ako."
"What did the doctor say?" he sounded so excited, making me feel guilty but I was
too afraid to take it back, thinking it would wipe the smile on his face.
"He...said our baby's fine. The baby's healthy," I said and he gasped, ang kamay
niya'y kaagad na inabot ang tiyan ko at kumuyom ang kamay ko.
"Really?" His eyes brightened. "W-What about the gender, Ry?" He glanced at me
excitedly. "Is it a girl? A boy?"
"W-Well..." I gulped, "I wasn't so sure if it was possible to know the gender for
now, but I told the doctor to keep it a secret from me i-if ever." My voice
trembled.
"Why so?" he asked, ang palad ay humahaplos sa tiyan ko at halos manakit na ang
labi ko kakakagat ko roon.
"Surprise," I uttered and noticed his confusion. "I-I wanted it to be a surprise,

North ko." Unti-unti'y ngumiti ako.
"Oh." North nodded and smirked, at mas lumapit pa sa akin at napasinghap ako nang
basta na lang niya akong patakan ng halik sa mga labi. "You wanted a surprise
gender reveal, huh?"
I blinked, hindi alam kung saan mabibigla. Sa sinabi niyang gender reveal o sa
biglaang halik?
"Uh...yeah." I nodded, disoriented. "H-How did you know about that?" I asked.
"Nothing." He chuckled lowly. "I just saw some videos."
"You've been watching?" I asked, amazed when he nodded and smiled shyly.
"Yeah, I was randomly looking for pregnancy videos so I could know more about your
condition and came across it. You wanted it, right? The gender reveal?
How would you like to do it?"
He sounded so thrilled kaya napalunok ako at unti-unti akong humawak sa baywang

niya at yumakap. Hinayaan niya akong gawin iyon, medyo umalalay pa siyang pahiga
habang gano'n ako kaya napaunan ako sa braso niya.
"Uh, maybe let's think about it soon," I answered and smiled, glancing at his face.
"I saw how it was done. May ibang sa balloon or sa cake. How would you like to do
it?" he asked. "So I can ask someone to monitor and organize the party."
The excitement in his voice should be making me happy, but what I felt was the
opposite. I was sad and disappointed at myself.
"Next time, North ko," I whispered and kissed his chin. "I'll tell you."
"Alright." He touched my hair and gently brushed it with his fingers. "What about
the ultrasound? Do you have it? Can I see?"
Bigla akong natigilan nang maisip bigla ang sinabi niya.
Shit, shit! I don't have one!
"Well..." My voice trembled but I managed to compose myself. Naupo pa ako sa kama
bago kuhain ang bag ko para kunwari'y maghanap doon.
He remained watching me, waiting for me to show it to him. Damang-dama ko ang

excitement niya pero nawala iyon nang kinagat ko na ang labi at binalingan siya.
"Shit..." I cursed and sighed. "I think I lost it."
"What? Why?" His eyes turned softer, and I noticed the disappointment in them.
"I was looking at it while I was in the spa earlier, ano...um, I couldn't get
enough and I put it on the table when I was called for the massage," I explained
and gulped. "S-Sorry, North ko. Babalikan ko bukas! Baka nando'n pa...sana."
Sumulyap ako sa kanya at kabadong ngumiti. "I'm sorry, North. I-I swear, I'll go
back tomorrow and see if it's still there!"
"Is our baby really okay?" he asked me instead and I nodded, watching his reaction.
"The baby's healthy and safe. N-Normal din ang heartbeat niya." Halos bulong na
'yon. "Sorry, North. Ang burara ko, I could've showed you our baby."
"Do you think our child would be pretty or handsome?" he asked, and my heart
pounded with indescribable feelings. I nodded.
"Kamukha mo," I said and smiled sweetly at him, making him chuckle.
"Alright, it'll be okay," he said. "Papahatid ba kita sa driver? Luckily, it'll

still be there, but if not, it's okay. We can still go to an OB in the next weeks.
Don't stress yourself."
"North ko..." I said in a soft voice. "Thank you for understanding."
"No worries," he said and lifted his hand, taking a few strands of my hair to put
it behind my ear. "Basta ayos ka lang at ang anak natin, ayos na ako."
Nagulat siya sa biglaang pagyakap ko. I could feel how he stiffened with my sudden
attack but later on let me do it, even touching my back and kissing my head,
hugging me tighter.
"How's the massage?" he asked and touched my back affectionately.
"Great, masarap," bulong ko, sinasamyo ang bango niya, tila gustong matulog na lang
sa braso niya.
"Are you tired?" he asked.
"Not really," I answered. "Nag-relax naman ako kanina."
"How about another massage?" he asked at namilog na ang mata ko, lalo na nang
maramdaman ko ang unti-unti niyang pagbaba ng zipper ng dress ko mula sa likod.
"North..." I muttered.
"You'll like this, Ry." He chuckled sensually. "It's more relaxing. Baka mapasigaw
ka pa sa sarap."
North Dominic wasn't him if not insatiable, so after that talk, I found myself
kissing him deeply on the lips, straddling him on our bed, and driving him crazy
that night.
The next day, I was extra nervous. Of course, I knew for a fact I couldn't find the
ultrasound photo because it was nonexistent, but I was bothered and woke up
thinking about the lies I made, the deceits I made them believe to be the truth.
Nasa isa kaming resto nagkita-kita nina Ad at Andrea. Laking pasalamat ko rin dahil
kaagad silang tumalima kahit busy ang schedule para lang makita ako at masamahan
gayong kailangan ko sila.
I was frantic and I had a nightmare last night of North leaving me after finding
out the truth about my lies. It took a toll on me and now, I was panicking.
"Namumutla ka, Ry. Ayos ka lang?" Andrea noticed when she first saw me. Iilan lang
ang tao sa resto kaya panatag akong dito sila kitain.
"Yeah." I nodded and flashed a smile.
"Nakatulog ka ba?" ani Adrian na inabot pa ang leeg ko para damhin. "Medyo mainit
ka, okay ka lang ba?" he asked and I nodded, sumimsim pa ng juice.
"Oo, medyo masama lang kasi ang pakiramdam ko. I woke up with a heavy feeling and I
puked, sinat lang siguro."
"What about a hospital, Ry?" Naramdaman ko kaagad ang pagpa-panic ni Andrea doon.
"Naku, delikadong lagnatin ang buntis! Kailangan mong magpa-checkup!
Teka at tatawagin ko si North—"
"Don't!" I almost screamed, stopping her. "I mean...no." Umiling ako. "Ayos lang
ako, Drea. Ayos lang."
"Really?" Ad's forehead creased. "Namumutla ka at hindi ka mukhang energetic

ngayong araw. Kung may sakit ka, kailangan natin magpa-checkup. Mapanganib para sa
'yo at kay baby—"
"I-I actually called you guys about it," I said.
"Why?" Drea asked. "'Di ba nagpa-checkup ka kahapon? How was it? Pwede na ba
malaman ang gender ng pamangkin namin? Is it a girl or a boy? Balak ko na kasi mag-
shopping para sa baby shower."
My heart felt like squeezing when I heard the excitement in her voice.
"Excited maging ninang lalo na 'yang si Andrea, Ry!" Ad chuckled. "Nagbabalak na

mag-order ng pang-baby shower mo! Alam mo ba, may nakita rin akong magagandang tela
para sa damit ng inaanak namin? Oh, can you feel the excitement? Grabe, excited na
kaming makita si baby—"
"There is no baby, Adrian," I said out loud, dahilan para matahimik silang dalawa.
Seryoso ko iyong sinabi, naghihintay ng reaksyon nila pero nagitla nang bigla
silang magtawanan sa harapan ko.
"Okay, it's a prank! Pero 'di kami naniwala!" ani Drea at natawa sila ni Ad, nag-
apir pa.
"Naku, Ry. Kulang ka lang sa tulog, kumain ka ng madami, oh. Tapos hahatid ka namin
sa inyo o kaya'y papa-checkup tayo para okay na kayo ni baby—"
"I said there is no baby, guys," I confessed but they chuckled again, as if finding
me ridiculous.
"Oh, come on, Ry." She shook her head. "Enough of that, hindi naman April ngayon
para sa April Fool's!"
Hindi ako nagsalita, nakita ko ang unti-unti nilang pagtigil doon nang matantong
wala akong naging reaksyon.
"Rylee Addison?" Adrian said, the amusement in his eyes vanishing. "Let's stop
joking around—"
"I said I have no baby!" I exclaimed, almost screaming it, startling them.
"Ry..." Andrea gasped. "What do you mean—"
"I-I have no baby..." iling-iling ko at napahawak sa tiyan ko. "I-I was deceiving
everyone, wala...wala talagang baby."
"Shit..." Adrian cursed and my eyes swelled when I saw their eyes and expression.
"I-I'm sorry..." Unti-unti ay nahulog na ang luha ko. "I-I'm really sorry for
lying, f-for deceiving you two. H-Hindi ko kasi masabi, n-natatakot ako."
I was waiting for them to lash out on me and get mad. Habang iniisip 'yon ay
napaiyak akong lalo, wala nang pakialam na nasa resto kami at napatakip na ako ng
bibig at tumungo.
"I-I'm sorry...I-I just loved North so m-much...m-mahal na mahal ko siya." I

covered my face with both of my palms, shaking in fear of them getting mad at me. I
expected it, but they did the opposite.
Naramdaman ko ang pagtabi nila sa akin at mas nanghina ako at napaiyak nang basta
na lang nila akong yakapin, pilit na dinadamayan at iniintindi sa kabila ng mga
kasinungaling nagawa.
I told them everything, never leaving a single detail. Kitang-kita ko ang

panghihinayang sa mukha nilang dalawa. I knew they were disappointed and probably
mad at me for lying, but being good friends they were, dumamay sila sa akin at
pinakinggan ang paliwanag ko kahit hindi katanggap-tanggap at selfish.
"Let's say North fell in love with you, Ry," ani Andrea. "But it's not right for
you to lie and deceive him until now."
"I agree," Adrian nodded, sighing. "Ramdam ko rin sa tingin pa lang na may
tiyansang nahulog na sa 'yo si North, pero hindi 'yon magiging sapat para maging
maayos kayo. Maraming nangyari, Rylee. Nagsinungaling ka, hindi lang sa kanya kung
hindi sa pamilya n'yong dalawa. You lied to your brother too, and you told us
before that it affected their friendship."
I nodded and sniffed, feeling my chest grow heavier.

"Ry, kaibigan ka namin at mahal ka namin pero kasi mali." Andrea shook her head.
"Disappointed kami ni Ad pero hindi ka namin iiwan kasi kaibigan ka namin, karamay
mo kami pero mali 'yong ginawa mo. Kailangan mong sabihin kaagad kay North ang
totoo."
I nodded and sighed. "I-I will...but I'm scared, Drea. P-Paano kung ayaw na niya?
P-Paano kung magalit siya tapos iwan a-ako?"
"You started that fire knowing you'll end up getting burned, Rylee," ani Adrian sa
akin, marahan ang pagkakasabi pero ang sikip sa loob pakinggan.
"What you did...alam mo na siguro ang magiging kapalit sa panandalian mong saya?"
I nodded desperately, still wiping my tears.
"Then face it, Ry. Alam kong mahirap but you have to." He hushed me, even trying to
dry my tears.
"Magagalit si North pero kailangan mong sabihin, baka maaaring mabawasan ang sakit
kung ikaw mismo ang magsasabi kaysa galing sa iba, right?" Drea then gave me a
glass of water, smiling reassuringly.
Talking to my friends who understood me somehow lifted a heavy thing off my chest.
Kinakabahan at takot ma'y alam ko sa sarili kong kailangan ko nang harapin ang
kamaliang nagawa ko.
It wasn't like I could pretend any longer. A month and so from now, it would be
questionable if my stomach was still not big. I couldn't hide the truth forever.
Nakauwi akong buo ang loob na sabihin sa kanya ang totoo, pero sa sobrang pagod
ko'y nauwi ako sa tulog. Nagising na lang ako na nasa kama na, mataas na ang araw,
at wala na si North sa tabi ko.
"Gosh..." I sighed, touching my aching head.
I slept in late! I didn't even get to see my boyfriend!

Matamlay akong bumaba sa kusina, naupo sa stool at napangiti nang makita ang
nakatakip na mga pagkain. May note rin na maliit kaya inabot ko 'yon at binasa.
Hi, baby! Sorry for going to work this early. Had some important meetings today.
Eat well. I'll be back home early.
-North mo
"North ko?" I whispered and smiled, bumaling ako sa nakatakip at binuksan iyon,
pero unang langhap ko pa lang sa ulam ay umikot na ang tiyan ko.
I covered my mouth. Sa sobrang pagmamadali ay halos madapa na ako makapunta lang ng

banyo, at pagkakita ko pa lang sa bowl ay napaluhod na ako at nasuka.
My stomach was churning so bad. I touched my tummy and gripped the bowl to help
myself because it was too much. I felt like I puked all the food I ate yesterday.
Halos mapaupo ako roon nang mawala nang mailabas, nahihilo, at wala sa sarili.
"Ano bang nakain ko kagabi?" bulong-bulong ko sa sarili, iritado.
I stood from the ground, pumunta sa lababo para magsipilyo at maghilamos,

pagkatapos ay napatitig sa salamin.
I looked pale and sick.
I sighed and brushed my hair. "Where's the meds?" I whispered and walked out of the
room. Nadaanan ko ang calendar kaya bumalik ako para tumingin doon, i-che-check
sana ang date pero natigilan nang may matanto.
My eyes found the supposed date for my monthly menstruation, realizing I was
freaking delayed.
Paunti-unti, umahon ang kaba sa dibdib ko, nanginginig ang kamay na tinakbo ang
jacket para makababa sa drugstore at makabili ng kailangan ko.
I bought three sticks to make sure. My hand was trembling uncontrollably while
waiting for the results.
"Oh my God...oh my God," I whispered and fanned my face, almost screaming in

frustration, hindi alam kung mamatay sa nerbyos o sisigaw sa sobrang tuwa na
posible ang iniisip ko.
When the time came, parang nilipad ko yata ang stick, pikit-matang lumapit doon, at
tahimik na nagdadasal.
"This is it..." I whispered to myself, and slowly, I opened my eyes, only to feel
shocked by the results of the three sticks I bought.
Freaking positive. I am pregnant.
www.wattpad.com
18 - 23 minutes
Chapter 20
"Oh my God...oh my God," I whispered and placed the pregnancy test sticks back and
gasped.
"Is it true?" tanong ko sa sarili, mabilis pang sinampal ang pisngi at tumalon-
talon. "I'm not dreaming, right?"
Sa takot ko'y mabilis akong tumakbo palapit sa sink, muling naghilamos para
mahimasmasan o magising kung sakaling panaginip man iyon—pero hindi.
It wasn't a dream...oh my God, I wasn't freaking dreaming!
I screamed at the top of my lungs. Hindi ko na napagilang mapatalon-talon sa

sobrang tuwa pero biglang naalalang mali pala ang ginagawa kaya natigilan ako.
"Shit, I'm so sorry, baby!" I gasped, touching my tummy. Kaagad akong napatitig
muli sa mga pregnancy sticks ko at inabot iyon, hindi pa rin makapaniwala sa
nangyayari.
I was pregnant with North's child! We were actually having a baby...for real this
time!
Nakangiwing tinakpan ko ang sana'y masarap na pagkaing niluto ni North para sa akin
pero ayaw ko ng amoy dahil sa pagbubuntis.
Pagbubuntis...
I laughed happily, shaking my head in glee. Couldn't stop myself from laughing
anymore.
"I'm pregnant..." I said and touched my stomach gently. "Baby, your daddy would be
glad about you."
Halo ang nararamdaman ko no'ng umagang iyon. I was excited to call and tell North
about my pregnancy but I knew it was a wrong move, knowing he knew about my
pregnancy for months now.
And it would be suspicious, aware si North sa bilang ng buwa ng pagbubuntis ko. The
only thing I could do right now was tell him the truth.
Be a woman enough, Ry. You started these deceits, so you must know how to correct
everything.
Gusto ko mang magsalita at magsabi na kaagad sa mga kaibigan pero hindi ko muna
ginawa, iniisip na kailangang si North muna ang makaalam nito. I cooked him good
lunch, a simple one, and decided to go to his office to talk to him.
I wore flat sandals—what North had been advising me to do for too long to prevent
me from losing my balance that might hurt me and the baby—and now, I was doing it
heartily because it was real this time. We were going to be parents.
Nagpasalamat ako sa driver ng cab na sinakyan ko bago lumabas sa sasakyan, gripping

the paper bag of North's lunch. Nakangiti pa akong naglalakad patawid patungo sa
entrance nang biglaang may sasakyan na dumaan bago pa man ako makatawid.
Muntik na akong mahagip kaya napasinghap ako. Sa gulat ay napaatras at napaupo pa

sa gilid ng daan.
"Hindi kasi tumitingin sa dinadaanan!" the driver scolded and looked at the mirror,
ni hindi man lang ako tinulungan, at iritadong umalis.
I closed my eyes tightly. Masakit ang pang-upo ko, pero akmang tatayo na nang may
kaagad dumalo sa akin.
"Rylee Addison! What the fuck are you doing on the ground?!"
Sa diin pa lang ng boses ay namilog na ang mata ko.
"Kuya..."
His irritated black eyes stared at me, dumukwang siya at kaagad na hinawakan ang
kamay ko.
"Why are you there? Are you okay?" aniyang tuloy-tuloy kaya namamanghang tumango pa
ako at ngumiti.
"Yes po..." I bit my lip. "Kuya, galit ka pa sa akin?"
"Jesus, Ry!" He closed his eyes tightly and held my forearm. "You're on the ground
and that's what you say?"
Napatawa na ako. Nakita ko ang iritadong mata niya habang tinutulungan akong patayo
mula sa lapag. He took my bag, at kumapit ako sa kanya. Nang makatayo ay pinagpagan
ko ang palda ng dress na suot.
"Are you okay?" he asked me seriously and I nodded, staring in his eyes. Alam kong
galit siya pero ang concern sa kanyang mata'y kitang-kita.
"Hmm..." I nodded and smiled cutely at him. "Kuya ko, galit ka pa sa akin?"
"You..." He closed his eyes tightly. "You're really a brat, Rylee."
"You haven't been speaking to me for too long now! Don't you miss me?" I sulked and
he sighed, umakbay sa akin ang kapatid ko at nailing.
"Saan ka ba pupunta? Let's go for a lunch," aniya at nawala sa isip ko si North,

masyadong natutuwa na ang kuya ko, pagkatapos ng mahabang panahon, ay ito ngayon at
nag-aaya sa aking kumain.
"Alright!" I said happily and came with him to the resto nearby.
My kuya, despite his cold treatment, was still concerned about me. Alam kong galit
siya, binalaan niya rin ako noong huwag maglalapit kay North pero makulit ako. I
deserved his cold treatment anyway, at alam kong nagsinungaling lang ako noong
buntis kay North, pero nasira ko ang friendship nila.
"What happened? Bakit ka nando'n sa lapag?"
"Just some driver, Kuya." I sighed. "'Di ko napansing may dadaan kaya tumawid ako,
kaso ayon, muntik na akong mahagip. Sa gulat ko napaatras ako at napaupo."
His forehead creased. "Who was it? He didn't even help you?" iritadong tanong niya.
"No..." I shook my head.
"What's the plate number—"
"Kuya, I'm okay." I gave him a smile. "Hindi naman sobra ang pagbagsak, nagulat
lang."
"But still..." His eyes landed on my stomach. "You're pregnant, Rylee! Paano kung
may nangyari sa pamangkin ko?"
My eyes swelled. Ang mata'y niya'y hinanap kaagad ang mata ko at nakita ko ang
gulat niya roon.
"Ry..."
"Kuya..." I sniffed and cried.
"What the hell, Rylee Addison..." he uttered, shocked. "Why are you..."
"K-Kuya ko, s-sorry na!" I exclaimed and stood, mabilis akong naupo sa tabi niya at
walang pasubaling yumakap sa kanya, umiiyak.
He was stunned at ramdam ko ang pag-aalangan niya, tila gustong panatilihing galit
pero mas yumakap ako at umiyak.
"M-Miss na kita, K-Kuya ko. S-Sorry..." I choked out, almost in a whisper.
"B-Bati na tayo, p-pansinin mo na ako..."
After a few moments, I felt him hugging me back. Mas naging emosyonal ako roon,
nanginginig pa nang yumakap siya nang mahigpit sa akin.
"Shh, stop crying, Ry," he muttered. "I was just mad because you're hardheaded."
"I-I'm sorry..." I sobbed. "S-Sorry po, Kuya. S-Sorry, p-pansinin mo na po a-
ako..."
I didn't like being emotional but my brother was something else. Bata pa lang kami
ay sobrang lapit na namin. He was playful but overprotective of me, ni hindi siya
boto kay North kahit alam niyang gustong-gusto ko ang kaibigan niya.
"I wanted to protect you from the heartache, Ry," ani kuya na parang tatay ko pa
kung makasermon, naglalagay ng mga pagkain sa plato ko.
"Why?" I asked. "North is a good man—"
"I know but he has no time for anything else but work." His forehead creased.
"And he told me before he has no time with girls—"
"He likes me, Kuya," I cut him off at mas bumusangot siya roon.
"I fucking know."
"Alam mo na pala?!" I gasped. "Bakit 'di mo sinabi sa akin? Kuya, North's my

longtime crush—"
"You are just infatuated with him, Ry," iritang sabi niya.
"I am not!" I defended. "I'm in love with him! You knew! Alam mo namang mabuting
tao ang kaibigan mo, you know him better so you should've known!"
"That's the thing, Ry." Kumunot ang noo niya. "I know him too well, which is why I
don't want you to be with him."
"What?"
"Like I told you, he has no time with girls now. Puro 'yon trabaho, Rylee—"
"Then don't give him work?" I suggested and stopped when he glared at me.
"Yeah, right," he said sarcastically. "He's involved with Mia, Ry. He cares for
her."
"Huh?" I asked, confused, and he sighed, nagulo pa ang buhok at sumulyap sa akin.
"Mia likes him, Ry," aniyang seryoso at napatango ako, aware naman na roon.
"Yeah...so?" I asked.
"I know North's attracted to you but that's it. Before you even announced your
pregnancy, I've been hearing rumors North and her getting married for a business
merging," he said seriously, making me freeze up.
"I haven't confirmed anything but I realized he wasn't planning to be serious with
you, even if he liked or was attracted to you." Natahimik ako, naiintindihan ang
pinanghuhugutan niya. "But seeing you now, I guess and hope he's treating you
right. Ayaw ko pa rin sa kanya para sa 'yo kahit anong sabihin mo. Isang beses ko
lang marinig na sinaktan ka niya, kukunin kita kahit umayaw ka, Rylee. Tandaan mo
'yan."
Natahimik ako, inabot ko ang juice at uminom bago bumuntonghininga at bumaling kay
kuya.
"He's in love with me, Kuya." I said. "I can feel it," I told him reassuringly.
Instead of going to his office, nagtungo ako sa reception para ipabigay na lang sa
boyfriend ko ang pagkain. I was worried and nervous, naiisip pa rin ang sinabi ni
kuya at ang balak kong pagsabi kay North ng totoo.
"Ma'am, kay Sir Alvarado po ba?" the receptionist asked.

"Yes," I answered and smiled a little. "Is he there? Para sana sa lunch niya
'yan."
"Oh..." Namilog ang bibig niya at napatango. "sandali lang po, Ms. Sandoval, ah?
Check ko po sa secretary ni sir if nand'yan."
Tumango ako at hinintay siya. Pagbalik niya'y kaagad niyang tinawag ang pansin ko.
"Papaakyat ko na lang po itong pagkain pero wala raw po kasi si sir sa opisina sabi
ng secretary niya, umalis daw po kanina before mag-eleven."
My forehead creased. "Meeting?" I asked.
"Hindi po ako sure pero kasama niya po si Ms. Santiago, si Ma'am Mia po. Nag-lunch
po yata," aniya at napatango-tango ako, nararamdaman ang pagsikip ng dibdib pero
inisip na huwag na lang magpaapekto.
They were probably out for a meeting...or a friendly lunch, perhaps.
Pumunta ako kina Andrea para bumisita. Adrian came as well after a few hours and we
decided to watch movies and eat to spend our time. They didn't ask me for my
progress about telling North the truth which I was thankful for. Wala nga lang
akong lakas ng loob sabihin sa kanilang totoong may dinadala na ako ngayon.
I pretended to be happy while I was with them so they didn't worry. Nakatulog din
kami sa sobrang tawanan at kwentuhan at nagising lang ako nang halos magalas nwebe
na ng gabi.
I panicked as I took my phone from my pouch, stunned when I saw dozens of North's
unread texts and missed calls.
From: North ko
Where are you? Come home now.
From: North ko
Let's talk.
"Ad..." Ginising ko ang kaibigan na mukhang naalimpungatan pa.
"What?"
"C-Can you help me call a cab?" I asked and he yawned and nodded, naupo pa sa kama
at sinipa si Andrea na napabalikwas ng bangon sa gulat.
"Hahatid ka na lang namin," Ad offered but I refused, insisting to just call a cab
so I wouldn't disturb them.
Nakisuyo pa ako sa na dumaan pa kami sa fast food para may maiuwi ako at natatakam
din sa strawberry sundae na nakatulong para mawala ang iniisip ko sa biyahe.
How would I approach him? How would I tell him I was lying all along? That right
now, I was telling the truth? Na buntis ako?
I was expecting him in our room or probably sleeping, but to my shock, he was on
the sofa in the living room. In front of him were bottles of liquors.
"Where have you been?" His black eyes bore to me after asking me that coldly.
"North," I called, nagtataka man na nakikita siyang umiinom ng alak ay ngumiti pa

rin.
I was expecting a smile from him, a sweet one—the usual he'd been giving me, but he
didn't. his face was neutral, at wala mang emosyon ay nakita ko ang pamumula ng
mukha niya sa nainom.
"N-Ngayon ka lang?" I asked, nag-aalangan sa ekspresyon sa kanyang mukha.
"Sorry, ngayon lang ako. Uh, akyat muna ako."
"Have you found the ultrasound?" he asked and my mouth parted, tila lalabas na
naman ang puso sa lakas ng kalabog nito sa dibdib ko.
"Uh, about that." Hindi ako nakatingin sa kanya habang sinasabi iyon. "Sorry,
natapon daw kasi. Don't worry! I promise to take care of the ultrasound photos sa
susunod na checkup."
"When will that be?" he asked, tumayo pa mula sa pagkakaupo sofa. Nakita ko kung
paanong pagmasdan niya ang mukha ko, madilim ang mukha at nagpamulsa pa.
"Next month?" I answered and smiled. "If you want, pwede kang sumama sa akin."
"What about now?" he asked, and his tone sounded so scarily cold, pero tumango ako
at bahagyang lumapit sa kanya.
I was hesitant at first but I walked closer and stood in front of him. Kaagad kong
naamoy ang matapang na alak sa kanya kaya sumulyap ako muli sa lamesa.
"Uminom ka?" I asked. "Why? What's the matter? Sa trabaho ba?"
Hindi siya sumagot kaya ang kamay kong kakahawak pa lang sa magkabilang braso niya
ay inangat ko at sinapo ang pisngi niya. I quickly noticed something in his eyes,
seryoso iyon pero ang lalim ng tingin sa akin, tila binabasa iyon.
"Sa work, ano?" I asked. "You can talk to me about it, okay? I'll listen, hindi mo
kailangang uminom kung stressed ka—"
"What did the doctor say about the child?" he asked, stopping me.
"O-Our baby is fine, North," I explained, my heart pounding harshly again.

"The doctor said the baby's healthy and normal, wala namang komplikasyon."
"Which hospital was that, then?" he asked.
"Uh..." Nangingilid na ang luha ko sa kaba. "I-I forgot, let me check the brochure.
Naiwan ko sa taas, kunin ko lang."
I was panicking. Binitawan ko ang kanyang pisngi, akmang tatalikod para umalis,
pero sa gulat ko'y nahawakan niya ang siko ko.
"Really, huh? Which hospital was it, Ry? Nakalimutan mo?" The sarcasm in his voice
made my heart leap.
Napalunok ako at muling hinila ang kamay. "I will check, North—"
"Tell me...which hospital would bother checking up on a woman pretending to be

pregnant?"
Doon na umawang ang labi ko. Mabilis ko siyang nilingon at kaagad na nakita ang
pag-igting ng panga niya.
I pulled my arm from him and gasped. "North, what are you saying, baby?"
Pinalambing ko pa ang boses. "Who told you that? That's not true—"
"Isn't it, Rylee?" I swear I heard the acid dripping from his tone. "So you're
pregnant?"
I nodded hastily, sweating. "Yes—"
"Bullshit, Sandoval!" sigaw niya kaya nahulog na ang luha ko.

"North—"
"How long do you still plan to fool me, Rylee Addison?!"
Sa pait ng boses niya ay mas bumigat ang dibdib ko kaya dali-dali akong umiling.
"N-North, please..." I uttered desperately. "L-Let me explain—"
"Bullshit, Rylee!" He pushed my hand away from him harshly. "You are a liar!
I was fucking happy! I believed you all this time and yet..."
Nanahimik siya at binasa ang labi, nag-iwas ng tingin at parang dinurog ang puso ko
nang tumingala siya para pigilan ang mga luha. Pero nakita ko ang patuloy nitong
pag-agos sa kanyang pisngi.
"...And yet, you f-fooled me?" His bloodshot eyes stared at me and I began sobbing,
shaking my head.
"S-Sorry..." Doon na tuluyang nabasag ang boses ko, hinahagilap ang kanyang kamay.
"N-North, please...s-sasabihin ko naman sa 'yo..."
"Kailan, huh?" mariing sabi niya. "K-Kapag naloko mo na ako nang buong-buo?
Kapag nauto mo na ako sa panloloko mo, huh? Kailan?! Kapag nagago mo na ako nang
tuluyan?!"
"N-North...hindi," iling ko at muling hinagilap ang kamay niya. "H-hayaan mo akong

magpaliwanag—"
"Good thing I really didn't bare my soul to you."
When I heard that, I felt like my heart was cut into millions of pieces.
"N-North, no..." I shook my head, my trembling hand trying to touch his face.
"N-Nagawa ko lang 'yon k-kasi mahal na mahal kita...n-nagawa ko lang 'yon kasi ayaw
k-kong mawala ka. M-Mahal kita kaya—"
"Then I don't accept your love, Miss. That kind of love you have is disgusting,"
malamig at mariin niyang sabi, ang puno ng muhing mga mata ay nakatitig sa akin.
"D-Don't say that, North," I whispered desperately, "I-I know I did something
wrong, l-lahat 'to ay mali! S-Sasabihin ko naman sa 'yo! Sasabihin ko na dapat!
Mali ako...maling nagsinungaling ako! M-Maling niloko kita p-pero m-mahal mo naman
ako, 'di ba? B-baka p'wedeng—"
"Who told you I'm in love with you?"
I gulped harshly, wiped the tears on my eyes. "N-No one but I felt it...here." I
pointed my chest. "I felt how you love and took care of me—"
"I only got close to you for the baby, Rylee." He said my name like he wanted to
spit it out. "That's all. Sa tingin mo ba makikipaglapit ako sa 'yo? Kung hindi
dahil sa bata ay hinding-hindi kita pipiliin."
My hands trembled even more, unti-unti akong napahawak sa tiyan ko.
"B-but I'm pregnant now..." bulong ko at hinanap ang mata niya. "T-Totoong buntis
na ako—"
"You really are shameless," tawa niyang puno ng sarkasmo, umiigting ang panga. "Mia
was right."
"I-I'm telling the truth, North," I said. "P-Please believe me. O-Oo,
nagsinungaling ako noon p-pero ngayon...I am telling the truth, North. I'm pregnant
with your child—"
"I'd never accept a child if it was from a conniving liar like you," he said flatly
and tilted his head, staring at my stomach. "You are shameless, woman.
I'm disgusted by the likes of you."

"N-North..." Hinawakan ko ang kamay niya at pilit na pinahawak siya sa tiyan ko.
"I-I'm telling the truth! F-Feel it—"
I was shocked when he pulled his hand harshly from my grip, and his enraged dark
eyes stared at me with nothing but pure disgust and hatred.
"I hope I never met you," he said. "I almost fell for you...damn, Ry. You made me
crazy, but what you did? It turned everything to ashes. Nandidiri ako sa 'yo.
Nandidiri ako sa klase ng tao kagaya mo."
Nanlalabo na ang mata ko sa mga nahuhulog na luha pero pilit pa rin akong umiiling.
"P-Please, North..." bulong ko. "T-Totoong b-buntis ako. T-Totoong—"
"You can't fool me again. I am not that stupid," North said coldly. I tried
touching him but he pushed my hand away, dahilan para mapaupo ako sa sofa habang
umiiyak. "Suit yourself, woman."
"N-North...huwag, please. S-Sorry...p-pakinggan mo naman ako." My voice sounded so

desperate and begging, halos lumuhod na ako sa harapan niya. "AAng baby natin—"
"Stop fooling yourself. You keep that baby with you." Narinig ko ang pait sa boses
niya. "I don't want to see you here tomorrow."
"What?" Suminghap ako. "North, please...p-parang-awa m-mo na..." Inabot ko ang

pulsuhan niya para magmakaawa.
"I don't want to see you again. Huwag ka nang papakita sa akin," he said coldly and
pushed my hand off from his wrist. "Leave my house, disgusting people like you
aren't welcome here."
When he left, I found myself sobbing harshly—gripping my aching chest, calling him,
begging for him to take me back and listen but I knew...I knew this was all my
fault.
I walked underneath an igniting fire in a thin wire. I started this game of lies,
mistakes, and heated deceptions—but fell and ended up getting burned.
www.wattpad.com
18 - 23 minutes
Chapter 21
"North..." I whispered the next morning when he stepped out of his own room,
mukhang bagong paligo at papasok na sa opisina.
"North," I called again and walked closer to him, planning to block him from
walking away but his cold eyes glanced at me.
"What are you still doing here?" he asked. "I told you to leave, right?"
"North..." My voice broke. "C-Can you please let me explain?"
"Explain what, huh?" His jaw clenched. "Explain how to made those lies to deceive
me?"
"No..." I shook my head. "Mali ako a-at alam ko 'yon, North. S-Sana hayaan mo akong
magpaliwag, m-marami akong gusto sabihin sa 'yo."
"Like what? You're pregnant for real now?" I noticed the disgust and sarcasm in his
voice as he spat those words. "No lie would ever make me believe you again."
"But I'm..." I touched my stomach. "I-I'm really—"
"Bullshit," he said and glanced at my stomach before staring at me. "I'll never get
tired saying how bullshit your words are, Rylee. Ang lakas ng loob mong
magsinungaling na naman pagkatapos ng lahat?"
"I'm telling the truth, North!" I exclaimed desperately. "I-I admit I lied to you!
Inaamin ko mali ako at pinagsisisihan ko 'yon, t-tatanggapin ko ang galit mo sa
akin p-pero huwag namang ganito...mahal kita, North. M-Maniwala ka, nagsinungaling
ako k-kasi mahal kita..."
"Then keep that love to yourself. Kahit anong gawin mo, hinding-hindi ko
masusuklian 'yan," mariing sabi niya. "I felt bad liking you dahil kay Zoren, at
least, kasi ngayon? Hindi na. Nagsisisi ako bakit pa kita nagustuhan."
"B-Baby, please..." I reached for him but he took a step back from me.
"I'll never love you, Rylee. Remember that. Never," he spat and walked past me, and
when he was gone, I fell on the ground—crying and wishing I could turn back time to
do things right.
"I-I'm sorry..." I whispered and cried louder, touching my stomach. "I-I'm so
sorry, baby. S-sorry, North."
Wala akong pahinga, nahihilo pa at wala sa sarili ay alam kong dapat kong makausap
si North. Hindi na para sa akin kung hindi para sa baby namin. Para sa baby namin.
Nagtungo ako sa kanyang opisina pagkatapos kong mag-ayos ng sarili para sana
magbakasakaling makausap man lang siya, pero bigo na naman ako.
"I'm so sorry, Ma'am. Nasa meeting po kasing importante si sir," nakangiting sabi
sa akin ng kanyang secretary kaya bumagsak ang balikat ko. "What about some juice?
Para man lang habang naghihintay kayo kay sir?"
"No, hindi na. Upo lang ako rito. Salamat," nakangiting sabi ko bago naupo sa sofa
at nilibang ang sarili ko sa nasa paligid, sa mga magazine sa table.
An hour passed. Nakita ko ang pagsulyap sa akin ng secretary kaya ngumiti ako at
lumapit siya.
"Ma'am Rylee, sorry po. Tumawag po ako kay sir kanina para sabihing nandito ka pero
po kasi..." She paused, hesitant.
"What?" I asked.
"Um, 'di ko rin po alam kung bakit ganito pero hindi raw niya po kayo kakausapin,"
she said.
"W-What?" Bumigat ang dibdib ko. "B-Bakit daw?"
"You need to schedule a meeting po to talk to him, uh..." She cleared her throat.
"Hindi niya raw po i-a-accommodate ang mga hindi importanteng—"
"Ah..." I smiled faintly at her. "Okay lang. Sige, kakausapin ko na lang siya sa
bahay. M-Medyo may hindi kasi kami pagkakaintindihan ngayon kaya..."
"Oh..." She nodded, and I saw the concern in her eyes. "Sige po, pero baka po gusto
n'yo po munang magpahinga d'yan or kumain? I can ask the cafeteria for—
"
"I'm okay, thank you," I said.
"Pero namumutla po kayo." She glanced at my face. "Are you sure po?"
"Yeah." I nodded. "Maraming salamat, sige. Una na ako."
Nag-aalangan pa siya pero wala ng nagawa nang umalis na ako, medyo nahilo pa ako
habang papunta sa elevator kaya humawak ako at medyo pumikit.
"Gutom ka na ba, anak?" I whispered and glanced at my stomach. "I'm so sorry, baby.
Nadadamay ka pa problema ni mommy. Don't worry, kakain din tayo, hmm?"
Nang makarating ako sa lobby ay nanghihinang napaupo ako sa sofa roon, naghihintay
kung makikita si North para makausap, pero tila may dumagan sa dibdib ko pagkakita
sa kanyang papasok sa building.
The usual intimidating, cold, and serious North Dominic stepped inside.
Papatayo na sana ako para makausap siya pero nawala ang determinasyon at lakas kong
tumayo nang makita kung sino ang nasa tabi niya.
Mia Santiago looked intimidating beside him wearing her black dress. She was
wearing heels, hair up in a high ponytail. I saw how the staff greeted the both of
them and Mia even put her arm around North's. He didn't seem to be annoyed by it,
bumaling pa siya sa babae at nakita ko ang malambing na ngiti ni Mia sa kanya at
mas kumapit.
"Ang powerful tingnan ni Ma'am Mia at Sir North, ano?"
Kaagad akong napatungo nang marinig ang usapang iyon mula sa mga empleyadong
paparating.
"Oo, bagay na bagay nga," ani ng kausap nito. "Akala ko talaga sila ang
magkakatuluyan kasi tingnan mo naman ang chemistry. Ang lakas!"
My heart squeezed kaya kumuyom ang kamay ko.
"Oo, bagay pero okay naman 'yong isa, ah? Sino 'yon? 'Yong model? Girlfriend
'yon ni Sir North, 'di ba? Totoo bang buntis?"
"Oo raw," ani nila. "Narinig ko lang, ah? Pero balita ko sila dapat ang ikakasal
talaga ni Ma'am Mia kaso buntis 'yong babaeng isa kaya pinanagutan."
"Oh, talaga? Bale, kaya niya girlfriend kasi nabuntis?"
"Oo," tawa nito. "Pero ewan ko kung totoo nga, rumor lang. Walang confirmation
naman pero baka break na? Tingnan mo 'yong dalawa, mas bagay talaga sila ni Ma'am
Mia. Professional pa talaga. 'Yong isa kasi ewan, parang immature minsan."
When they left, kaagad kong hinawi ang luha at ipinikit ang mata. Mas tumungo ako
para itago ang mukha at humawak sa tiyan ko at marahan iyong hinaplos.
"H-Hindi 'yon totoo, baby, hmm?" mahinang sabi ko. "Ano...kain na lang tayo, sorry,
nagutom ka yata ni m-mommy."
Walang gana pa akong kumain. I felt like puking every time I ate a meal pero para
sa anak ko ay kailangan kong maging malakas. Nabuhayan lang ako no'ng nalaman kong
may mga fresh strawberries sa napuntahan kong store kaya iyon ang pinapak ko habang
hinihintay ang uwi ni North.
I felt like I was at the verge of giving up, but I refused to—for our baby.
Kailangang malaman ni North na totoo ang sinasabi ko. Para kay baby...kahit hindi
na ako.
I waited for him. Alas nwebe na nang makalabas siya. Kumunot pa ang noo ko na
kasabay niya pa rin si Mia hanggang ngayon.
Hindi nila ako nakita. I saw the serious North walking towards the exit and Mia was
following him.
Kaagad akong tumayo at sumunod sa kanila. The two of them rode North's car, and I
followed it by calling a cab. They were going a nightclub.
They entered the high-end night bar. Papasok na rin sana ako para sumunod pero
sumagi sa pang-amoy ko ang amoy ng sigarilyo.
I covered my nose and felt my stomach churning. I tried controlling it but I

couldn't, mabilis kong tinakbo ang malapit na comfort room para sumuka pero wala
namang lumabas kahit anong pilit ko.
I felt so exhausted, naghilamos ako sa sink at sumandal sa pader habang ikinakalma

ang sarili.
"I just need to talk to him," I soothed myself and closed my eyes tightly.
Nang makakuha na ng lakas ay 'tsaka lang ako nagdesisyong lumabas ng banyo at

bumalik sa nightclub kung nasaan sila.
The disco lights almost blinded me, ang usok ay halos tabunan na ang mga
nagsasayawang tao sa dance floor na umiindak sa aliw ng nakakaindak na musika.
I felt dizzier. May mga naka-recognize pa sa akin sa crowd na kapwa ko modelo at

ibang mga artista. Some even offered me drinks but I immediately refused and looked
instead for North.
Nakaabot ako sa ikalawang palapag kung saan overlooking ang dance floor.
Marahan akong humawak at humakbang paakyat sa takot na madulas o mahulog at baka

mapahamak ang anak ko.
I brushed my hair, smiled when some people recognized me and walked around, looking
for him, only to see him talking to Mia.
He was resting his back on the barricade, ang kamay na may alak ay nasa kanyang
kamay at kaharap si Mia na kinakausap siya, sobrang lapit sa isa't isa.
I opened my mouth, planning to call him, when Mia wrapped her arms around North's
nape, moved closer, and kissed him on the lips.
I was stunned. Nakita ko rin ang pagkakatigil ni North doon at bahagyang nanlaki
ang mata.
My heart jumped when accidentally, our eyes met. I saw the shock look in his orbs
upon seeing me, but it immediately vanished.
Tila natigil ako sa kinatatayuan nang bumaba ang kamay niya sa baywang ni Mia, at
habang nakatingin sa akin ay hinalikan pabalik ang babae.
Tila piniraso ang puso ko. I took a step back, covered my mouth, and before I could
even cry, I turned my back and ran away from the place.
Halos manlabo ang mga mata ko sa luha. Wala na akong pakialam kung masigawan at
masaktan ako sa mga nagagalit na mga tao dahil nababangga ko. I just wanted to get
away from here, to finally get some air because it was too hard...too hard to
breathe.
I clutched my chest. My sight became blurry with tears. Tinakbo ko palabas ang
club, naghahabol ng hininga nang bumangga ako kung saan.
"Rylee?"
My eyes widened when I saw who it was. "L-Liam..." I said faintly.
"Why are you...Rylee!" His voice raised while calling my name when I lost my
remaining strength, my consciousness slowly ebbing away. I dropped on the ground.
"She shouldn't be stressed."
Ang mga mata ko'y unti-unting nagmulat nang marinig ang mahinang boses na iyon.
Kaagad akong sinalubong ng pamilyar na puting pader.
Mabilis akong napaupo. Nakita ko ang gulat ng mga tao roon kaya napahawak ako sa
tiyan.
"M-My baby?" I asked the moment I saw the doctor.
"Miss..."
"H-How's my b-baby?" I asked frustratedly, nagulat pa nang makita si Kuya Zoren na

kausap ang doktor.
"Rylee, calm down—"
"K-Kuya, how's my baby? 'Y-Yong anak ko?" I asked again and the doctor held my hand
and smiled.
"The baby's fine, Miss. You just fainted out of stress. You are both fine,"
aniya. Doon na ako nakahinga, tila nabunutan ng tinik ang dibdib ko at napapikit
nang lapitan na ako ni kuya at yakapin.
"Kuya..." I called faintly.
"Shh, it's alright," he whispered and touched my hair. "The baby's fine, Ry.
Ayos lang kayong dalawa. Good thing Mr. Garcia called me."
"H-Huh?" I blinked, at mula sa pagkakayakap sa kuya ay napasulyap sa sofa at nakita

si Liam, ang kaibigan at kapwa ko modelo. Architect din siya sa project nina kuya.
"Liam, hi. Thank you," I uttered when I saw him.
"No worries." Ngumiti siya sa akin. "Good thing I saw you, are you okay?"
"Yes..." I nodded and smiled at him.
"Excuse me, Ms. Rylee." Ang mata ko mula kay Liam ay napabaling papunta sa doktor
na tumawag sa aking pansin. "But may I ask when was your last checkup?"
"Uh..." Napahawak ako sa tiyan at mabilis na umiling. "Hindi pa po."
"What?" Kuya asked. "What are you saying?" ani kuya sa akin, kaya malungkot ko lang
siyang tiningnan pero 'di sinagot, muling bumabaling sa doktor.
"Wala pa po, Doc," I said. "H-How's the baby? How old is he?"
I could feel my brother's intense stare at me. Alam kong maraming tanong sa kanyang
utak pero hindi na umimik.
"The baby's seven weeks old, Miss." She smiled. "Anyway, would you like to talk to
our OB? She'll discuss with you your pregnancy, mukhang kailangan mo ng matinding
pag-iingat dahil sa nangyari ngayon."
"Yes po, thank you," I said, and when she left, kaagad akong hinarap ni kuya.
"What was that, Rylee Addison?" Ang mariing boses niya ay kaagad na sumabog sa loob
ng maliit na kwarto at napasinghap ako.
"Kuya..."
"Excuse me, Sir, Rylee. Labas po muna ako para makapag-usap kayo," ani Liam na
tumayo at ngumiti sa akin. Hindi siya pinansin ni kuya sa lalim ng kanyang tingin
sa akin kaya nahihiyang bumaling ako kay Liam at tumango, pinagmamasdan siyang
umalis.
"Rylee," my brother said impatiently. "Anong seven weeks? Your baby should be older
than that by now!"
"Kuya..." I sighed deeply and stared at him, ang mga mata'y may paamba na namang
luha sa takot at pagsisisi. "K-Kuya, I'm sorry...I wasn't pregnant at all before.
I-I lied."
Hindi siya nakapagsalita kaya suminghap ako at umiling-iling. "S-Sorry, Kuya.
P-patawarin mo ako," hikbi ko at pinisila ng kanyang kamay.
My brother was mad at me, I knew, but he became a brother to me despite that
disappointment and helped me, became what I needed right now.
"Ako na ang kukuha sa gamit mo, Rylee," ani kuya pagkarating namin sa parking lot
kung nasaan ang unit ni North.
"No, Kuya. Ako na po," I said.
"Sasamahan kita. Paano kung saktan ka n'ong lalaking 'yon, huh?"
Kita ko ang diin sa kanyang mga mata, pero umiling lang ako at pinisil ang kamay
niya.
"Kaya ko, Kuya. North will not hurt me, you know that. He's not that kind of
person. Kukunin ko lang po 'yong gamit ko tapos aalis na tayo."
"What if he asks you to stay?" he asked, his forehead creasing, and even though I
wanted it to happen, it was beyond impossible now.
After breaking his trust? After I deceived him? No amount of begging would make him
take me back. This was my karma after all the crazy things I did.
I'd accept everything and regret it 'til I died.
"He won't, it's impossible," I assured him and gave him a faint smile. "Mga
importanteng gamit ko lang po muna ang kukunin ko, I can just ask some people to
take the remaining things for me."
Kuya was hesitant at first but let me go afterwards. Medyo kinakabahan ako habang
papaakyat sa unit ni North pero sa isipang wala naman siya roon ay medyo guminhawa
ang pakiramdam.
I opened the unit and stepped inside, planning to go immediately to my room, when I
realized he was there on the sofa, sitting.
"Rylee..." he said when he saw me. His eyes looked like they wanted to tell me
something. Sumikip ang dibdib ko, muling naalala ang nakita kanina. Pati na rin ang
mga nagawa ko kaya ngumiti ako nang maliit sa kanya.
"Sorry kung nakita mo pa ako rito," mahinang sabi ko. "Uh, kunin ko lang
'yong mga gamit ko para makaalis na."
His mouth parted. Nagiging emosyonal na naman ako kaya kinuyom ko ang kamay at
tuluyan nang nag-iwas ng tingin, walang pasabing umakyat na sa kwarto para kunin
ang mga gamit ko.
My chest felt so damn heavy as I took my luggage and opened it. Nanginginig ang
kamay at naiiyak ako habang kinukuha ang mga importanteng dokumento at iilang
damit.
It took me almost half an hour to get what was necessary and I looked around the
room. The happy memories came rushing back to me but they immediately disappeared
when I realized it was all my fault.
If only I didn't lie...if only I didn't deceive him.
Tinuyo ko ang mga luha, at hila-hila ang isang maleta ay lumabas ako ng kwarto,
nagitla pa nang makita siya sa labas nito.
"You're leaving?" he asked, his eyes fixed on my baggage.
My grip on it tightened. Kinagat ko ang labi ko at tumango-tango, mas bumibigat ang

pakiramdam habang nag-iipon ng lakas para makasagot.
"Oo..." I nodded, staring at his eyes. I saw something I couldn't name in them.
Hindi siya nakapagsalita, nakita ko pa ang pagkunot ng noo niya kaya humugot ako ng
hininga.
"'Yong mga importante lang muna 'yong kinuha ko, s-sorry, ah? Don't...don't worry."
Umiling ako. "You won't see me again, papakuha ko na lang 'yong ibang natira dito."
"Where...are you going?" he asked, and I shook my head and smiled faintly.
"I don't know, anywhere?" I chuckled a bit. "Sasama na lang muna ako siguro kay
kuya, you know...freshen up and reflect on the wrong things I did."
Hindi siya umimik doon. Nakita ko ang pagkunot ng noo niya kaya marahan akong
umabante palapit sa kanya.
"I'm sorry, North." When I said those words, my voice broke. "I know what I did was
wrong and I'm sorry..." bulong ko. "I shouldn't have done it. I know my apology
won't give back the freedom I took from you but still...I apologize."
Saglit kong binitawan ang maleta ko, lumapit sa kanya na nakatitig lang sa akin at
unti-unti, inangat ko ang braso at yumakap sa kanya.
He didn't move. I was expecting him to push me away, but he didn't and it made me
cry harder. I hugged him tight, feeling his warmth and memorizing his scent—knowing
it was the last time I'd ever be this close to him.
"S-Sorry for everything, North," bulong ko at unti-unting humawak sa kanyang

pisngi. "Mali ako, may kasalanan ako. Sorry k-kasi pinipilit ko ang sarili ko sa
'yo. I-I don't know if you'll ever believe me or not but...I sincerely know I was
wrong and I'll reflect on it. I'm sorry." I closed my eyes and put my forehead
against his. "You probably won't forgive me, but I hope someday...someday, you do."
Nahulog ang panibagong mga luha sa pisngi at pinigilan ko ang sariling muling
magmakaawa na kunin na lang niya ako pabalik. Kaya umatras ako at hinawi ang mga
luha.
"I love you, North. Despite the lies and deceit, what I showed you was true.
I love you...so, so much. I'm sorry again, p-promise...promise, hindi na kita

guguluhin pa."
Sobbing, I took my baggage and didn't look back at him as I left his
unit...accepting that this heated deception I started ended up burning and hurting
me. The chances of my happily-ever-after blew up in just mere ashes and dust.
Halos ayaw ko pang umalis sa airport nang tawagin ang flight namin ng kapatid ko
kakaiyak, at nand'yan lang siya, niyayakap ako at sinasabing sasamahan niya ako sa
lahat-lahat ng pinagdadaanan ko.
We flew to the States. I accepted my family's disappointment—I confessed about what

I did on the phone, telling them I deceived and framed North about my fake
pregnancy just so I could keep him.
My brother was by my side and he helped me start a new life there—a career I
thought I couldn't have anymore.
I hid my pregnancy from everyone, even from my family and closest friends, and
lived a simple life outside the country during my pregnancy for my peace of mind.
It was tough. My pregnancy was so hard that I always woke up crying—but I accepted
it. The pain I felt might be my karma for all the bad things I did, but it was all
worth it. Lalo na nang marinig ko ang iyak niya at masilayan ang mukha ng anak ko
noong araw na isinilang ko siya.
"Congratulations, Ms. Sandoval! It's a healthy baby boy!"
My eyes swelled when the doctor announced it, at ang anak ko'y unti-unting inilapag
sa aking dibdib, dahilan para mahulog muli ang masasayang mga luha sa mata ko.
"O-Oh...my baby," I cooed and moved my hand in front of his face. I cried harder
when he gripped it, his chubby cheeks blushing.
"Do you have a name for the baby, Ma'am?" the nurse asked, and I glanced at my
baby. Smiling, I nodded.
"North Stefan," I told her with tears in my eyes.
www.wattpad.com
31 - 39 minutes
Chapter 22
"Baby North ko!" I called him in a singsong voice.

Mula sa paglalaro ay napalingon sa akin ang anak ko. He just stared at me, mukhang
pinag-iisipan pa kung lalapit o hindi. I grinned widely and stretched out both of
my arms. I saw his face light up before he crawled his way towards me.
Mabilis ko siyang kinarga nang makalapit sa akin at pinugpog ng halik ang mukha
niya.
I just couldn't help it! He wa just too cute and I couldn't resist his cuteness!
Kaya kahit sa tahimik na paglalaro niya kanina sa mga laruan ay inistorbo ko pa
para lang lumapit siya sa akin at panggigilan ko.
His cheeks were so chubby! Ang sarap halik-halikan! Ang bango-bango pa. At kahit
pinaggigigilan ko na siya ng halik, hindi naman nagrereklamo ang anak ko.
I heard him giggle a bit as I playfully bit his cheeks using my lips.
Nakiliti yata. Napangiti naman ako at tinitigan siya sa muka.
Ah...he looked exactly like his father. 'Yong mga mata, ilong, at mga labi
niya...kuhang-kuha niya kay North...
"Wow...what a huge mess."
Napalingon kaagad ako sa pinanggalingan ng boses na 'yon at nakita ko si Kuya Zoren

na nakatayo sa may bungad ng pinto. He was wearing a white v-neck shirt over a
black blazer and black pants. Sa isang kamay ay hawak niya ang handle ng luggage na
nasa tabi niya. He removed his shades and I couldn't help but beam at him.
"Kuya! You're here!" I cheerfully greeted. Itinuro ko ang plushie na malapit sa
kanya. "Pakipulot naman niyan."
"Gano'n lang talaga? Pakipulot agad ang sasalubong mo sa 'kin? Wala man lang
'I missed you, Kuya?'" Natawa ako dahil pinaarte niya pa talaga ang boses, like he
was imitating me.
He said all of those pero pinulot niya naman ang sinasabi ko at isinara ang pinto.
He walked further in and sat on the one-seater sofa just across me.
Nasa living room kami ng anak ko at nakaupo sa rubber mat na inilatag ko sa sahig.
Stefan was busy playing with his toys, at minsan ay nilalaro ko rin pero madalas ay
pinapanood ko lang siya.
Time flew so fast. He was six months old now. Before, I would just hold him in my
arms all day long. Hindi ako nagsasawang titigan lang ang mukha niya, pero ngayon,
nakakaupo na siyang mag-isa at nag-aaral na ring maglakad.
"Hello, Stefan! Did you miss your uncle?" pagkausap ni Kuya Zoren kay Stefan na
tinitigan lang siya. Maya-maya ay bumalik din sa paglalaro at hindi na pinansin si
kuya.
I chuckled. Tumingin ako kay kuya na napakamot na lang sa gilid ng kilay niya.
"You didn't tell me that you were coming," I said.

He shrugged at sumandal siya sa inuupuan niya.
"I knew I was going to visit you again soon. I just didn't know it would be today,"
sabi niya na ikinasimangot ko. "The house is a mess, Rylee! Stefan's toys are
everywhere!" he said as he looked around the house. Disapproval was in his eyes.
"Hinahagis niya kasi kapag nagsasawa na siyang laruin," depensa ko.
"Liligpitin ko rin naman 'yan."
Kuya Zoren sighed. Hinubad niya ang blazer na suot at isinabit iyon sa armrest ng
sofang inuupuan niya. Then he stood up and started picking up my son's toys one by
one.
"You should keep it if he's not playing with it anymore," he said as he picked up
the toys.
Stefan made a sound of protest. Napatingin si kuya sa kanya na napatigil sa

pagliligpit. I looked at my brother.
"That's the reason why I don't keep them away yet," I said, proving a point.
Napatingin si kuya sa mga laruang hawak niyang pinulot na niya. Ibinalik niya iyon
sa lapag at muling umupo na lang. Natawa na lang ako at pinanood na lang ulit ang
anak ko sa paglalaro.
"He's stubborn, huh? Just like someone I know..." he said.
Natahimik ako. Alam ko kung sino ang tinutukoy niya—North Stefan's father.
Namana rin niya ang stubbornness sa ama.
Just the thought of him made my heart ache.
"I saw him last time," Kuya Zoren said.
Natigilan ako pero tumikhim.
"Oh?" I tried to sound uninterested.
"He asked about you."
I didn't say anything and remained silent. Kahit pa ang dami-dami kong gustong
itanong kay kuya tungkol doon.
Why was he asking about me? What did he say? Was North okay? Was he doing well? Was
he still mad at me?
Did he know about our son?
"Nangangamusta lang 'yon," I said instead, trying to sound casual this time.
Hindi pa rin ako tumitingin sa kanya. Baka makahalata kasi na nagpapanggap lang
ako.
"I told him you're doing well here. Busy with your career and entertaining
suitors."
Natigilan ako at tumingin na kay Kuya. I frowned at him. "What suitors? I don't
have any suitors!" I protested.
Tumaas ang kilay niya at tiningnan ako nang hindi naniniwala. "Anong tawag mo kay
Liam?" he challenged me.
"He's not—" I exhaled harshly. "We're just friends. And when did you start calling
him by his name? First name basis na kayo?"
"Since he started taking care of you."
Naihilamos ko ang palad ko sa mukha sa sobrang stress sa mga sinasabi ni kuya.
"He's not taking care of me. Kapag may shoot siya rito sa States, dito lang siya
tumutuloy, okay?"
"Hmm...ang dalas naman ng shoots niya dito?" Kuya Zoren grinned at me. His smile
told me that he was teasing me.
I rolled my eyes.
"And anong career?" tanong ko nang maalala pa ang sinabi niya kanina. "I just did a
shoot once—"
"With Liam," putol ni kuya sa sasabihin ko.
"Yeah...with him. But it doesn't mean na babalik na 'ko sa modeling. Bata pa ang
anak ko, Kuya. I want to take care of him."
When Stefan was four months old, I was invited to do a shoot with Liam with my
agency. Dahil malapit lang ang location at alam kong sandali lang, pumayag na ako.
Adrian and Andrea assisted me with my look. Sila na rin ang naiwang mag-alaga sa
anak ko habang nasa shoot ako.
Hindi lang iyon ang naging shoot ni Liam na malapit sa place ko dito sa States at
ilang beses ulit akong naimbitihan pa, but I declined. Masyado pang bata si Stefan
para bumalik ulit ako sa modeling. Ayoko namang ipaalaga siya tuwing may shoot ako.
"I get it..." Kuya Zoren said. "Gusto ko rin naman magpahinga ka muna. It hasn't
been a year since you gave birth. Baka mabinat ka pa. Pero siyempre...people don't
know about it."
"Well..."
"And you know what? Because of that one shoot you did, rumors got around."
"What? What rumors?" I asked.
Kuya Zoren grinned at me.
"That you and Liam are dating! Kaya rin daw madalas na nandito si Liam."
I rolled my eyes. "Paparazzi."
Kuya Zoren chuckled. Tumayo siya at kinuha ang blazer na nakasabit sa upuan niya.
He took his luggage and looked at me.
"Well...I still have jetlag. Magpapahinga na muna 'ko," he said. "Is my room
ready?"
"Oh! About that—"
"Rylee? Sorry kung natagalan. They didn't have that powder you use for Stefan so I
had to look for another store."
Hindi ko na naituloy ang sasabihin ko nang pumasok si Liam sa bahay. He was busy
balancing the things he bought in his arms kaya siguro hindi pa napapansin si Kuya
Zoren na nakatayo at maang na nakatingin sa kanya.
"Did you wait— oh!" Liam exclaimed when he finally noticed my brother.
"Zoren...I didn't know you'd be coming today."
"I didn't know you were here," gulat na sabi ni kuya at napatingin sa akin.
"You made him buy things for you?"
I shrugged. "He insisted."
"It's okay..." Liam said as he walked towards the dining table. Inilapag niya doon
ang pinamili niya. "Kulang pa nga 'to para sa libreng stay ko rito."
"You're staying here? Again?" gulat na sabi ni Kuya Zoren.
"He's using your room," I said, and my brother looked at me with wide eyes.
"Doon ka muna sa guest room, Kuya," ani ko bago ngumiti ng maliit sa kanya.
"What?" he exclaimed, namimilog pa ang mata.
"Oh...that's his room?" Liam asked. "Ako na lang ang lilipat sa guest room."
"See?" Tinuro pa ni kuya si Liam. Halatang sumasang-ayon sa sinabi ng kaibigan ko.
"It'll be too much of a hassle if he moves his things when he already settled in.
No'ng isang araw pa nandito si Liam, Kuya."
"But that's my room!" he whined like a kid, still shocked.
"Wala ka namang mga gamit do'n. Hindi ko nga alam na room mo pala 'yon. I thought
it was a guest room too."
"May I remind you that it was me who bought this house for you?!" sabi ni kuya na
mukhang hindi makapaniwala sa mga sinasabi ko.
"Thank you for that," I answered with a cute grin.
I was really thankful for what he did. Si kuya, Liam, Andrea, and Adrian lang kasi
ang nakakaalam ng pagbubuntis ko. I didn't want my family to know about this. Alam
ko kung anong gagawin nila. Ipipilit nila na panagutan ako ni North.
If it were the old me, I'd probably be grateful and happy—but it wasn't the case
now. I already troubled him so much because of what I did in the past.
Ayoko na rin siyang makulong sa pagsasamang hindi niya naman gusto. I was ashamed
of what I did to him. I still was. Kaya ayoko na rin sana pang ipaalam sa kanya ang
tungkol dito. He deserved to be free.
And me...if I had to raise Stefan alone then I will do so happily.
Kuya Zoren bought this house for my son and I so we could have our own place here
in the States. Sinabi kong kahit condo unit na lang sana ay ayos lang.
But he wanted me to be comfortable.
Paminsan-minsan ay binibisita niya rin ako, telling me stories about our parents.
Ilang beses na rin kasing gustong bumisita nina mommy at daddy rito sa akin pero
tumatanggi ako. I couldn't risk them seeing Stefan, kaya tinutulungan ako ni kuya
sa pagtatago sa kanya. He was visiting me instead of them para makampante ang mga
magulang namin na ayos lang ako.
Adrian and Andrea visited at times too, telling me stories. I was thankful for them
dahil hindi ako masyadong nalulungkot lalo na kapag bumibisita sila.
Marami kaming napagkukwentuhan.
And there was Liam. Dahil madalas ang shoot niya rito ay rito rin siya sa bahay
tumutuloy. I was grateful for that. Nababawasan ang homesickness ko.
Kung minsan nga ay mas madalas pang nandito si Liam kaysa kay Kuya Zoren.
"I can't believe this!" hindi makapaniwalang sabi ni kuya.

"It's okay, Rylee," sabi ni Liam kaya napatingin ako sa kanya. He smiled at me.
"I'll just move my things. Hindi ko alam na kwarto pala 'yon ni Zoren."
"Hindi ko rin alam," I said.
"No, it's okay," ani kuya bago pa makakilos si Liam. "I'll stay in the guest room
for now. Pero sa susunod na magpunta ka rito, yung guest room na ang gagamitin mo."
I just rolled my eyes and watched my son again. He was looking at Kuya Zoren,
probably curious since my brother looked pissed, making me smile a little.
Dahil na rin siguro sa pagod at jetlag kaya ganyan iyan.
Nang magsawang maglaro ang anak ko, inalis ko na ang mga laruan na nakakalat sa
sahig. Liam took care of him for a while as I prepared dinner. Si Kuya Zoren naman
ay nagpapahinga sa kwarto pero nagising rin naman nang maghapunan na kami.
Sina Liam at Kuya Zoren na rin ang nag-asikaso ng mga pinagkainan namin habang
inaasikaso ko naman ang anak ko so he could go to sleep. Nagpaalam na rin si Liam
na magpapahinga na pagkatapos. Nang makatulog si Stefan, sinamahan ko si kuya sa
sala na mukhang hindi pa matutulog dahil nagpahinga na kanina. He was holding a can
of beer in his hands.
I sat beside him on the long couch. Tahimik lang kami. Kapag ganitong mga
pagkakataon, hindi ko maiwasan na maalala noong nasa Pilipinas pa ako. Kuya Zoren
always made me comfortable.
"How's mom and dad?" I asked.
Napalingon sa akin si kuya. Uminom muna siya sa beer-in-can niya bago ako sinagot.
"Thought you'd never ask," he said, which made me rolled my eyes. "They're fine.
Palagi kang kinakumusta. Nagpupumilit ngang sumama sa 'kin ngayon."
I took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. I felt a pang in my chest. I missed them.
It had been over a year since I last saw them in person.
Hindi ako pumapayag kapag magkatawagan kami at pinipilit nilang bisitahin ako. I
never gave them my address. Natatakot ako na baka malaman nila ang tungkol sa anak
ko kapag bumisita sila dito. Punong-puno kasi ang bahay ng mga bakas ng anak ko.
His toys, his pictures...everything. Baka kapag tinago ko yion, may makaligtaan ako
at makita pa nina mommy.
Lalo na noong ipinagbubuntis ko si Stefan. I was careful not to show them my belly
whenever we were video-calling.
Si kuya at Liam ang nag-alaga sa akin noon. Sina Adrian at Andrea rin, lalo na
noong malapit na akong manganak. That was why I was always thankful to them.
Thankful that I had people like them in my life.
"Alam mo naman kung bakit hindi pwede, Kuya," I said.
"Yeah...dahil baka makita nila si Stefan," he said. "So what? Wala ka nang planong
magpakita sa kanila dahil do'n?"
I stared at him. Hindi ko alam ang isasagot ko. I really missed my parents—
their warm hugs or just any moment with them. Pero ayokong malaman nila ang tungkol
kay Stefan dahil alam ko kung anong gagawin nila lalo na kapag nalaman nila kung
sino ang ama niya.
"Are they still mad at me?" I asked instead.
Kuya Zoren sighed. Ibinaba niya ang beer-in-can na hawak sa coffee table na nasa
harapan naming. Tumagilid siya ng upo para mas maharap ako.
"Rylee...they weren't mad at you. Disappointed, yes. But never mad..."
"That's even worse, Kuya." My voice croaked.
"You can't blame them. There are times when parents will get disappointed with
their child. Pero hindi pa rin naman nawawala ang pagmamahal nila para sa mga anak
nila. Their love is much stronger than their disappointment. Isa pa, pwede namang
bumawi, 'di ba?"
Tears pooled at the corner of my eyes. Hindi ko lang talaga mapigilan ang umiyak
kapag magulang ko na ang pinag-uusapan. I just loved them so much and I was ashamed
of what I did. Sila ang sumalo ng kahihiyan dahil sa ginawa ko.
"Our parents really miss you, Ry..."
"I miss them too, Kuya..." Hindi ko na napigilan ang panginginig ng boses ko.
Kuya Zoren smiled at me. He reached for my head and ruffled my hair, pagkatapos ay
muli niyang kinuha ang nilapag niyang beer-in-can at uminom doon.
"That's the reason why I'm here, actually. Malapit na ang birthday ni dad and he
was hoping that you can come home to attend the party."
"I can't—"
"Nagtatampo na sila, Rylee. You already missed their birthdays last year. You know
how occasions like these are to them."
"What about Stefan?" I asked. "Baka may makakita pa sa kanya."
"Let your friends take care of him first," tukoy niya kina Adrian at Andrea.
"They'll take care of him while you're at the party or at the house to visit our
parents. Hindi ka rin naman magtatagal sa Pilipinas. You only have to stay for two
or three days."
"Nakakahiya! May mga trabaho 'yon!"
"I already talked to them," he said and it surprised me. "Mom told me na huwag daw
akong uuwi nang hindi ka pumapayag so I planned ahead. Ginawan ko ng paraan ang mga
alalahanin mo."
I stared at him. This was too sudden! Parang ang dali-dali lang ng mga sinasabi
niya na para bang nagyaya lang siya na bumili ng yelo sa kabilang kanto!
"Kuya—"
"Rylee, please...ngayon lang naman," he said. "You won't be staying in the

Philippines for long. Kapag hindi ka pa pumayag, I'm worried that they'd do
everything to find out your address and be the ones who will visit you here.
And it's dad's birthday. Hindi mo ba talaga siya mapagbibigyan?"
I didn't say anything. Gusto ko rin naman silang makita. And I felt so bad when I
couldn't attend their birthdays last year because I was pregnant.
Hindi ako pwedeng magpakita sila na ganoon ang kondisyon ko.
But now...Stefan was already six months old. Hindi rin naman siya mahirap alagaan
at kilala niya na rin sina Adrian at Andrea.
"Are there any reporters?" I asked.
Kuya Zoren shook his head.
"No. It's a private party. Only the family and friends ang invited."
I pursed my lips. "What about..."
Hindi ko na naituloy pa ang itatanong ko pa sana. Pero base sa tingin ni kuya sa

akin, alam kong alam na niya kung anong itatanong ko.
He took a deep breath and sighed.
"It's a family party, Rylee...expect that the Alvarados are invited."

Mas lalo akong natahimik sa sinabi ni kuya. Thinking that I was going to see North
again after a year scared the hell out of me. Ang dami-daming tanong ang kaagad na
pumasok sa isip ko.
How was he? Galit pa rin kaya siya sa akin? How would I be able to face him if he
was still angry at me?
"Ry..." Kuya put an arm on my shoulders. "Our family's friends with them kaya hindi
mo siya maiiwasan. You won't have to talk to him. Just attend the party for our
parents...for fad's birthday wish."
Tinitigan ko lang si kuya at hindi nagsalita. Pinag-iisipan ko pa rin kung pupunta

ba ako o hindi.
"If it helps, you can bring Liam."
Agad na nagliwanag ang mukha ko dahil doon. "Really? I can bring him?"
"Yes, our parents want to meet him. I guess they're curious about him because of
the rumors."
Napasimangot tuloy ako. Iniisip ko pa lang kung anong mga itatanong nila kay Liam,
parang ayaw ko na lang siyang isama sa party.
Kuya Zoren chuckled at my reaction. "Go with him to the party, Ry."
"Talagang pumayag na sina Adrian at Andrea na alagaan si Stefan habang wala ako?" I
asked.
He nodded. "Yes. They're excited about it. I told you, I already talked to them."
I sighed.
"So?" Kuya Zoren asked, waiting for my answer.
I stared at him for a moment before I took a deep breath. I made up my mind, but I
didn't know if my decision would do good—or not.
"Alright...I'll be there."
Time flew so fast. I wasn't even ready when that day came and here I was—
talking to my friends about my son now that I was going to my dad's private party.
"Are you guys sure that it's really okay?" I asked Adrian and Andrea as I fixed
myself.
This wasn't the first time that they'd take care of him while I was gone.
Sila rin ang nag-alaga kay Stefan noong isang beses na magka-shoot ulit ako sa
America. They did a good job taking care of my son, but I was still worried. Isa
pa, nahihiya rin naman ako sa kanila.
Liam and I got back to the Philippines last night. Nang malaman niyang uuwi ako ay
nanatili pa siya ng ilang araw sa bahay at sasabay na lang daw sa akin pag-uwi. He
also agreed to go with me today to the party.
I stayed at the condo unit my brother provided for me. I didn't choose to stay at
my old unit. Alam nina mommy kung saan iyon,at baka pumunta pa nang walang pasabi
at makita nila ang anak ko. Lalo pa at gabi na ako nakauwi kaya hindi ko na sila
nabisita. Sinabi ko na lang na magkikita rin naman kami sa party.
"Pang-ilang beses mo nang tinatanong 'yan," sabi ni Andrea habang karga si Stefan
at marahang isinasayaw para malibang. "Okay nga lang sabi. Just enjoy yourself at
your dad's party."
I chuckled nervously. "I doubt it."

"Rylee..." tawag ni Adrian sa akin. Marahan niya akong hinawakan sa braso at
pinaupo sa harap ng vanity. "Aalagaan naming mabuti ang anak mo, so you don't have
to worry about it."
I looked up to him and pouted my lips. "Still...nakakahiya pa rin."
"Hay naku!" Andrea sounded like she had enough. "Ayos nga lang! Na-miss ko rin
naman 'tong inaanak ko kaya okay na okay sa 'kin alagaan si Stefan!
Magpaganda ka na lang d'yan!"
I chuckled and looked at the mirror. I stared at my reflection. I was already

wearing my dress—a gold sheath tube gown that emphasized my curves. Inilugay ko
lang ang buhok kong hanggang dibdib and I just put a gold pin on it. I was also
wearing light makeup. Hindi na ako masyadong nag-ayos unlike before na iniaabot ako
ng kalahating araw sa pag-aayos kapag ganitong may mga party na dinadaluhan.
"She's gorgeous already, Andrea," sabi ni Adrian na nakatitig rin sa akin sa

salamin. I smiled at him.
"Kaya nga, e! Hindi halatang may anak na. Mas lalo pa ngang gumanda no'ng naging
nanay na."
I laughed at her statement. "Jeez...hindi na nga ko masyadong nag-ayos ngayon.

Pa'no pa kaya 'pag nag-effort pa ko, 'di ba?" I joked.
"Kung hindi ka lang nakaayos ngayon, kanina pa kita sinabunutan," Andrea said.
Natawa na lang kaming lahat sa biro niya.
I took a deep breath and looked at my reflection again. Napansin ko rin naman ang
ibang pagbabago sa akin sa nakalipas na isang taon. The changes were somehow
overwhelming. I looked like a woman now. Back then, I was just a girl—a girl
chasing the man that she loved who didn't care about anything else. A girl who
would do anything so the man she loved would love her back.
So they would end up together.

That girl was a woman now. Wala na ang pagiging inosente sa mukha niya.
I guess what happened changed me, huh? Ang gusto ko na lang ay ang ikabubuti ng
anak ko.
"Pupunta ba siya?" asked Adrian after a while.
I looked at his reflection in the mirror. Kahit hindi niya banggitin kung sino ang
tinutukoy niya, alam ko na naman iyon. Andrea, too. Nang tiningnan ko siya ay
nakita kong nag-aabang siya sa magiging sagot ko.
I looked at Adrian again.
"I'm not sure..." I said casually. "But it's possible. He's a family friend.
Hindi lang naman siya nakakadalo if he's away with business meetings."
"What's your plan?"
I frowned at Andrea. "What plan?" I asked.
"Kapag nakita mo siya," she answered.
"I haven't really given much thought about it." I shrugged. "Greet him, maybe?"
"Hindi mo ba sasabihin sa kanya ang tungkol sa anak n'yo?"
What she asked me made my heart thump, pero umiling ako.
"No," mabilis kong sagot sa tanong ni Andrea. "He won't believe me anyway. He might
think that I'm just trying to win him back."
"Maniniwala siya kapag pinakita mo si Stefan sa kanya. The son looks exactly like
his father!"
"I said no, Andrea," I said firmly. "Remember when I told him I was pregnant?
He didn't believe me..."
"Kasi nalaman niya noong nagsisinungaling ka lang, Ry," Adrian explained.
"Malay mo ngayon ay makinig na sa 'yo? Isa pa'y baka magkalinawan kayo?"
"No, Ad. Our parents will try to force us to get married. Ayokong makulong si North
sa pagsasamang hindi niya gusto," mahinang sagot ko.
"He might fall in love with you this time—"
"No." I smiled at her. "North said it before. He won't ever fall in love with
someone like me." I couldn't help but say that bitterly sad.
Andrea looked sad. I even saw the pity in her eyes. Nag-iwas ako ng tingin para
hindi ko makita iyon.
I must've looked so pathetic back then—telling lies just so North would love me.
Pero wala man lang nangyari. I guess we weren't really meant for each other, huh?
I was done forcing myself on him. He deserved to be free. To love someone he loved.
"Paano si Stefan?" Andrea asked after a while. "Paano kapag naghanap siya ng ama?"
Hindi kaagad ako nakasagot sa tanong niya. I don't know what to do when that time
comes. Iniisip ko pa lang, nasasaktan na agad ako.
"Do you still love him, Rylee?" asked Adrian.
I looked at Adrian's reflection in the mirror. Hindi ako nakuntento kaya lumingon
na ako sa kanya. Andrea was waiting for my answer roo.
I flashed them a sad smile. "Hindi naman na yata mawawala 'yon, Adrian..."
It was true. Kahit na mahigit isang taon ko nang hindi nakita si North, alam kong
mahal ko pa rin siya. I was hoping that I would actually move on from him. That my
feelings would fade if I didn't see him, because all my life, I was always chasing
him. Gumagawa pa talaga ako ng paraan para makita siya.
But even after a year had passed, I was still in love with North.
Nevertheless, unlike before, I wouldn't do anything now that would bother him. I
will just love him silently. Isa pa, binigyan niya naman ako ng regalo. Isang
napakagandang regalo.
The doorbell rang. Lahat kami ay napatingin doon. I was about to stand up to open
the door, but Adrian put a hand on my shoulders, keeping me from standing up.
He smiled at me. "Ako na," he said and walked towards the door.
Nanatili lang ulit akong nakaupo sa harap ng vanity. I checked my look again.
Because my gown was a tube style, my shoulders were exposed. Inilagay ko sa harap
ang parte ng buhok ko para hindi naman masyadong exposes.
"Ibinalik mo sa dati, Ry," sabi sa 'kin ni Andrea nang makita ang ginawa ko.
"Mas maganda kapag nasa likod lahat ang buhok mo."
I looked at my reflection again. Tama naman siya. Mas okay yung kanina.
Mukhang ang awkward pa kapag nilagay ko sa harap ang buhok ko kaya ibinalik ko na
lang sa likod.
"Your date is here," Adrian announced when he got back.

Dahil nakabukas naman ang pinto ng kwarto ko, nakita ko agad si Liam bago pa siya
nakapasok. He stood by the doorway, looking so dashing in his three-piece black
suit. He was wearing a gold tie that matched the color of my dress. His hair was
brushed up kaya kitang-kita tuloy ang kagwapuhan niya.
I stood up. Malaki ang ngiti ko habang humahakbang palapit sa kanya. He was smiling
widely back at me.
"Hey, gorgeous," he greeted when I neared him. I chuckled.
"Hey, handsome."
"My goodness!" Andrea exclaimed kaya napatingin kami sa kanya. "I'm pro-North—no
offense, Liam."
"None taken." Liam was smiling when he said that.
"But you guys just look so good together!" she exclaimed.
"Thanks, Drea," I said.
"Here." Adrian handed me my purse. "Enjoy kayo sa party."
"Guys, kayo na munang bahala kay Stefan, huh?" I said as we walked through the
door.
"Yes, Ry, don't worry," Andrea said.
"'Yong mga bilin ko. Kapag umiyak, check his—"
"Diaper. Yes, Rylee. Ilang beses mo nang sinabi 'yan," she said.
I smiled at her.
"We're going na." I looked at my son and kissed him on the cheeks. "Bye,
baby...mommy will come home soon, okay?"
"Just enjoy yourself, Rylee," sabi ni Adrian. "Take your time."
"Bye-bye, Mommy." Si Andrea na pinaliit pa ang boses habang ikinakaway ang kamay ni
Stefan sa akin. I smiled one last time before I closed the door.
"You look gorgeous," Liam said as he pushed the button of the elevator.
Hinintay naming iyon.
I looked at him. "Sinabi mo na 'yan."
He frowned. "Did I? Well... I just wanted to say it to you again."
I smiled. "Thank you."
Liam drove the way to the house. My parents decided na sa malaking garden na lang
ganapin ang birthday party ni daddy since exclusive din naman iyon for family and
friends. Para na rin daw hindi masyadong matakaw sa mata ng media.
Isa rin iyon sa dahilan kung bakit pumayag ako. The last time that I attended a
party like this, I announced my fake pregnancy. Nagkagulo pa noon. I didn't want
that to happen again.
I guessed I'd attend family parties again if it was private, like this one.
Habang nasa daan ay hindi ko maiwasan ang kabahan. Thinking that I might see North
again after more than a year made me nervous. He was the only one who could make me
feel like this. Siya lang naman ay may ganitong epekto sa akin.
I took a deep breath and exhaled slowly to calm myself. I tried to distract myself
by looking out the car's window. Isang taon rin akong hindi nakauwi pero wala naman
masyadong nagbago sa daan.
"Are you okay?" Liam asked, probably sensing my nervousness.
I looked at him. He glanced at me, worry in his eyes, before he looked at the road
again.
"I guess I'm nervous." Hindi ko na sinubukang itago sa kanya. After all, he knew
everything.
"Because of him?"
Matagal bago ako nakasagot.
"That...and also because this is the first time I'm facing my family and his family
again after what happened."
Kuya Zoren said that our parents weren't mad at me, pero nandoon pa rin ang takot
at kaba para sa akin. Sila kasi ang humarap sa kahihiyan dahil sa ginawa ko. I
didn't know what they said to the others, but I was sure that they told North's
parents the truth.
Kinakabahan akong harapan silang lahat.
Liam reached for my hand that was on my lap. He held it and squeezed it lightly,
giving me comfort.
"I'm just here, okay? Hindi ako mawawala sa tabi sa buong gabi ng party," he said,
and that calmed me down.
"Thank you, Liam...kung wala ka, malamang hindi na ako nakaalis sa condo sa sobrang
kaba."
He grinned at me. "Glad I could be of help."
"You've been a huge help to me and Stefan, Liam...I'm always thankful for that."
He glanced at me and gave me a reassuring smile before he looked at the road again.
The night lights illuminated his face.
Liam parked the car in front of our house. Based on how many cars were already
parked outside, alam kong maraming tao na ang nasa loob. Bumalik na naman tuloy ang
kaba ko. Sana pala mas inagahan namin para hindi kami masyadong makaagaw ng
atensyon.
Gosh, Rylee...parang hindi ka model, ah? Ngayon ka pa talaga kinabahan, e kilala mo

halos lahat ng mga dadalo ngayon!
"Ready?" Liam asked. Halata na siguro ang kaba sa mukha ko kaya niya tinanong iyon.
I looked at him. Tiningnan ko ulit ang bahay namin na halatang maraming tao na ang
nasa loob.
I took a deep breath and sighed. Then I looked at Liam with a smile on my lips.
"Yeah..."
He smiled before he opened the door to his side. I was trying so hard not to stop
him from getting off the car and tell him that we should go back.
I succeeded. Nakababa si Liam. Pinanood ko siyang umikot sa side ko at pagbuksan

ako ng pintuan.
I stepped out of the car. Humugot uli ako ng malalim na paghinga habang nakatitig
sa bahay namin na nasa harapan ko na. It felt like it had been so long since I was
home.
Liam offered his arm to me. Napatingin muna ako sa kanya. His eyes been telling me
everything will be okay. Ngumiti muna ako sa kanya bago isinukbit ang kamay ko sa
braso niya.
We walked our way towards the gate. Sa bawat paghakbang ay mas lumalala lang ang
kaba ko. Napapahigpit tuloy ang kapit ko sa braso ni Liam at alam kong nalulukot na
ang coat niya. Lalo na nang makarating na kami sa garden at nakitang maraming tao
na nga ang nandoon.
Liam tapped my hand with his free hand as he chuckled.
"Relax, Rylee. Just smile...like how you smile for the camera."
I did what he said. Ngumiti ako nang makita na may nakakapansin na sa amin. I
smiled like I didn't feel nervous at all. Madali lang gawin iyon para sa akin lalo
pa at sanay na akong ngumiti sa camera dahil sa mga photoshoots ko.
"Bagay na bagay talaga sina Mr. Alvarado at Dra. Santiago, 'no?" I heard some
people beside me say.
Pasimple akong tumingin sa kanila. I didn't know who they were but they were around
my age. Probably daughters of my dad's friends? I didn't know...mas interesado ako
sa pinag-uusapan nila. Alam na alam ko kung sino ang tinutukoy sila.
Great...the first thing I heard after more than a year of being away in this house.
"Yeah...I mean, nakita mo si Mr. Alvarado kanina? He looked so handsome, my gosh!"

tili noong isa. "Well, Dra. Santiago looked gorg din in her dress tonight."
Napatingin ako kay Liam. Alam kong naririnig niya rin ang pinag-uusapan nila.
He looked back at me. His eyes were serious, parang sinusubukang alamin kung anong
iniisip ko.
They were talking about North and Mia. Ibig sabihin...nandito sila?
Dahil sa naisip ay mas lalo akong kinabahan. Mas humigpit pa tuloy ang kapit ko sa
braso ni Liam.
Gosh...I didn't know what to say if I met him again. Should I greet him? What if he
ignored me? He was mad at me, right?
"Rylee!"
Napatingin ako sa tumawag sa akin at nakahinga nang maluwag nang makita na si Kuya
Zoren iyon. He was walking towards me. Napansin ko pa ang mga humahangang tingin sa
kanya ng ilang babaeng nadadaanan niya. Well, my brother looked good in his deep
green suit too.
"Liam," kuya greeted Liam beside me before he looked at me. "Kanina pa kita
hinihintay. Mom and dad were worried you were going to bail tonight!"
I rolled my eyes. "What a greeting, Kuya," I sarcastically said. "Well, I'm here."
"Let's go. Kanina ka pa rin hinihintay nina mom and dad."
He pointed at the long table and we walked there. Sinasabayan ako ni kuya sa
paglalakad.
"Akala ko talaga hindi ka na pupunta," he said.
"Knowing you, you'd drag me here kahit nakapambahay pa 'ko. I figured I should doll
myself up since wala naman akong choice."
Napatawa si kuya sa sinabi ko bago binalingan si Liam na nasa kabilang gilid ko

lang. "Salamat sa pagsama dito sa kapatid ko."
"No worries. I had nothing to do tonight anyway," Liam said.
Kuya nodded his head as an acknowledgement. Dahil nakatingin ako sa kanya ay nakita
kong napatingin siya sa isang parte ng garden namin. He stopped walking. His face
lit up at whatever he was looking at right now.
Napatigil din ako sa paglalakad habang nakatingin kay kuya. He smiled. I was
surprised when he spoke.
"North, pare! You're here," he greeted, and my whole body tensed up just hearing
that name.
www.wattpad.com
17 - 21 minutes
Chapter 23
I didn't know how to react. I was just standing there, frozen. Hindi ako makagalaw
at nakatingin lang ako kay kuya na ngiting-ngiti habang nakatingin sa taong tinawag
niya. I was too afraid to turn around and see his face.
Mahigpit na ang hawak ko sa coat ni Liam. Alam kong lukot na lukot na iyon but he
didn't care. Hindi niya tinanggal ang pagkakakapit ko sa kanya, and I was thankful
for that. Pakiramdam ko kasi, kapag tinanggal niya iyon ay bibigay na ang mga tuhod
ko dahil sa kaba.
I knew that it was possible we'd meet again tonight. Sinabi na rin naman ni kuya na
possible ngang dumalo si North ngayon. Pero na-realize ko n hindi pa rin pala ako
handang makita at makausap siya.
"Zoren," I heard that voice from behind me call my brother. At kahit na hindi ko
tingnan ay kilalang-kilala ko kung sino iyon.
It was North...he was here.
"You look good, Zoren," a woman's voice said. I knew who it was as well.
It was Mia. They were together.
Hindi na rin naman ako magtataka doon. The last time I saw them together, they were
kissing. North even kissed her back. Siguro nga, tama ang sinabi ni kuya na si Mia
talaga ang gusto ni North noon. That North liked her.
Mia was right too...
"Thanks," Kuya Zoren said. "Oo nga, pala. Do you remember my sister, Rylee?
She's here."
"She's back?" Mia sounded surprised at that.
"Yeah..."
I silently cursed at my brother when I felt his hand on my arm, pinapaharap ako sa
mga taong kausap niya dahil nakatalikod pa rin ako.
Realizing I must've looked stupid with my back still facing them, I didn't have a
choice but to turn around. Saglit kong binitiwan si Liam para humarap na sa kanila.
My eyes immediately landed on the man who was already looking at me. He looked
surprised. Mukhang hindi niya talaga inaasahan na makikita ako ngayon.
My heart hammered as I stared back at him. Those black orbs...it had been more than
a year since I last saw them.
He looked so handsome in his black three-piece suit. 'Handsome' was even an

understatement. Mas lalo lang siyang gumwapo sa nakalipas na taong hindi kami
nagkita.
I realized that I missed him so much...
"Hi, North..." My voice came out as a whisper. I cleared my throat before I looked
at the woman beside him. "Hi, Mia. Long time no see to the both of you."
"Yeah..." Mia muttered. She looked surprised as well. "I didn't know you were going
to attend the party."
I smiled at her. Ramdam ko pa rin ang titig sa akin ni North pero sinusubukan kong
hindi maapektuhan doon. But it was so hard.
"Yeah...hiling kasi ni dad." I looked at Liam. Kumapit ulit ako sa braso niya. I
needed to do it for support 'cause I could feel my knees at the verge of giving up
any moment by now. "By the way, this is Liam. Liam, si North—
though I know you already know him. And this is Mia."
"Nice to meet you," pormal na sabi ni Liam na nakipagkamay sa dalawa.
"You're that model. Rylee's rumored boyfriend, right?" Mia asked.
Natawa si Liam at napasulyap pa sa kanya. "I guess I am."
"Let's continue this talk at the table," putol ni Kuya Zoren sa pag-uusap namin.
"Mom and dad are already waiting for Rylee. Kanina pa. Baka mas lalo lang 'yon
magtampo sa kapatid ko."
I nodded. Sinulyapan ko si North at nakita kong nakatingin siya sa kamay kong

nakahawak sa braso ni Liam. He looked up and our eyes met. I tried to smile at him
even though deep inside, I was nervous. North looked away and didn't return my
smile. Binalingan niya si Mia na nakakapit rin sa braso niya.
I took a deep breath and looked at Liam. He had a worried look on his face. I
smiled at him to assure him that I was fine.
Sumunod kami kay Kuya Zoren na papalapit sa mahabang table na nandoon sa unahan. I
saw that some of my relatives and family friends were already sitting there. Nakita
ko si daddy na nakaupo sa may pinakaunahan ng table, at sa kanan niya naman ay si
mommy. Hindi pa man kami nakakalapit ay nakita na nila kami. My mom smiled widely
the moment she saw me.
"Rylee!" she exclaimed. Lahat tuloy ng nasa table na iyon ay napatingin sa amin.
"Hi, Mom," I greeted her when I neared her. Tumayo siya at niyakap ako.
"Oh, my baby..."
I hugged her back. Mom's hug was so tight, pero hindi ako nagreklamo. I missed her.
I missed her warm hugs. I missed the comfort of my mother, of my parents. Mahigit
isang taon ko silang hindi nakita at nayakap.
She let go of me. Nakita ko na maluha-luha ang mga mata niya habang nakatingin sa
akin.
"I missed my baby so much," she said as she fixed my hair.
"I missed you too, Mom."
Tumingin ako kay daddy na nakatayo na sa gilid niya. I smiled at him.
"Dad," I said as I hugged him. "Happy birthday po."
"Thank you, anak," said dad as he hugged me back. "Akala namin hindi ka na naman
makakapunta."
Bumitiw ako sa yakap niya. I smiled at him apologetically. "I'm sorry I missed your
birthday last year, Dad."
"It's okay...at least you're here now."
I smiled widely at him. Nilingon ko si Liam na nakatayo sa likuran ko.
Humawak ako sa braso niya at hinila para ipakilala kina mommy.

"Mom, Dad...this is Liam po." I looked at Liam. "Liam, mommy and daddy ko."
"Nice to meet you, Sir, Ma'am," Liam said as he offered them his hand for a
handshake.
Natawa si mommy. "Oh, don't be so formal. Come here."
Mom stretched out her arms. Natawa na rin ako nang tumingin si Liam sa akin at
nakita ko ang pag-aalangan sa mga mata niya. I nodded at him to encourage him to
hug my mom.
May pag-aalangan pa ring ay Liam nang yakapin niya si mommy, but I was smiling so
widely. I really loved this side of her. She was so welcoming.
"Call me Tita Dinah, okay?" Mom said as she let go of Liam. "And call him Tito
Frank."
Liam let out an awkward chuckle. "I'll try po."
"Let's have a seat, shall we?" dad said, and we all did. The other visitor also sat
down.
Si dad ang nasa pinakapuno ng long table na 'yon. Mom was on his right, tumabi si
kuya sa kanya and I sat beside him. Tumabi naman sa akin si Liam.
Katapat ni mommy ang dad ni North na umupo sa kaliwa ni Dad. Beside him was his
wife. Katabi naman ni North ang mommy niya at si Mia.
So North was just across me. Hirap na hirap tuloy ako na huwag mapatingin sa harap
para hindi masalubong ang tingin niya. I didn't know why, I had a feeling that he
was staring at me.
"Shall we sing a happy birthday?" North's dad asked as the servers started serving
us food.
My dad grimaced. "Oh, please. No," he said. It was obvious that he really didn't
like that idea. "I'll pretend that this is just another party and not my birthday,
huwag n'yong ipaalala sa 'king tumatanda na ko."
We all laughed at that.
Ah...I'd missed this. I'd missed attending parties like this.
"What about your birthday wish?" Tita Lyka, North's mom asked.
"It's already been granted," Dad raised a glass at me. "My daughter is finally
here."
Napatingin tuloy sa akin ang lahat ng nasa long table na iyon. I smiled shyly.
Hindi ko tuloy alam kung paanong tago ang gagawin ko. It had been more than a year
since I last saw them and I was expecting that they'd ask me about it, pero
nahihiya pa rin talaga ako kapag nasa akin na ang buong atensyon nilang lahat.
Funny...when I announced my fake pregnancy back then, hindi man lang ako tinamaan
ng hiya.
"Ah, yes...it's been a while, Rylee. How have you been?" Tita Lyka asked.
She was smiling at me and my heart felt like it was going to burst out of my
ribcage. Sinubukan kong hanapin ang galit sa likod ng mga ngiti niya. I was
thinking that they were mad at me because of what I did. Because I deceived all of
them.
But her smile was genuine. I couldn't help but smile back at her.
"I'm okay, Tita. I'm doing well."
"Well, I can see that. Look at you. You've changed!" she said, like a compliment.
"You look even more gorgeous now and—and mature." She even looked at her husband
who nodded at her. They were both smiling at me.
I laughed shyly. "I admit I was childish and immature back then. I did so many
embarrassing things before that when I think about it now...sobra na lang po akong
nahihiya."
"We all have that phase in our lives," Tita Lyka said. "I, as well, had my fair
share of embarrassing things I did. It's part of growing up, Rylee...and we all
learn from it."
I smiled. I knew what we were talking about, pero wala man lang akong nakitang
galit sa kanila. They even attended this party, meaning that they didn't hold a
grudge for what I did. Mukha rin namang magkasundo pa sila nina mommy at daddy.
I was glad...natakot pa ako na baka masira rin ang friendship ng family namin dahil
sa ginawa ko. Like how I ruined North and Kuya Zoren's friendship because of my
selfishness. Good thing they were good now.
Ako lang talaga ang nakakapagpasira sa magagandang relasyon ng tao sa paligid ko.
How selfish the past Riley was. Iniisip lang ang kapakanan niya, iniisip lang ang
sarili niya. iniisip lang ang kasiyahan niya—walang pakialam kung may matapakang
tao.
Hindi sinasadyang napatingin ako sa gawi ni North. Nasalubong ko kaagad ang tingin
niya sa akin. His black orbs bore on mine. Hindi ko alam kung gaano na siya katagal
na nakatitig sa akin.
Based on how he clenched his jaw, I could tell that he was pissed. Hindi ko alam
kung para kanino o saan.
Was it for me? Galit pa rin ba siya sa akin?
Of course, Ry. He still is. Bakit naman hindi?
"And who is this young man?" rinig kong tanong ni Tita Lyka kaya napatingin ako sa
kanya. Nakatingin siya sa katabi ko.
"Oh...this is Liam, Tita, Tito," pakilala ko kay Liam sa kanila, ignoring the
effect of North's stares.
"Pleasure to meet you," Liam said politely.
"Same here, hijo," Tita Lyka said before he looked at me. "Buti na lang talaga
nakapunta ka na ngayon. Nagrereklamo na sa amin ang parents mo dahil isang taon ka
na raw nilang hindi nakikita."
"Ni ayaw nga kaming padalawin sa America!" reklamo ni mommy. Mukhang may sama ng
loob talaga siya dahil ngayon lang ako nagpakita sa kanila.
"Mom, mapapagod lang po kasi kayo sa biyahe," I reasoned out.
"I don't care! Anak kita so kahit anong biyahe pa 'yan, I'm willing to do it."
"Ako na lang po ang bibisita rito. I promise dadalasan ko po."
I figured that it was safer that way. Huwag lang talaga 'yong sila pa ang bibisita
sa akin. Baka makahalata sila na may bata akong kasama.
"Wait, so you're not staying?" litong tanong ni Tita Lyka.
I smiled and shook my head. "Hindi po. I go back in the States the day after
tomorrow."
"And you're okay with that?" tanong ni Tita Lyka kay mommy.
"Of course not! She's my only daughter." Mom sighed. "But I figure it's better this
way. Kaysa naman iyong hindi man lang namin makita sa personal si Rylee at puro sa
mga video calls lang."
"You don't plan on stopping her and making her stay here with you na lang?"
she asked, a bit shocked.
"Rylee's like that. Once she sets her mind to it, she'll do it. Kapag naisipan
niyang aalis siya, aalis siya. Kahit biglaan pa."
That was North.
Nagulat ako sa biglang pagsasalita ni North. Kanina pa kasi siya tahimik pero
ramdam na ramdam ko ang tingin niya sa akin. Para pa ngang hindi na ako nilubayan
ng tingin kanina pa.
I looked at Mia beside him. She wasn't saying anything but she looked
uncomfortable. She took the wine glass in front of her and took a sip.
Ibinalik ko ang tingin kay North. He was still looking at me. Nakikita ko na ang
galit sa mga mata niya.
I didn't know what he meant by what he said. Was he talking about how I didn't tell
him beforehand that I'll be leaving his condo and going to the States? What did he
expect? My fake pregnancy was the thing that was only keeping us together. And when
he found out about it, it was just right to leave. He didn't even believe me when I
told him that I was really pregnant that time.
I didn't blame him. I lied to him. He probably thought that it was my last straw to
keep him.
He said that I was disgusting and he couldn't even look at me. I had no choice but
to leave. To finally let him be free.
I took a deep and shaky breath. Bumabalik na naman sa akin ang sakit na naramdaman
ko noon dahil sa mga nangyari dahil sa mga salitang binitiwan niya.
"I'm fine with it," mom said, breaking the silence. "At least my baby girl learned
how to be an independent woman." She looked at Liam beside me. "What about you,
Liam? Are you fine with going back and forth here and to America just to visit my
daughter?"
"Let him be, Mom," Kuya Zoren said. Kanina pa rin siya tahimik at parang nag-
oobserba lang. "Mukhang nag-e-enjoy naman si Liam."
"I'm fine with it, Tita," Liam said with a smile. "Mukhang okay lang din sa mga
airlines. Yumayaman sila dahil sa 'kin."
Nagtawanan ang mga matatanda. That broke the awkwardness in the air dahil sa
biglaang pagsasalita ni North kanina. Alam kong sinadya iyon ni Liam dahil
nahahalata niya na ang pagiging balisa ko. Hindi pa rin kasi makalma ang kung
anumang nasa dibdib ko.
"My birthday's next month, Rylee," mom said. "Can't you stay until, then?"
I shook my head. As much as I wanted to, I couldn't. I couldn't risk anyone seeing
Stefan while we were here.
"I'm sorry, Mom...pero may mga kailangan pa po akong gawin sa States."
"Is that so?" Mom looked so sad. "But you'll be here on my birthday, right?
Magtatampo na talaga ako kapag hindi."
I looked at Kuya Zoren. Mukhang nakuha niya naman ang pinoproblema ko. Si Stefan.
Someone had to take care of him again.
Kuya Zoren nodded at me. It was like he was telling me to leave it to him kaya
tumingin na ako kay mommy at ningitian siya.
"Of course, Mom. I wouldn't miss it."
Mom looked happy with my promise. I already missed their birthdays last year.
Nagpadala naman ako ng regalo sa kanila to make up for it pero alam kong hindi iyon
sapat. They still wanted me to be there.
So I'll try not to miss their birthdays this time. Ayoko rin naman magtampo sila sa
akin. Ang dami ko nang ang ginawang kasalanan sa kanila but they still never got
mad at me.
"What about you, North, hijo?" my dad asked. He was looking at North. "Kailan ba
ang kasal ninyo nitong si Dra. Santiago?"
Napatingin si Mia kay daddy. She was smiling at him.
"Naku, Tito...pag-uusapan pa lang po namin tungkol sa bagay na 'yan."
"Really? Are we expecting a wedding anytime soon?" nakangiting sabi ni dad.
Mia didn't say anything but based on her smile, she was confirming it. I felt a
pain on my chest. Sinubukan kong ignorahin iyon pero mas lumalala lang kapag
iniisip ko na ikakasal nga sina North at Mia.
Pasimple akong sumulyap kay North na tahimik lang na nakatitig sa baso niya.
He didn't deny it. Ibig sabihin ay totoo.
So they were really together now, huh?
Hindi ko inaasahan ang mas lalo pang pagsakit sa dibdib ko. North looked up, but
before our eyes met, I looked away. Tahimik akong tumayo.
"Where are you going?" Liam asked. Ngumiti ako sa kanya.
"Comfort room."
"Do you want me to—"
"No, it's okay," pigil ko sa akmang pagtayo niya. "Sandali lang ako."
I gave him a reassuring smile when he still looked reluctant. Ilang sandali pa niya
akong tinitigan bago siya tumango. Mabilis akong umalis doon at pumasok sa bahay.
Ginamit ko ang restroom na nasa baba lang.
I locked the door and stared at myself in the mirror. I didn't look good.
Kitang-kita iyon sa mukha ko. It was a good thing that I managed to get away before
people at the table noticed it.
I was still affected thinking that North and Mia were getting married. It was like
this before. Parang ganito rin kaya nakaisip ako ng bagay na hindi maganda. I was
jealous—that was why I announced that fake pregnancy.
And now...I was still jealous.
I took a deep breath and stared at my reflection.
"It's okay, Rylee. It's okay. He likes Mia. He deserves it. He deserves to be
someone that he loves," pagkausap ko sa sarili ko.
But no matter how many times I told that to myself, I still couldn't stop the pain
I was feeling in my chest. I still loved North, but I coudn't do anything about it.
I promised that I'd just love him silently, right? So I had to get hold of myself
and be happy for him.
Ilang sandali pa akong nanatili sa loob para pakalmahin ang sarili ko. I needed to
make sure that I was okay before I go back to that long table. Ang hirap-hirap lang
na magpanggap na okay ako kung nandoon ang taong dahilan kung bakit ako nasasaktan.
I took a deep breath and faked a smile while still looking at the mirror. It was
good. Hindi halatang nasasaktan ako. When I was finally satisfied, I decided to go
out and walk back to the garden again.
Pero bago pa ako makarating doon ay natigilan ako nang makita ang isang taong
nakatayo malapit sa hagdan. Kailangan kong dumaan doon para makalabas ng bahay at
makabalik ulit sa garden.
It was North.
www.wattpad.com
17 - 21 minutes
Chapter 24
I was surprised to see him here. Hindi ko tuloy alam kung anong gagawin ko—
kung babatiin ko ba o iignorahin at lalagpasan na para makabalik na ako sa may

garden kung nasaan ang mga tao. Being with him alone in this hallway was a bad
moment for me.
What was he even doing here? Mukha namang hindi siya gagamit ng banyo. He knew damn
well that we had another comfort room upstairs so he didn't have to wait until I
finished using the one here.
He wasn't saying anything and was just staring at me. I just stared back at him as
I thought of what to do. Kaya nga ako nagbanyo muna para makalma ko ang sarili ko
at makaiwas sa kanya pero siya agad ang una kong makikita pagkatapos?
I took a deep breath to calm myself. I decided that I'd greet him. I thought that
it was stupid to ignore him after staring at him.
"Hey." I said casually. Buti na lang at hindi nanginig ang boses ko. "Gagamit ka ng
banyo? You should've used the one upstairs para hindi ka na naghintay."
He didn't say anything and kept staring at me. Pasimple akong lumunok para sana
alisin ang kaba sa dibdib ko pero ang hirap lang gayong titig na titig siya sa
akin.
"Um...balik na 'ko sa party," I said, trying to escape him. Sinubukan ko siyang

lagpasan pero bago pa ako makalayo ay naramdaman ko ang paghawak niya sa braso ko.
Muntik na akong mapatalon sa gulat! I stopped, frozen, and turned around to look at
him. Agad niya rin naman akong binitiwan nang tumingin ako sa kanya.
"Looks like you're doing well, huh?" he said. His lips were curved in a mocking
smile.
"What?" lito kong tanong.
"You and Liam?" he said in gritted teeth. "And what did you say? You were childish
and immature? Kinahihiya ang mga ginawa mo noon? Nahihiya ka sa mga nangyari noon?"
I didn't say anything and just stared at him. I expected that he'd be mad at me
because I deceived him before. Pero hindi ko alam kung bakit parang nagagalit siya
dahil sa mga sinabi ko kanina.
"After all that happened, kinahihiya mo lang ang lahat ng 'yon?"
He was definitely angry. Galit ang nakikita ko sa mga mata niyang nakatingin sa
akin. His jaw was even clenching, pero nakatitig lang ako sa kanya at pinoproseso
ang sinasabi niya.
Of course! I was ashamed of what I did! I looked and felt pathetic because I
resorted to lying and deceiving everyone around me just for him to end up with me!
Just because I loved him so much! Siya na rin ang nagsabi, 'di ba? I was pathetic
and disgusting. Kaya nga kinahihiya ko ang ginawa ko noon!
But why was he mad about that? Iyon talaga ang kinagagalit niya ngayon?
"North, I don't—"
"And then you left! Just like that!"
He looked at me. Pain was in his eyes but it vanished instantly when he blinked.
Humugot siya ng malalim na paghinga at kita ko ang pagtitimpi sa kanya habang
ginagawa iyon.
"Damn it!" he cursed. He frustratedly combed his fingers on his hair.
Tumalikod siya sa akin pero hindi naman umalis. Ilang beses niyang sinuklay ng mga
daliri niya ang buhok niya. His hair was now a mess. Wala na sa pagkakaayos kanina.
I was just watching him. Naiintindihan ko kung bakit nagalit siya sa pag-alis ko.
People thought that we were going to get married when he got me pregnant.
Iyon ang alam ng karamihan. And when I left, he faced all of that alone.
People probably asked him about what happened to us. Iniwan ko siyang mag-isa para
sagutin at harapin ang mga kuryosong mga tao sa kung anong nangyari sa amin—when it
was me started all of that. Siguro iniisip niya na tinakasan ko ang problema.
Nagtago ako sa kahihiyan at siya ang humarap sa lahat ng 'yon.
I took a deep breath. Humakbang ako palapit sa kanya pero napatigil din nang
humarap siya sa akin.
"North..." I softly started. "I'm sorry...sorry umalis na lang ako basta at iniwan
sa 'yo ang lahat ng problema. I should've cleared the misunderstandings before I
left. I shouldn't have done what I did. I'm sorry." I tried saying it in a gentle
and sincere voice.
He didn't say anything. Nakatingin lang siya sa akin.
And God... I wanted to hold him and tell him how much sorry I am. Pero hindi ko na
magagawa 'yon.
"I swear...if only I can bring time back and make everything right, I'd give
anything for that. But I can't, North. Ang magagawa ko na lang ay humingi ng sorry
sa lahat ng mga nangyari at nagawa ko."
I gulped. Ramdam ko ang pagbabara sa lalamunan ko at kapag hindi ko pinigilan, baka

maiyak na lang ako. I didn't want to cry in front of him.
Baka isipin niya na nagpapaawa ako para lang mapatawad niya.
"You don't have to forgive me," I said. "I know you might not be able to forgive me
ever but...can we set things aside for occasions like this? I mean...our families
are friends and I don't don't want to ruin that. And you
know, hindi maiiwasan na magkita tayo sa mga parties 'cause they are also business
partners so...can we, at least, act like we're civil towards each other?"
Kabang-kaba ako habang sinasabi iyon. I was even expecting him to refuse because of
what I did to him back then. Baka ayaw niya na pala akong mausap dahil sa mga
nangyari.
But I didn't want to ruin parties like this just because of what I did in the past.
Ayokong mangyari ulit ang nangyari kanina sa table. Our parents didn't know what to
do. It was so awkward. Natatakot ako na baka kapag nagpatuloy na ganoon sa bawat
party na nagkakasama ang mga pamilya namin ay magkaroon pa ng problema.
"You don't have to talk to me again. Kung...kung ayaw mo. But...let's just not
mention anything related to what happened before." I paused. "But if you can't
really stand my presence and it's hard for you to even look at me, then...I won't
attend any family parties that you'll attend. Sabihin mo lang kay kuya—"
"Alright."
"What?" I blinked. "Anong alright?"
North took a deep breath. "Let's be civil towards each other."
Nagitla ako sa sagot niya at napasinghap. "R-Really? Okay lang sa 'yo?"
I didn't expect that he'd agreed to it. Ang inaasahan ko pa nga ay tatanggi siya at
'yong second option ang pipiliin niya. I was willing not to show myself in front of
him again if it bothered him.
And somehow...I was happy that he agreed. At least I still got to see him.
Kahit hindi ko na siya makausap, it was fine...as long as I could see him.
"It's fine by me," sabi pa niya.
Hindi ko na napigilan ang malawak na mapangiti. I was glad! I knew that there would
still be awkwardness between us, but it was okay. Ayoko lang talagang masira ang
kung anong mayro'n ang pamilya namin ngayon dahil lang sa mga nangyari noon.
"That's great..." sabi kong ngiting-ngiti pa rin. "Thank you, North."
He didn't say anything. Tumitig lang siya sa akin. I took the chance to stare back
at him. Pakiramdam ko ngayon na lang ulit ang pagkakataon na makakalapit ako sa
kanya nang ganito at matititigan siya nang matagal.
It felt like it was eons ago when we had our happy memories together. Or ako lang
ba ang nag-iisip na masaya ang mga panahong 'yon? Since he said na napilitan lang
siyang pakisamahan ako dahil ang akala niya ay buntis ako at siya ang ama.
But still, it was one of my good memories. Kahit na para sa kanya ay hindi.
And I felt sad, knowing that it won't happen again. I wouldn't be able to hug him
again. I wouldn't be able to feel the feeling of him kissing me...
"Um..." I cleared my throat, trying to ignore the hollow space in my heart as

memories of us together flooded me. "Balik na 'ko sa party," ulit ko sa sinabi ko
kanina.
I walked past him and he didn't stop me this time. Saka lang ako nakahinga nang
maluwag. I needed to get away from him. Hindi ko na naman makokontrol ang emosyon
ko kapag nagtagal pa ako doon.
I tried to act normal when I got back to the table. Palapit pa lang ako ay nakita
ko na ang titig sa akin ni Kuya Zoren, at hanggang sa makaupo ako ay
hindi niya ako nilubayan ng tingin. I knew that he was observing me. Lalo pa at
ilang sandali lang nang makabalik ako ay nandoon na rin si North. Kuya must've
sensed something, pero hindi ko iyon kukumpirmahin sa kanya.
"Are you okay?"
Napalingon ako kay Liam nang ibinulong niya iyon sa akin. I was trying so hard not
to look at the man across me. Nginitian ko si Liam.
"Yeah," I said and nodded. "Of course."
It was already past twelve when the party ended. Hindi talaga ako pinakawalan ni
mommy hangga't hindi niya nasisiguro na pupunta ako sa birthday niya next month. I
didn't know how to make her believe that I was going to attend kaya nagtagal pa
tuloy kami dahil doon. 'Tsaka niya lang ako pinakawalan nang sabihin ni kuya na
susunduin niya raw ako sa America at sabay na uuwi para masigurong pupunta nga ako.
That calmed my mom down.
Nahirapan pa ako nang pabalik na ako sa America after ng birthday party ni daddy
dahil nagpumilit sila ni mommy na ihatid ako sa airport. I couldn't because Stefan
was with me. Mabuti na lang at tinulungan ako ni kuya sa pagdadahilan sa kanila
para hindi na nila ako ihatid. I got to the airport peacefully and went back to the
States.
I wasn't able to forget what happened between North and I at the party. Sa simpleng
pag-uusap lang na iyon ay nagulo na naman ako. My heart was still shouting for his
name. I still wanted to be with him. But after what happened, I doubt that it would
ever happen again.
When I attended mom's birthday party, I was alone. Liam was not with me as he had a
shoot that day. Ilang beses kong sinabi sa sarili ko na magiging okay lang ako
throughout the entire party. Tutal ay nag-usap na rin naman kami ni North.
North was alone, too. He wasn't with Mia that time and I was glad.
Nahihirapan kasi akong magpanggap na ayos lang ako kapag nakikita ko silang
magkasama, but I was glad that I was able to hide and control my jealousy
now. Hindi katulad noon na dahil sa sobrang selos ko ay nakagawa ako ng isang
malaking kasinungalingan.
North and I were formal and civil towards each other whenever we met at family
gatherings. Nagbabatian pero hanggang doon na lang. We hadn't had any conversation
again. Isa pa, umiiwas na rin ako dahil sa hiya sa nagawa ko sa kanya noon. I also
think that North didn't even want me to be near him.
But I noticed him always looking at me. He was probably just curious or what, but
it bothered me at times.
Not in a bad light, of course. Not that way. I was just...I didn't know. His stares
made me hope that maybe what he had felt before for me was real—but it would only
vanish whenever I saw Mia with him.
What a shame, Rylee. What a shame you had to resort too low before just so you
could force North to you.
"Ry, anak. Can you please get the bottle opener in the kitchen?" my father asked
and I nodded and smiled.
"Where?"
"Top right cabinet," he answered. "Salamat, anak."
Nagtungo ako sa kitchen ng mansyon namin, another celebration na naman para sa

naisaradong deal ng aming pamilya at kanila.
As usual, I was here, joining the party. Ayoko ring ma-miss sa takot na baka
puntahan ako ng mga magulang.
When I stepped inside and looked around, I saw no one. Kaagad kong hinanap ang
sinasabi ni dad kung saan nakalagay ang bottle opener kaya lumapit ako roon.
Nang makita ko ang hinahanap ay inabot ko ang salamin para buksan, pero hindi
naabot ang kamay ko. I frowned. Matangkad ako dahil modelo ako, pero parang ang
taas naman yata ng cabinet namin na 'to?
I jumped a little, trying to finally get it, pero napaatras lang iyon kaya umawang
na ang labi ko.
"Shit," I cursed under my breath. "Bakit kasi ang taas?" iritadong reklamo ko pa.
I tilted my head and stretched my arm before raising it, trying to reach it again.
I felt quite more enthusiastic when the end of my fingers touched it.
Ayan na...ayan na—oh, shit!
I groaned angrily when it went farther. Narinig ko ang tunog ng yapak papasok sa
kusina at mabilis akong humarap para humingi ng tulong, pero natulos lang bigla sa
kinauupuan nang matanto kung sino ang nasa harapan ko.
It was too much to take in, lalo na nang umabante siya at nagdikit ang dibdib
naming dalawa.
"What is it, the opener?" he asked casually, as if we weren't close with each
other.
"Y-Yeah," I answered. "Pero k-kaya ko naman—"
Hindi na siya umimik, and he lifted his hand. Nagdikit ang dibdib namin, halos
pigilan ko ang hininga hindi lang maamoy ang pabango niya pero umabot pa rin sa
ilong ko.
His smell was still intoxicating like before. Medyo naipikit ko pa ang mata ko at
kumuyom ang kamay.
"Here."
Sa boses niyang iyon ay dali-dali akong napamulat.
My eyes widened when I realized our faces were much closer right now. His familiar
black orbs I didn't get to see this close made my insides melt.
His eyes softened, medyo umawang ang labi niya na tila may gustong sabihin, pero
mabilis kong inabot ang hawak niyang opener.
"S-Salamat," I said in a low voice before flashing him a smile.
I gently pushed him away from me, and without looking back, went out of the kitchen
with that loud and painful thump inside my ribcage.
That went on for months. Kapag may mga family gathering ay ganoon lang ang
pakikitungo namin sa isa't isa.
Months turned to years. Pabalik-balik ako sa America at Pilipinas kapag may family
parties. I decided to hire a babysitter for Stefan to take care of him when I was
away. Hindi na pumapayag si mommy na hindi ako magtagal kapag umuuwi ako. Kung
minsan pa ay inaabot ako ng buwan sa pananatili sa Pilipinas. Ayoko naman siyang
isama. He was still young. Hindi ko dapat siya ibinabiyahe kaagad ng ganoong
kalayo.
It hurt so much to be away with my son for that long. Naaawa na lang ako dahil
naiipit siya sa ganitong sitwasyon. Bata pa lang siya pero naiiwan ko na siya
kaagad nang matagal.
Stefan grew a quiet and aloof child. Mas gusto niya ang maglarong mag-isa. I was
even more worried as I hadn't heard him talk. Naririnig ko lang ang boses niya
kapag umiiyak o tumatawa siya.
Kuya Zoren suggested na ipatingin ko na si Stefan. I took his advice. The doctor
said that Stefan had late speech development and introduced me to a therapist. The
therapist said that there was nothing wrong physically with my son, more on
psychological ang dahilan ng condition. She said that it was possible that it
happened because I was always away at naiiwan lang si Stefan sa babysitter niya—
when it was me who should take care of him. Stefan wanted me to take care of him.
She suggested that it could be treated. I should just take Stefan with me.
Palagi ko rin daw ipasyal para masanay sa mga tao at mawala ang pagiging mahiyain
niya.
I closed my eyes tightly and sighed.
"It's my fault..." I said when Kuya Zoren visited me again. "I'm a horrible
mother."
Stefan was already sleeping. Nakaupo kami ni Kuya Zoren sa sala at nag-uusap.
We always had this moment whenever he visited me.

"Wala kang kasalanan, Rylee," kuya said, trying to lift up my mood.
"No, Kuya. Kasalanan ko 'to." I took a deep breath. "What was I thinking going back
and forth to the Philippines and leaving my son here for months?!"
I really felt bad for my son. He didn't deserve this. He deserved a mother who
could take care of him properly. He deserved a complete family.
"And you know what, Kuya? Kapag pinapasyal ko si Stefan, I could see his curiosity
whenever he saw other kids with their fathers. He's probably thinking why he
doesn't have a father."
"He's just two, Rylee. You can't possibly think that he's already thinking about
it."
I shook my head. I felt so frustrated. I sinuklay ko ang daliri sa buhok ko.
"No, Kuya...if you could only see the way he looks at them, to those kids with a
mother and father, you'll know. Naawa na lang ako sa anak ko."
Tears pooled at the corner of my eyes. God...I'm so sorry, baby...kung hindi sana
ako nagsinungaling noon, hindi mangyayari sa 'yo too.
North was willing to take responsibility for me even if he didn't love me, pero
nagsinungaling ako sa kanya. He was too mad that he didn't believe me when I said
that I was really pregnant with Stefan that time.
It was my fault.
"Well, there's Liam. Inaalagaan niya naman 'yong pamangkin ko."
I smiled sadly at him.
"Stefan knows that Liam's not his father. Ayoko rin namang paniwalain siya na ibang
lalaki ang ama niya. His father is North."
Liam was always there for me. Madalas rin siyang bumibisita kahit na wala naman
siyang shoot dito sa America. Kung minsan ay inaabot siya ng buwan sa pagtatagal
dito lalo na kapag marami na talaga siyang free time.
I was thankful for him. Noon pa man ay tinutulungan niya ako. He was always a great
help to me.
Kuya Zoren took a deep breath. He looked at me. "Anong plano mo?"
"I don't know..." I said honestly. "Pero hindi ko na ulit iiwan si Stefan dito.
I'll be taking him to Philippines with me."
www.wattpad.com
18 - 23 minutes
Chapter 25
"Say Mommy..." I said in a low voice while looking gently at my son. He was looking
back at me with his wide black eyes.
"Mommy..." ulit ko, marahan ang boses. Halos pagpatigin pa iyon pero nanatili lang
ang anak kong nakatitig sa akin at nakikinig.
I heaved a deep sigh, feeling bad and sad. I lifted my hand and touched his cheek.
"Baby Stefan ko, do you understand mommy?" I asked in a voice filled with
softness , nd my heart crushed even more when he nodded immediately at me.
"Oh, my baby..." I muttered and carried him. Mas sumandal ako sa kama bago siya
ipaupo sa hita ko at hinaplos ang kanyang likod. "What's the matter, hmm? Why are
you still not speaking? Do you miss mommy?"
He nodded again at me at nangilid ang luha ko, inilapit ko siya sa akin bago
patakan ng halik sa ulo.
"I'm so sorry, baby," mahinang sagot ko at pumikit, mas niyayakap ang anak.
"Sorry for leaving you here alone. I'm so sorry, can you forgive Mommy?"
I moved away and looked at his expression. His innocent yet expressive eyes stared
back at me at mas nangilid ang luha ko nang medyo lumapit sa akin ang anak.
Pinatakan niya ako ng maliit na halik sa pisngi bago maliit na ngumiti.
"I love you too, Stefan. Mahal na mahal ka ni mommy." I pointed at myself and
caressed his cheek. "Sorry, baby, hmm? Don't worry, mommy will always be here from
now on. Do you wanna go to the Philippines with me?"
Huling-huli ko ang pagpuno ng excitement sa kanyang mga mata. He faced me entirely

kaya ngumiti ako at tumango.
"Yes, baby. Finally, after your mommy has been such a coward, I realized I should
go back to my country and take you. Hmm, maybe hindi agad-agad but...do you want
playmates? Do you want to meet your lolo and lola?"
Hindi siya umimik pero ang sagot ay halatang-halata sa kanyang mata.
"What about your dad, Stefan?" I whispered and smiled gently at him. "You wanna
meet your D-Daddy North?"
That was when he nodded continuously. Nahulog na ang luha ko nang paulit-ulit niya
iyong ginawa. Ang maliit niyang kamay ay inabot ang pisngi ko para punasan ang luha
ko.
"Sure, baby. Sure." Halos bulong na iyon. "You're gonna meet your dad...finally."
When he stood a bit and hugged my nape, I was too emotional. Humihikbi ako habang
sinusuklay ang buhok ng anak ko at inaalalayan ang kanyang likod.
"S-Sorry it took Mommy so long, Stefan. M-Mahal kita, anak ko," bulong ko.
"Mahal na mahal ni Mommy Rylee ang North Stefan niya."
My son may not be speaking but I knew he listened to me every time I was talking to
him. Before we decided to finally go back to my home country, I spent my time with
my son. I read him books, I watched movies with him, told him stories.
Hindi man sumasagot ay alam kong naiintindihan niya ako base sa kanyang reaksyon at
mga mata.
Like a bedtime story, I would tell him things about his grandparents. I would tell
him stories about his father, North, about how good he was and how much he loved
Stefan.
"Unfortunately, baby..." I told him. "Your dad has to work for us, for you, so we
stayed here."
He crawled on my lap and sat on it, tinitigan niya ang picture na pinapakita ko sa
kanya. It was North—with me.
"Here's your dad," I said gently and pointed at the picture. "It's up to you to
call him 'daddy' or 'papa.'"
Hindi siya umimik pero huling-huli ko ang ngiti niya habang pinaparaan ang kamay sa
picture ng daddy niya.
"His name is North Dominic," I told him. "Stefan?" I called after a while kaya
napabaling siya sa akin. I gave him a genuine and sweet smile, stroking his hair.
"If ever you finally see your dad, please give him a smile, okay?"
Gently, he nodded. Muli siyang tumingin sa picture bago muling bumaling sa akin at
ngumiti nang maliit.
"Oh, you adorable, handsome man." I giggled. "Want mo ng milk?"
He nodded abruptly and smiled widely kaya nanggigil na ako. I carried him, raising
him a bit. Pinaulanan ko ng halik ang kanyang pisngi at leeg at mas gumaan ang loob
nang marinig ang tawa ng anak at ang hawak niya sa mukha ko.
Mahirap maging magulang na walang katuwang. Mahirap ang naging pagbubuntis, lalo na
ang panganganak ko. After all the heartbreaks, after all the pain, just hearing my
son's laugh was enough. It was worth it.
After all, being a mother was something else. My life now wasn't just about me
anymore. My son was now a big part of it.
There was a part of me that wasn't ready for North. Sinabi ko na sa sarili noong
kailangan ko nang umusad pero ang hirap-hirap talaga.
I went on the edge of the road, trying to find another path and move on—only to end
up falling harder from an endless cliff.
I glanced at my son. He was busy drinking his bottled milk but his eyes were fixed
on his hand where his father's photo was.
Para sa 'yo, anak. Para sa 'yo, tatapangan ni mommy.
I smiled inwardly, crawling back on the bed and laying down before hugging my son's
small body.
"I love you so much, my baby boy," I whispered lovingly in his ear, and a small
chuckle left my lips when he turned his body on the side so he could hug me too.
Medyo natagalan ako sa pag-asikaso ng mga papeles namin ni Stefan papauwi ng

Pilipinas, processing our passports and other things na ipinadala pa sa Pilipinas
para ilipat sa condo unit na ibinigay ni kuya para sa aming magina.
I was really thankful for my brother, Kuya Zoren. I was sad before because he was
mad at me, but I now understood his reasons fully. Ayaw niya lang akong masaktan at
pinagsisisihan ko ang nagawa ko noon.
I was desperate for North's love and affection before, didn't listen to my brother
despite his warnings, and ended up getting hurt.
The hardships were my karma. I admit I made a mistake at hindi iyon dapat tularan.
I was wrong but it didn't mean I wasn't a good person. Hindi man siguro nasa
ganoong lebel na ay ang mahalaga'y natuto ako sa aking mali.
"Ready?"
A smile rose from lips when Liam called my attention.
"Yeah." I nodded before glancing at my son. "You ready, Stefan?"
When he nodded cutely and raised his hand, I giggled. Pinaliguan ko siya ng halik
habang tumatawa siya at nailing sa akin si Liam bago kunin ang bag ko.
"Come on, let's check in," aniya.
Sabay-sabay kaming pumasok sa airport. I was amused seeing my son's amazed eyes as
he looked around the place. It was new to him, of course.
Madalas kasi ay nasa bahay lang siya kasama ang babysitter niya o 'di kaya'y nasa
parke or mall. It was sad that he rarely played with other children dahil nga
tahimik at mahiyain siya. He loved when he was alone, so seeing him like this was
fulfilling for me.
Nakakapagod ang biyahe. There were times my son would cry because he wanted to walk
around, kaya madalas ay paikot-ikot kaming dalawa sa cabin.
I was just holding his hand while he walked around. Titingin-tingin lang sa mga
pasahero at kapag lalaruin siya ay mahiyaing ngingiti sabay tago sa may paahan ko.
"He's an adorable baby boy, huh? Handsome," one of the passengers complimented him,
and it made me smile.
"Got it from his dad," I said proudly and then carried my son. "Say hi, Stefan," I
uttered gently, and my quiet and shy son waved at him a little bago mabilis na
ipinalupot ang kamay sa batok ko at tago sa leeg ko.
Adorable.
Sumakit ang balakang at pang-upo ko kakahintay na makarating na kami sa bansa, pero

worth it naman ang pagod nang mabakas ko kung gaano ka-excited ang anak.
"Oh? Parang 'di nagbiyahe ng ilang oras, ah?" natatawang pansin ni Liam nang
pagbaba pa lang namin ng eroplano ay hyper na si Stefan.
He was even pulling my hand while trying to run, kaya sa takot ko namang madapa
siya ay hinahabol ko ng lakad.
"Baby, careful!" I called. "Don't run, Stefan."
But he was so excited. Ang mata niya'y namamangha sa mga tao at lugar. Noong
napadpad pa kami sa may baggage ay muntik pa siyang sumama sa pag-ikot n'on kung
'di ko lang pinigilan.
"Oooh?" he made a sound of dismay and pointed at the machine, 'yong pang-ikot ng
maleta, pero natawa lang ako at nailing.
"No, baby. That's for bags only, not for babies," I explained and his reddish lips
pouted. Ang matambok niyang pisngi ay mas lumaki nang magpalobo siya ng bibig at
nanghihinayang na bumaling sa machine.
"Bakit? Sasama raw siya?" natatawang tanong ni Liam habang kinukuha ang bagahe
namin at dinudungaw ang anak ko.
"Oo." I laughed. "Sabi ko bawal 'yan sa babies, para sa bagahe 'yan. Sabihin mo
nga, Tito Liam kay Baby Stefan na bawal."
"Stefan," Liam called, kinalabit pa ang anak ko na kaagad siyang nilingon.
"Mommy's right, bawal ang babies d'yan. Kapag sumama ka sa pag-ikot maiipit ka,
sige."
"Hmp!" reklamo pa niya sabay halukipkip, kaya napatawa ako at niyakap na siya nang
tuluyan.
"Ang kulit, mana talaga kay mommy," ani Liam. Nagkatinginan na lang kaming dalawa
at sabay na natawa.
Kaunti lang ang dala naming bagahe dahil pinauna na namin ito sa Pilipinas bago pa
man kami bumyahe. Isang maliit na travelling bag lang ang hawak ko at isang maleta
kay Liam.
"Ry, may magsusundo ba?" ani Liam sa akin. "I can call a cab if you like."
"Wala." I shook my head. "Walang magsusundo—"
My voice faded when I saw Stefan tugging his uncle's hand. Napabaling doon si Liam
at nakita kong tinuturo niya ang isang shop na may mga pagkain.
"Oh, you want to eat sweets, young man?" Liam asked in amusement and my son nodded
repeatedly. "Alright—"
I cleared my throat. Sabay na natahimik ang dalawa bago napabaling sa akin.
"Uh-oh." Liam whistled. "The question is...papayag ba si Mommy Rylee?"
Stefan pouted at me, kaagad niya akong tiningala at malungkot na tiningnan.
"You ate a lot of sweets, baby," mahinang sabi ko,."Baka masira ang teeth mo—
"
His lips protruded more. Seryoso ako na hindi talaga siya hahayaang kumain pero
mabilis na lakad niya at yakap sa paa ko ay natulos ako sa kinatatayuan.
I was stunned and shocked at the same now, at napatawa si Liam nang iangat ni
Stefan ang mukha niya at nagpa-cute sa akin. Ang inosenteng mata niya'y
nagniningning at may paambang luha na.
"What..."
"Hala..." Liam teased, chuckling. "Yari, pinapaiyak ni mommy si Stefan!"
"Liam."
Siniko ko ang kaibigan na tatawa-tawang lumayo at muling bumulong, "pagbigyan na

kasi si baby, Mommy."
"But..." I trailed off, muling bumaling sa anak kong mukhang cute na teddy bear sa
harapan ko at doon na ako nalusaw.
I crouched down to him, sinapo ko ang pisngi ng anak bago siya marahang haplusin.
"Alright, alright, sige..." pagpayag ko na, at narinig ko pa ang pag-'yes' ni Liam

doon kaya nangisi na ako.
Loko.
Meanwhile, my son's eyes widened. Happiness filled the innocent stare he'd been
giving me at miski ako'y hindi naging handa nang bigla na lang niya akong talunin
ng yakap.
Muntik na akong maluha nang paulanan ako ng masasayang halik sa pisngi at ilong.
"Oh my baby..." I muttered.

He giggled. I could feel his wet kisses with a sound effect of mwah! , kaya aliw na
aliw ako.
"Iikot muna kami roon, Ry," paalam ni Liam kaya napatango na ako.
"I'll go out first, Liam," sagot ko naman. "Book ako ng cab. Ikaw na bahala sa anak
ko, ah? Naku, sinasabi ko sa 'yo kapag 'yan maraming nabiling matamis ikaw ang
malilintikan sa akin."
"Okay, Boss!" He playfully saluted kaya napailing na lang ako at dumukwang muli
para halikan ang excited kong anak.
"You stay here with tito first, okay? Labas muna si mommy."
My son was so preoccupied with his goal that he didn't even notice me. Iniwan ko
silang dalawa roon at hawak-hawak ang travelling bag ay lumabas na.
I looked around and checked the taxi lane pero mahaba ang pila.
I sighed, I should've agreed when my brother offered to take us there. Ayoko kasi
at alam nina mom ang uwi ko ngayon at baka ma-ambush ako rito sa airport.
I went back near the exit gate, kinuha ang phone para mag-install ng isang booking
app at tahimik na nagmamasid sa loob para tingnan kung papunta na rito ang dalawa.
Biglang may humablot ng hawak kong bagahe kaya napatalon na ako.
"Magnanakaw!" I screamed and looked back, only to be stunned when I saw who it was.
North was standing proud and tall in his casual white shirt and trousers. His hair
was pushed back, a metal dog tag around his neck, wearing his black shades.
"U-Uy!" bati ko, marahas pa rin ang kalabog ng dibdib. "B-Bakit ka nandito?"
He removed his shades, and his black eyes illuminated against mine. It made me go
into haywire.
"Your parents asked if I could fetch you—"
"What?!" halos isigaw ko na iyon sa kanya.
Medyo napaatras pa siya sa gulat sa biglaang sigaw ko pero muling lumapit at

inilagay sa ulo ang shades. "What's the matter?"
"Ikaw!" I exclaimed and stopped, halos sampalin ko ang sarili nang makita ang hindi
mapangalang emosyon sa kanyang mga mata nang sabihin ko iyon.
"I-I mean." I cleared my throat. "I mean, ikaw? Bakit ikaw 'yong sumundo? I told my
parents I could go alone."
"I offered." He shrugged at kahit namilog na ang mata ko'y mukha siyang walang
pakialam.
"Bakit?" Nanlaki ang mata ko roon. "Hindi naman sa pang-aano pero..."
"I was at your house earlier. I heard you were coming home. Gusto nilang ipasundo
ka pero ayaw mo raw." He shrugged again. "I heard you would have a hard time
booking a cab since it's rush hour, so I offered."
I bit my inner cheek. Biglang umilaw ang phone ko kaya dinungaw ko iyon at nakita
ang mensahe.
From: Liam
Ry, where are you? Palabas na kami ni Stefan.

"Oh my God!" I gasped and looked at North. He was confused at that, at biglang
sumagi sa utak ko na nasa exit ako.
I screamed internally. Mabilis kong hinawakan ang kamay ni North bago siya hilain
para magkapalit ang pwesto naming dalawa. Now, his back was facing the exit while I
was facing him.
"Bakit?" takang tanong niya pero mabilis lang akong umiling at pasimpleng bumaling
sa may exit.
Gusto ko na lang yatang lumubog sa lupa nang makita ko ang dalawa na papalabas.
Liam was carrying Stefan on one arm while pulling the baggage with his other one.
Nakita ko ang pagtaas ng kamay ng anak na hawak ang plastic ng pagkain niya kaya
napasinghap na ako.
"Shit! Shit! Shit!" I whispered to myself.
"Rylee?" North's baritone voice filled my ear. "What's—"
"Wala!" I almost screamed in his face at mas nangunot ang noo niya.
"You okay?" he inquired kaya tumango ako.
"O-Oo," sagot ko habang bumabaling ulit sa exit para sumubok na hanapin ang tingin
ni Liam na mukha yatang walang pakiramdam.
Nararamdaman ko ang titig ni North pero 'di ko siya binalingan sa sobrang kaba ko
kay Liam na wala yatang balak tumingin sa pwesto ko at mailabas pa ang anak ko!
"What are you looking at?" he suddenly asked, startling me.
"W-Wala!" iling ko sabay tawa. "Wala naman, North. Wala," I answered him nervously
but his brows shot up. He suddenly tilted his head pero bago pa man siya makalingon
ay basta ko na lang sinapo ang mukha niya paharap sa akin.
He was startled. I was too, while looking at those familiar black eyes I loved so
much before—even until now.
Pareho kaming tulala roon habang sapo ko ang pisngi niya ng dalawang kamay ko kaya
mabilis akong tumikhim at ngumiti nang hilaw.
"M-Mas gumwapo ka, ah?" I complimented and his eyes softened, muling napatitig sa
mukha ko.
"You're always beautiful too."
I swore I think my legs turned jell-o.
Mas lumakas ang paghataw ng puso ko kaya parang napapasong bumitaw ako roon at
mahinhing tumawa. "T-Thanks," I answered.
Namula ang mukha niya, paniguradong gano'n din ako kaya tumikhim ako at muling
tumawa. Sumusulyap ako sa exit at doon ay nahuli ang tingin ni Liam na nakanganga
na sa amin mula sa loob.
Pinanlakihan ko siya ng mata. Mukhang nalito siya kaya kinunutan ako ng noo.
He mouthed, "What?" kaya umiling akong muli.
"What's the matter, Ry?" I heard North ask.
"Wala," iling ko at natatawang tiningnan siya. "A-Anong oras na nga?"
He nodded, bumaling sa watch kaya kinuha ko ang pagkakataong iyon para igalaw ang
kamay ko at isenyas kay Liam na umalis na sila muna.
Good thing my son was oblivious and distracted with his food kaya 'di niya kami
nakikitang parang tanga ng Tito Liam niya.
"What?" Liam mouthed again kaya nasapo ko ang noo at lumaki na ata ang butas ng
ilong sa stress.
"Mauna na kayo! Ekis!" Pasimple kong tinataas ang kamay habang walang boses na
nagsasalita.
Napahawak na sa batok si Liam gamit ang isang kamay at mas hindi kami
nagkaintindihan.
He suddenly pointed to my son in his arms and back to me, at nagtatanong kung
lalabas na ba at ipapakilala. Mukhang nang-aasar pa kaya napamura na ako sa isipan.
"It's six—"
"Hindi, tanga!" I hissed, at huli na nang ma-realize ang sinabi kaya dali-dali
akong napatingin kay North na nagulantang sa akin.
"H-Hindi..." I laughed. "Ang tanga ko kasi? Ano, um, h-hindi ko man lang napansing
sira 'yong orasan ko tapos...uh, ano, ako ang tanga. Sorry? Six na,
'no?"
"Yeah." He nodded, still quite confused.
"Ah..." tango ko bago bumaling uling sa exit at nakitang nangingisi na si Liam. He

lifted my son more, as if teasing me, at tumiim ang bagang ko at sinamaan siya ng
tingin.
"You—"
"Ry? What's the matter?" he asked and was about to shift his gaze when I panicked.
"I missed you!"

Without thinking twice, I said that out loud and pulled him closer for a hug.
Natigilan siya. Miski ako rin ay gano'n din dahil ngayon lang kaming nagkalapit
nang ganito muli. I could smell his scent, but before I could totally become
distracted, I glanced back at the exit and saw the smirking Liam.
Pinanlakihan ko siya ng mata. I moved my hand harshly to tell him to go away.
"Mauna na kayo!" I mouthed silently and shooed him nervously with my hand gesture,
and he nodded, as if understanding me and winked.
Santisima, Liam!
He carried my distracted son in his arms and waved a little, nodding. Bigla niyang
kinausap ang anak ko sabay kuha ng maleta at tumalikod sa amin, naglakad na paalis
kaya napahugot ako ng hininga.
I could finally breathe.
Umayos ako ng tayo, akmang lalayo na mula sa pagkakayakap sa kanya pero natulos
nang yumakap siya pabalik.
Halos masubsob ako sa balikat niya nang umangat ang kamay niya sa likod ko para sa
mahigpit na yakap, tumungo pa hanggang sa maramdaman ko na ang hininga niya sa leeg
ko. I wasn't expecting it, but what I didn't expect more were his next words.
"I missed you too, always," he whispered, embracing me.
www.wattpad.com
24 - 30 minutes
Chapter 26
Hindi ko alam kung paano ba dapat mag-re-react pagkatapos n'on. We were both
silent, tanging ang ingay na lang ng mga tao sa paligid ang naririnig.
Mabilis din kaming naghiwalay at nag-iwas ng tingin.
Oh, shit, Rylee! You're hyperventilating again!
Pasimple akong sumulyap sa kanya at halos mapatalon nang matantong nakatingin din
siya sa akin. Umayos ako ng tayo at sumubok na ngumiti. Hindi ko alam ang
kinalabasan n'on pero nakita ko ang paghawak niya sa batok at ang marahas na
paglunok.
"I'm—"
"We—"
We both stopped, realizing we both spoke at the same time.
"You first," he uttered and cleared his throat.

"Ano lang." Nag-iinit ang pisngi ko nang sabihin iyon. "Kaya ko namang umuwi mag-
isa."
"Mahihirapan kang sumakay ngayon, Rylee. It's rush hour and booking will be
harder," North explained.
"Hindi 'yan." Natawa pa ako nang mahina para 'di niya mahalata ang kaba ko.
"Kaya ko naman talaga kaya ako na lang—"
"You really don't want to see me, huh?"
When I heard that, I stopped. Suminghap ako at nagitla.
"No!" I exclaimed. Nabakas ko ang kung ano sa mata niya habang nakatingin sa akin
kaya umiling-iling ako. "Hindi sa gano'n! What I mean is—baka may trabaho ka at
makaistorbo sa 'yo—"
"I came here despite my work because I wanted to fetch you, Rylee Addison."
He said that seriously, and his stern face made my heart pound harsher.
"O-Oh!" I gasped in shock, napatango-tango pa at naguguluhan kung anong dapat
tamang gawin. "I-I see...okay." I nodded and smiled awkwardly at him.
Hindi siya umimik, tahimik niyang kinuha sa akin ang bag na hawak ko at naglakad
pauna sa akin kaya natulala pa ako saglit. Mabilis din naman akong nakahabol sa
kanya ng lakad at sumulyap sa mata niya. Nakita ko ang seryoso at madilim na
ekspresyon doon.
"Galit ka, North?" I asked in a low voice, but he didn't answer me.
Kinagat ko ang dila at naglakad kasabay siya, pasulyap-sulyap pa at nag-iisip kung

anong magandang sabihin.
"Sorry pala kanina, um..." I cleared my throat. "Naisip ko lang kasi na may work
ka, hindi ba? Tapos sinundo mo ako, parang nakakahiya naman?"
"I wouldn't have come here if I didn't want to," malamig niyang sagot kaya
napatango-tango ako.
"Ah, gano'n ba? Sana hindi ako nakaabala—" I screamed when I tripped on my heels.
Sa takot ko ay baka bumagsak ako, pero mabilis niya akong nasalo at nahagip ko ang
damit niya.
Nagkatitigan kami. Doon ko lang natanto na sobrang lapit namin sa isa't isa dahil
sa nangyaring iyon.
I was gripping his collar while his arm was around my waist. Marahas ang kalabog ng
puso ko habang magkalapit na naman ang mukha namin at nagkatitigan.
His familiar orbs were just the same as before, the same eyes—with the most
beautiful shades of black.
"Your fucking boyfriend can't even fetch you," he spat after a while, at nang
bitawan niya ang baywang ko ay nag-iwas siya ng tingin at muling naglakad.
Naguguluhan man at hindi maintindihan ang ibig niyang sabihin ay natauhan ako at
mabilis ding sumunod ng lakad sa kanya. I followed him, and he still looked annoyed
at something I couldn't comprehend.
"What do you mean by that?" I asked.
Hindi niya ako sinagot, at nang marating namin ang parking ay pinatunog niya ang
sasakyan na kaagad na umilaw sa hindi kalayuan.
Hindi naman niya ako sinagot kaya 'di na ako nagsalita. Medyo umatras pa siya,
dahilan kaya nauna ako sa paglalakad ng kaunti.
What was with him? He was all nice and all of a sudden—after that boyfriend he said
I had, he was being grumpy.
I reached for the door handle the same time he reached for it. Naramdaman ko bigla
ang elektrisidad na gumapang mula sa kanyang kamay papunta sa akin kaya natulos ako
sa kinatatayuan.
He was too quick to pull his hand away kaya naisip kong hindi rin sadya.
"Sorry," mahinang sabi niya kaya tumango akong hindi tumitingin sa gawi niya at
binuksan na ang sasakyan para makapasok.
He closed the door on my side before opening the backseat to put my bag in it,
pagkatapos ay naglakad sa harapan ng sasakyan para makapunta sa driver's seat.
I was just watching him silently, adoring his built I hadn't seen pretty much seen
this close these days. I couldn't say he changed that much but he became more
mature. His features, too.
Clean cut ang buhok. Yakap na yakap ng dress shirt niya ang hubog ng kanyang
katawan na ang tindig niya'y nakakapanindig balahibo. He still had the aura around
him that was enough to make my knees wobble.
Nang makapasok siya sa kotse ay kumalat ang amoy niya sa loob nito, kaya hindi man
sinasadya'y nagbalik sa akin ang alaala ng kahapon.
I used to ride here with him, sniffing his scent, asking him if we could get donuts
—the things I wished to happen again but I knew was beyond impossible.
Those things became mere painful memories. Things that could never...happen again.
When he moved his body closer, I jumped. Nanlalaki ang mata ko nang matantong ang
pisngi niya ay sobrang lapit na sa mukha ko. I could hear his deep breath intakes,
ang kamay niya'y sumagi sa baywang ko dahilan para magtindigan ang balahibo ko.
"N-North, bakit?" I asked in a formal yet nervous voice, and he titled his head.
I thought our lips would touch because of that closeness but they didn't.
Naramdaman ko lang ang hininga niyang tumama sa labi ko at ang mata'y nakatuon sa
akin.
Did he want to kiss me?! Oh my...
"Seatbelt," he said seriously and looked away, moving his hand from my side to the
other to lock the seatbelt.
"Oh!" I gasped and nodded. Sighing, I watched him do that before he fixed his
quietly.
Of course, Ry. Of course, he didn't want to kiss you.
I didn't know why but the bitter tone filled the thoughts inside my malicious head,
and I remained quiet, checking my phone while waiting for him to start the car.
Come on, Ry. You knew what you did before. You were even scared to let him meet
your son because of what happened! What if he doesn't believe you? What if he
pushes Stefan away? What can you do?
If I could turn back things, I would. If could turn back things, I wouldn't have
fooled and deceived him. Maybe if I loved him from afar, he wouldn't get hurt from
my lies before.
Kung may isang bagay lang akong hindi pagsisisihan sa mga kagagahan ko noon,
'yon ay ang nabuo ang pinakamamahal kong Stefan.
I glanced at the side of his face and saw his five o'clock shadow. His side profile
matched more with our son than my own. Just that—mas matapang ang ekspresyon niya
kumpara sa aming anak.
I hope you meet this man, Stefan. Your father.
He turned his head. Sa gulat ko'y dali-dali akong bumaling sa harapan, muntikan
pang maumpog sa gilid kung hindi lang nakaiwas.
"Shit!" I cursed loudly.
"Careful, Rylee Addison." He snorted beside me kaya mabilis ko siyang nilingon.
"Sorry," tikhim ko. "Hindi ko lang nakita."

"Uh-huh." He nodded. "Or maybe you're just panicking because I stared at you back
after you staring at me?"
"What?!" Ang gulat ay bakas sa boses ko.
This man!
"Hindi ako tumitingin sa 'yo, ah!" depensa ko.
"Hmm, I see." He nodded. His naughty and lopsided smile showed. "Let's pretend I
didn't catch you looking at me, probably cherishing our memories before—"
"Excuse me?!" Mas tumaas ang boses ko at napahawak sa dibdib ko. "I-I'm not
reminiscing our memories before!"
Oh, shit! How did he know?
"You're probably thinking how I knew," he blurted out with a naughty grin on his
face kaya napasigaw na akong lalo.
His laughter roared when I screamed. Hinampas ko ang braso niya at bigla siyang
napamura at inayos ang kamay sa manibelang muntik nang lumiko. Nagulat din ako
roon, parang umalog ata ang utak ko sa biglaang pihit niya kaya napahawak ako sa
seatbelt nang mahigpit at natulala.
"Shit!" he cursed hardly. "That damn driver!"
He heaved a deep and exasperated sigh before tilting his head and turning it to my
direction. Nagkatinginan kami at nawala ang irita sa mga mata niya bago binasa ang
labi.
"Are you okay?" he asked, his eyes turning softer, and I nodded.
"Yeah." I bit my lower lip. "Sorry, I shouldn't have smacked you like that,
muntikan tuloy tayong maaksidente," nahihiya kong turan.
"It wasn't your fault, Rylee," seryoso niyang sabi. "It was the driver's. He tried
overtaking. That damn asshole." He sighed. "It's okay. I wasn't you."
What he said somehow made me calm. Napahawak ako sa dibdib ko at tumango-tango,

bumabaling muli sa daan at hindi na muling nagsalita.
Habang nasa biyahe ay pulos katahimikan lang ang nasa sasakyan, tanging ang
mahinang tunog na lang mula sa stereo ang pumapailanlang habang bumabiyahe sa
maluwag na kalsada.
"Where would you like to eat, Ry?" biglang sabi niya sa gitna ng katahimikan.
"Huh?" I asked, confused. Dagli rin akong umiling at mas kinabahan kaya nagsalitang
muli. "Hindi na, busog na ako."
"It's late," he said seriously. "I'm sure you didn't have a nice meal in the
plane."
"I did," sabat ko. "Masarap 'yong food—"
"You're still hungry," he pointed out, still driving.
"I am not—"
"You still are," he said in finality. Tunog wala na dapat akong kontrahin kaya
natikom ko ang bibig.
Gutom daw ako, sabi niya. May magagawa ba ako?
"Which resto?" he asked while looking around when we got into the area near the
mall.
"Hmm, kahit saan?" I asked, still confused by his sudden invitation. He smirked and
nodded.
"I knew you'd say that." He parked his car at a familiar resto. "That's why I
already booked ahead."
"Seriously?" naguguluhang tanong ko. "So planado?" sikmat ko at nagkibit-balikat

lang siya at kinalas ang seatbelt niya.
I did the same, about to open the car door when he did it first. North opened it
for me and my heart jumped when he also offered his hand to me...like before.
I took it. The familiar electricity only him could make me feel ran from his skin
to mine. Nakita ko ang pagkunot ng noo niya at napabaling sa akin kaya nag-iwas
ako.
I walked towards the restaurant first, at naramdaman ko ang hawak niya sa siko ko
kaya hinayaan ko na.
He even opened the door for me and let me in first before following. Binati kami ng
mga staff sa loob. Upon hearing North's name, they immediately escorted us towards
the seat assigned—in the balcony's right side, underneath the shining stars.
He even pulled out a chair for me. I was shocked by it but I didn't comment,
hinayaan na siyang gawin iyon habang bumabaling sa waiter at ikinakalma ko ang
sarili.
What are you doing, North? What is this? You have a girlfriend, don't you?
"What food would you like, Ry?" baling niya sa akin kaya sumulyap ako sa waiter at
maliit na ngumiti.
"Just the same as his," tukoy ko kay North at tumango ang waiter, muling binasa ang
order namin at umalis pero may naalala kaya tinawag kong muli.
"Ay, waiter! Sir, excuse me?"

He came back and smiled. "Yes, Ma'am?"
"Uh, may I add two more?" I asked with a smile. "Just the same. Two orders.
Takeout," sabi ko, iniisip si Liam at Stefan, kaya tumango siya at umalis.
I noticed North staring curiously kaya awkward akong natawa at umiling.
"U-Uh, nandoon kasi sa bahay sina Drea at Ad," I lied. "Pasalubong ko lang."
He nodded, accepting my reason and I heaved a relaxed sigh.
Natahimik kaming parehas. It was a fine restaurant so classical music was playing,
and the atmosphere was serene and peaceful. Kitang-kita ang ilaw mula sa pwesto
namin ng mga maliliwanag na building sa hindi kalayuan at ang ilaw ng mga sasakyan
sa ibaba.
A small gasp left my lips when I saw a falling star. Dali-dali ko iyong tinuro.
"North, look, oh! May falling star! Ang ganda!" I exclaimed happily, admiring it.
"Yeah, beautiful."
He said those words slowly and precisely kaya unti-unti akong bumaling sa kanya at
nakitang ang kanyang braso ay nakapatong sa lamesa habang seryosong nakatitig sa
mga mata ko.
Mas naramdaman ko ang maingay na kalabog ng puso. I felt like my heart was going to
burst out of my ribcage and I found it suddenly harder to breathe.
Tila nanghihigop ang mga mata niya. Ang mga mata niyang ang tagal ko nang hindi
natitigan nang ganito.
I miss you, North. Miss na miss na kita.
Kung sana ay pwede pa kaso alam kong wala na. I'd do my best to move on and get
through my life without you. How could you still be like this even after I've hurt
you before? After my deceptions?
The food arrived, and I was thinking of my Stefan while eating. I didn't mind North
still staring intently at me.
Kumuha ako ng pasta at kinain iyon. Nahuli ko ang tingin niya at kahit nagwawala
ang puso ay binigyan ko pa siya ng maliit na ngiti.
"Ang sarap, thank you sa food," mahinang sabi ko bago ngumiti.
He looked serious. Dahil ang ilaw lang na dim ang nagbibigay liwanag bukod sa
langit na punong-puno ng bituin ay kita ko ang anino niya.
His silhouette looked perfect too, kitang-kita ang matangos niyang ilong at ang
panga na umiigting kapag nagagalit siya. His thin lips were pressed in a thin line,
at napatawa pa ako nang makitang may kaunting sauce sa may labi dahil sa carbonara.
Just like your son, North. Makalat din iyon kumain pero ang gwapo-gwapo pa rin
kahit may kalat sa labi.
My smile widened more when he looked suddenly lost. I could imagine his face with
the little Stefan, making it more amusing.
I took a piece of tissue, medyo tumayo ako at inabot siya para sana punasan ang
labi niya. I was smiling while wiping his lips, but froze when I caught his sensual
and dark eyes looking at me.
The feeling inside my chest became overwhelming. Natanto ko ang nagawa kaya akmang
babawiin ko ang kamay nang mahuli niya iyon.
I shivered, my eyes dilated when his eyes fell from my eyes down to my smiling
lips, so it faded immediately.
"How have you been?"
Those words left his mouth, startling me.
"What do you mean how have I been?" mahina kong sabi at unti-unti, ang kanyang
hawak sa palapulsuhan ko ay lumuwag kaya naupo akong pabalik sa upuan ko. "I'm
sorry about doing it pala. May kalat kasi sa may bibig mo kaya pinunasan ko,"
nahihiyang sabi ko pero nanatili lang ang kanyang tingin sa akin.
His eyes were serious, and they definitely my insides shake like he always did, but
I gave him another smile.
"What are you doing these days, Rylee?" he asked again kaya bumaling ako sa inumin
ko at inabot iyon.
"Well..." I gulped nervously. "Just the usual...modeling? Spending time with

friends? Shopping? I did tour around different places just to relax," I lied.
"Relax, huh?" Napatitig ako sa kanya nang marinig ang pait sa kanyang boses.
"You definitely hung out a lot with your boyfriend."
"What?" I asked, my forehead creasing. "I don't have one—"
"Then boys." Mas lumalim ang gatla sa noo niya. "You had fun with your suitors,
huh? What are they? Male models? They're just kids, Rylee. I don't get what you
liked about them."
"Teka, what are you saying?" naguguluhan kong tanong. "I'm sorry but I really don't
get it. Wala akong mga lalaki, okay? And I have no suitors or a boyfriend—"
"Zoren told me everything, Rylee Addison." His jaw clenched, and his eyes had that
menacing look when he looked at me. "So don't lie to me, I know you played around
in the States—"
"What? You believed my brother?" namamangha kong tanong. "He's lying—"
"And who do you want me to believe, huh? You? You liar?" malamig niyang sabi.
I froze. I didn't know if the pain was reflected in my expression, but maybe it was
because he stopped. Ang lamig sa kanyang mata ay natunaw at napalitan ng gulat.
"I'm sorry," he said and sighed, moistening his lips. "I didn't mean—"
"It's okay, North." I gave him a small smile. "I really am a liar."
His eyes found mine again and I noticed the lone expression in them.
"I'm sorry," he said again, sighing. "I just can't control my anger."
"Ayos lang." I nodded, accepting it. "You've been quiet these past few years,
North. You didn't even let out your anger at me so I understand."
Tinitigan ko siya at nangilid na naman ang luha ko pero pinigil ko iyon.
"I'm a liar, I know my apology isn't enough after all the damage I made, but still,
I wanted to say sorry, North," mahinang sabi ko at natulala sa inumin ko. "I'm so
sorry for lying, I regretted that immaturity. I deprived you of your freedom and
caged you in a non-existing responsibility."
Hindi siya umimik kaya tahimik akong kumain, kinakagat ang labi at nagpipigil ng
luha.
"Sorry, North," mahinang sabi ko at pinunasan ang gilid ng labi nang mawalan na ng
gana. "I did you wrong and I take responsibility for it. I won't bother you again
like before."
He stopped, natigil ang paghiwa niya ng karne at napatingin sa akin. Ang mga mata
niya'y halo ang galit at hindi ko mapangalanang ekspresyon...o baka ayaw ko lang
aminin ang nakikita roon.
It was pain.
"Ry..." he muttered, at doon na nahulog ang luha ko.
Nabakas ko ang gulat sa mata niya kaya dali-dali kong hinawi ang luha at tumayo.
"S-Sorry," I said softly and stood. "U-Una muna ako sa sasakyan. Sorry,"
mahinang sagot ko bago naglakad paalis.
As much as I wanted to hide it, I couldn't. Hilam sa luha ang mga mata ko nang
sundan ako ni North sa sasakyan, I even noticed him put the food I ordered for my
son on the dashboard.
"Here." He extended his handkerchief at mabilis akong umiling.
"No, I'm okay—"
"Take it, Rylee Addison," North commanded kaya kinuha ko iyon at pinunas sa mga
mata kong punong-puno ng mga luha.
Damn, Rylee! Why are you even crying?!
Hindi na niya ako muli kinausap buong biyahe. He asked for my address and that was
it, tahimik lang siya at ako nama'y kinakalma ang sarili. Takot akong muling
mapahagulgol at umiyak ng tuluyan.
Liam called, at kaagad ko 'yong sinagot at narinig ko kaagad ang tawag niya sa
pangalan ko.
"Ry?"
"Hello?" I asked. "Why did you call? Nakauwi ka na?"
"Hmm, kanina pa." He chuckled. "How are you? You're still with him?"
I nodded kahit 'di niya nakikita at ipinikit ang mata. "Oo, what about you and—um,
nakauwi ba ka bang maayos? Did you find a cab?"
"Oo," sagot niya. "Bilis nga lang, e. Pagkaalis mo, pagkalabas namin ni Stefan ay
mayro'n agad."
"Really?" My forehead creased. "But I thought it was rush hour?" Napasulyap ako kay
North na madilim ang tingin sa daan.
"Oo, rush hour pero maraming cab," he answered. "Anyway, where are you?
Stefan is looking for you, kanina pa 'di umiimik. Ayaw kumain, hinihintay ka."
"I'm on the way home," sagot ko. "Please tell him I'll be there soon."
"Alright," he said. "He's busy playing with his toys now on the floor. He refuses
to eat without you, may dala ka bang food or should I order?"
"I brought you food," sagot ko. "Don't worry about it."
"Great!" I could hear him smile. "I'll tell him. Good luck with North, I don't know
what your plans are right now but I do hope it's be successful.
What would you like to tell Stefan?"
"I love you," mahinang sabi ko at humigpit ang hawak sa phone. "I'm coming home
now."
When the line was cut off, I glanced at the side and caught his jaw clenching.
Madilim ang tingin niya sa daan habang mahigpit ang hawak sa manibela, ang ugat sa
mga kamay ay lumilitaw.
He looked...mad?
Why? Well, maybe it was because of me, because I was still here with him.
Mas tumungo ako at kinain na naman ng guilt, nahihiya sa kanya at sa lahat ng mga
nagawa ko noon.
When North parked in the lot of where I was staying, I glanced his way.
Seryoso niyang tinanggal ang seatbelt bago lumabas kaya inabot ko ang pagkain na
tinake-out ko. He opened the door for me and I stepped out.
Nakita ko ang pagkuha niya ng travelling bag ko mula sa likod ng sasakyan kaya
kinuha ko iyon mula sa kanya at nagpasalamat.
"Anyway," I started. "How much are these? So I can pay you—"
"Don't. It's okay." Umiling siya, ang kamay ay sinuklay ang magulong buhok at
tumitig. "Just tell them it's my treat."
"Uh, salamat." Hindi na ako nakipagtalo pa. "And I'm sorry again for earlier and
what happened before. Hindi ko rin sinasadyang umiyak, sana hindi mo maisip na
ginawa ko iyon para magkasimpatya ka sa akin. Gusto ko lang talagang humingi ng
sorry sa 'yo." Tumungo ako.
"Ry—"
"And I apologize for my parents. I know they just forced you to fetch me from the
airport," mahinang sabi ko.
"No," he sighed. "It was me—"

"I promise...I promise, 'di ko na uulitin 'yong noon. I'm so sorry to bother you
again, North. Sorry," mahinang sabi ko at maliit na ngumiti. "Thank you for the
generosity and having dinner with me. I appreciate it. Hindi kita pinipilit pero
sana...k-kung sakaling may pag-asa ay mapatawad mo rin ako sa nagawa ko noon,
North. I'm really, really sorry. I promise, I promise you hindi na ako makikisawsaw
sa 'yo."
Hindi ko na siya nilingon pa. Humigpit ang hawak ko sa pagkaing dala at sa

travelling bag bago mabigat ang loob na pumasok sa building.
I was at the verge of tears but I was trying so hard to stop it, pero noong nakita
ko na ang pagtapon ni Stefan sa kanyang laruan sa lapag at pagtakbo palapit nang
makita ako ay nabuhos na ito.
I cried loudly while hugging my son, showing him the paper bags of food I brought
for him.
I stared at his curious black eyes he got from his father and I smiled, touching
his cheek and spoke.
"H-Hey, Stefan. I got you food. I-It's from your father," I said in a low voice,
and for the first time again, I saw the shock mixing with genuine happiness in his
dark orbs.
My son happily ate the food North bought unconsciously for him. Tahimik ko namang
kausap si Liam na nakikinig sa akin sa bawat kwento ko.
"You really should introduce him with his father, Ry," ani Liam. "I know it's hard
but you have to, for your son."
"I will." I nodded and flashed a smile before glancing at my son. "But I'll
introduce him to my parents first."
I was informed by my brother we were going to have a private family get together
and vacation the next week, so I prepared so much for it. I was nervous because my
family was there and I am planning to introduce them my son.
I didn't tell my brother about it, afraid I'll be a coward the exact day and
wouldn't do it anymore. Baka magalit siya sa pagkaduwag kong biglaan, at ayaw ko
rin namang paasahin ang anak ko kaagad, so I made it a secret.
"Ready to see the beach, Stefan?" I asked my son happily and he nodded. His eyes
were so bright while watching the coconut trees around the beach where my family
was.
Maybe...maybe kapag napakilala ko na sa mga magulang ang anak ko'y magkakalakas na

ako ng loob sabihin kay North? Hindi na para sa akin, para lang ito sa anak kong
nangangailangan ng pagmamahal ng isang ama.
I stepped out of the car, binuksan ko ang pinto ng pwesto ni Stefan sa likod at
inalis siya roon bago ngumiti at hinagkan ang kanyang matabang pisngi.
"Behave, baby, okay?" I said gently. "Mommy will just get her bag then we'll go to
the beach. You want to swim?"
He nodded abruptly, making a small hum. I kissed his forehead before lowering him
on the ground.
"Stay there, wait for me. I'll be quick," mahinang sabi ko bago mabilis na bumalik
sa front seat para kunin ang mga gamit. Napangiti ako nang dumampi sa akin ang
malamig na hangin.
"Did you feel the air, anak?" I asked. "Ang lamig 'no—" I froze when I realized he
wasn't there anymore.
"Stefan?" My voice was stern and nervous. "Stefan?!"
My adrenaline rushed, mabilis kong isinara ang pintuan ng sasakyan at tinakbo ang
malapit lang na dalampasigan. I looked around for him, at nang hindi siya mahanap
ng mata ko ay mas kinabahan.
"Shit..." I cursed loudly. "Stefan!"

I asked some people passing by if they'd seen a kid, and they pointed at somewhere
kaya dali-dali akong tumakbo roon.
My heart was pounding loudly and harshly out of nervousness.
"There you are..." I uttered in relief when I saw my son seated on the sand as if
he lost his balance, kaya mas naglakad akong mabilis para mapuntahan siya pero
natulos lang nang may nakita.
Stefan was seated on the ground with a familiar man crouching in front of him,
trying to help. He was looking at his face intently.
Nang mas makalapit ay umawang ang labi ko, lalo na nang ang maliit na kamay ng anak
ko ay inabot ang pisngi ng lalaking nasa harapan niya at hawak siya.
"Stefan," bulong ko, ang puso'y mas nag-ingay. Ang mga luha'y paamba na namang
mahuhulog pero natuluyan na iyon nang marinig ang susunod na nangyari.
"P-Papa..." Stefan spoke...for the first time.
www.wattpad.com
18 - 23 minutes
Chapter 27
Napuno ng kalituhan ang mukha ni North nang marinig iyon mula sa bata.
"Hey, kid. You're looking for your father?" North even asked him a low, gentle
voice, but my son only shook his head and cried.
"P-Papa..." he called again, and to my shock, did his best to stand despite sitting
on the ground to hug his father's nape.
The shock filled his expression more. Ang kamay niya'y unti-unting yumakap pabalik
kay Stefan at hinaplos ang likod nito, mukhang gulo pa rin.
"Alright, alright," he hummed. "We'll look for your Papa, hmm? Kid?"
Humigpit lalo ang hawak ni Stefan sa batok nito at umungot. "Papa..." he called
again.
North stood and carried him in his arms, at saktong pagtayo niya ay napabaling siya
sa pwesto ko at nakita ko ang panlalaki ng mga mata niya nang makita ako.
"Rylee?" he said in confusion, but my eyes shifted from him to my son who glanced
my way when he heard my name.
"Stefan," I called him and his eyes brightened, kumislap ang luha sa kanyang mata
at maya-maya pa'y inalis ang kamay sa batok ng ama at inilahad sa akin.
"M-Mama..." he said, and tried pulling his father towards me, who was also stunned.
Siya marahil ay dahil sa nakikita at ako naman ay sa naririnig mula sa anak ko.
"Baby." I reached for him. Nakita ko ang pag-alalay ni North sa katawan nito habang
inililipat sa akin, gulong-gulo pa rin ang ekspresyon kaya bumaling na ako sa anak
at dinungaw siya.
"Are you okay, anak?" I asked gently and he nodded. Namumula ang kanyang pisngi
dahil sa pag-iyak, ang kanyang labi ay muling umawang at mula sa akin ay muli
siyang bumaling kay North na nakatayo lang sa harapan namin at tulala.
"P-Papa?" he asked me using his small voice and I almost teared up listening to it
because it was my first time hearing it too.
"Y-Yes, Stefan." I nodded and sniffed. "Y-Yes, it's P-Papa..." sumulyap ako kay
North na nakatitig na sa anak, ang mga mata'y hilam na rin ng luha.
It was as if he just realized what I meant, and when Stefan glanced his way and
their eyes met, doon ko nakita ang paghulog na ng luha niya.
"R-Rylee..." he muttered, his voice almost breaking, glancing my way. "What does
this mean?"
I sighed loudly. Mabilis kong hinawi ang luha ko bago mas inayos ng karga ang anak.
Tuluyan na akong pumihit kay North na nakikipagtitigan sa kanya anak.
"North," I started and sighed. "T-This isn't what I had in mind when I introduced
you two to each other...but this is North Stefan...your son."
Mas nahulog ang luha ni North kaya gano'n din ako kaya mas humigpit ang hawak ko sa
anak at humalik sa kanyang pisngi.
"B-Baby, remember what I told you before?" I whispered. "T-That's your father. C-
Come on, give your Papa North a smile, anak."
Slowly, my son smiled. Narinig ko ang singhot ni North, lalo na nang muling iangat
ng anak ko ang braso niya.
"P-Papa..." tawag muli ng anak ko sa ama niya, at nang kunin na siyang muli ni
North sa akin ay natakpan ko na ang bibig para pigilan ang hikbi ko.
Stefan hugged his nape, at niyakap din siya pabalik ni North. Nanghina ako nang
titigan ang mag-ama kong magkayakap doon na parehong umiiyak.
North closed his eyes, burying his face in our son's neck.
"S-Son..." he uttered and hugged him tighter.
It was a sight to behold, nanginginig ang kamay ko habang nakatitig sa mag-ama kong
naroon at magkayakap.
Pain and happiness mixed inside me like a mixture of ice and fire—melting my
insides. Inalalayan ko ang dalawa na maupo sa pinakamalapit na upuan malapit sa
dalampasigan pero ang dalawa'y 'di pa rin mapaghiwalay ng tinginan.
North's swollen eyes were staring at my son's round and black ones—mirroring his.
"He...He wasn't speaking before, you know?" panimula ko kaya mula sa anak niyang
nasa kanyang hita ay napabaling siya sa pwesto ko.
"W-What?"
"Stefan," baling ko sa anak na inaabot na ang relo ng ama niya at tinusok-tusok na.
"He's already two but he's usually just making noises. I though he couldn't speak."
"Did you see a doctor?" he asked me seriously kaya tumango-tango ako at kinagat ang
labi.
"Hmm, she said he's fine. It may be a late speech development," paliwanag ko at
bumaling sa anak, inabot ko ang kanyang kamay na kaagad niya ring kinuha bago ako
ngitian. "It's more of a psychological problem."
"What do you mean?" he asked kaya bumaling ako sa kanya.
"Your son..." I trailed off and sighed. "Stefan hardly goes outside and plays with
friends. He likes to be alone and play with his toys. Tapos madalas pa akong
umaalis kaya—"
"You mean when you're going here, you're leaving our son there?" Kumunot ang noo
niya kaya tumango ako.
"Y-Yeah, I'm sorry," I whispered and he sighed before glancing Stefan.
"Have you eaten, son?" he asked Stefan, who only looked at him adorably and
blinked.
"Kanina pang tanghali." Ako na ang sumagot at tumango siya.
Bigla siyang tumayo. I was confused for a while but he looked at me while carrying
Stefan.
"Let's eat," aniya bago sumulyap saglit sa akin at tumalikod.
Nagulat ako, at halos tumalon ako makatayo lang habang inaabot ang bag para
makasunod sa kanya.
"K-Kahit kayo na lang muna ni Stefan, North," I told him and touched his arm.
"Samahan ko lang kayo, busog ako—"
"You are eating, Rylee Addison," he spat seriously. What startled me was when his
other hand landed on my palm and gripped it, pulling it closer to him, kaya halos
tumama ako sa katawan niya.
"North—"
"You're getting skinnier, Rylee. I have nothing against your modeling but you must
at least look after your health," malamig niyang sabi.
Mas bumaba ang kanyang kamay sa palad ko, at ramdam ko ang kalabog ng dibdib nang
unti-unti'y inilagay niya ang mga daliri sa pagitan ng akin bago iyon buong
hawakan.
We were walking side by side. We definitely looked like a happy family now, but it
wasn't the case.
My brother was calling but I couldn't answer him until we reached the restaurant
North led us to. He put our son in a baby chair and I sat beside Stefan. Naroon
naman siya sa kabilang gilid ng anak at nakikipag-usap sa waiter para sa pagkain.
"Hey, Stefan," malambing kong tawag sa anak na kaagad akong binalingan.
"You're speaking now?"
His round eyes stared at me as he flashed another cute smile so I continued,
"Can you say 'M-Mama?'" mahina kong tanong, natatakot na mabasag ang boses.
"M-Ma..." he said again.
"Say 'Mama,'" marahang sabi ko at binuka niya ang bibig at nagsalita.
"M-Mama..." he tried again, his smile widening. "Mama!" he said in a loud voice and
raised his hand to touch my cheek.
"O-Oh, my baby..." Napasinghot na ako, kinuha ko ang kamay ng anak sa pisngi at

hinalikan ang mga palad niya. "You're speaking now. I love you."
"Ma..." he said again, at nang ibuka ang bibig ay lumobo ang laway kaya napatawa na
ako. "Mama!"
"Yes, baby?" I asked gently. "I love you so much, Stefan. Love na love kita,"
mahinang sabi ko bago siya pugpugin ng halik sa pisngi at tumatawa lang siya roon
habang hawak ako.
"He just started speaking today?" North's curious voice stopped me.
Sumulyap ako sa kanya at tumango, inaabot ang tissue para punasan ang luha ko.
"Hmm," I hummed. "He's been making noises and humming, but an actual word, ngayon
lang. His first words were about you."
Kumislap ang emosyong 'di mo mapangalanan sa kanyang mata. "You mean..."

I nodded. "When he called you 'Papa'. That was his first."
He nodded. May bakas pa rin ng luha ang kanyang mga mata roon nang balingan si
Stefan na nakatingin na sa kanyang pwesto.
I caught North smiling genuinely at his son and he did too.
"P-Papa..." he called, at napatawa na ako nang tumango si North habang mahinang

tumatawa.
"Yes, Stefan." His voice sounded like it wanted to break. "I-I'm Papa. Hmm?
I'm your father," mahinang sabi niya sabay lapit ng mukha sa anak at halik sa noo
nito.
What a sight to see. Ngayong nakikita kong masaya ang anak ko'y ayos na ako.
I felt my phone vibrating again, saglit akong sumulyap sa dalawa na naghuhulihan na

ng kamay at abala sa paglalaro kaya tumikhim ako at ngumiti.
"I'm just gonna take this call," paalam ko kay North na tumango.
"M-Ma..." Stefan called, kaya binalingan ko na siya at hinaplos ang kanyang pisngi.
"Saglit lang si mama, anak," I said gently. "Tito Zoren is calling, I'm just gonna
answer it, hmm?"
Tumitig lang siya sa akin. Naisip kong naiintindihan naman niya siguro ang sinasabi
ko kaya ngumiti na ako at umalis.
I stepped out of the resto, and was met with my brother's panicking voice when I
answered the phone.
"Jesus, Ry! Why are you not answering?"
"Sorry, Kuya." Bumuntonghininga ako. "I just got busy, what is it?"
"Where are you?" he asked. "Nasa beach ka na ba? You didn't tell me you're bringing
Stefan with you."
"Biglaan lang din," mahinang sagot ko. "I planned to introduce him to our parents—"
"North's family is here, Ry." Nabakas ko ang panic niya. "You still aren't ready to
introduce your son to him, right? What will you do now? Saan ka?
Ayos ka lang ba?"
"Kuya—"
"If you're not ready I can bring you two home again!" he offered frantically.
"I can make some alibis for mom and dad!"
"Kuya..." I muttered and bit my lip.
"Don't be scared, Ry, okay?" humugot pa siya ng hininga. "Akong bahala sa inyo—"
"Kuya!" tawag ko na nang mas malakas kaya natahimik na siya.
"Y-Yes?" he asked. "Sorry, Ry. I'm just fucking panicking. I was not informed his
family would be here too, and you didn't even tell me you were planning to
introduce Stefan—"
"Kuya, will you let me speak?" I asked, and he stopped talking.
"Sorry, sorry..." He chuckled. "I'm just nervous for you. Alright, what is it?"
"Um..." I licked my lower lip and glanced back inside and saw North talking to his
smiling son. "H-Huwag kang mabibigla, ah?"
"O...kay?" He chuckled nervously. "That's scary, Ry. Okay, I won't. What about it?"
"The truth is...North just found out."
"What?!"
Halos mabingi ako sa sigaw niya sa kabilang linya.
"Well..." I bit my lip. "We're actually eating with him. He's playing with
Stefan...?"
"Puta," mabagal niyang pagmumura kasabay ng tunog na parang nahulog kaya napatawa
na ako.
"Kuya, are you okay?" I asked in a small voice, at naririnig ko pa ang hugot niya
ng hininga bago ang pagsinghap.
"Fucking shit, Rylee Addison," he said again. I nodded and held the phone tighter.
"Yes, Kuya. Fucking shit," I answered back and laughed when I heard his low curses
at the other line.
"What did he say? Is he mad at you, Ry? Tell me so I can beat the shit—"
"Kuya, calm down. I'm okay, we're okay," mahinahon kong turan. "For now.
Hindi ko pa kasi siya nakakausap nang masinsinan."
He heaved a deep sigh and said, "Okay, I understand. Will you introduce Stefan to
our parents?"
"Yes." I sighed. "And if North's here, I'm pretty sure the Alvarados are too,
right?"
"Yes. I wasn't informed they'll be here. It was supposed to be a private vacation,

Ry," naguguluhang sabi niya. "But yeah, they're a family friend so..."
"I'm gonna talk to you some more, Kuya," mahinang sabi ko at sumulyap pabalik sa
resto. "Babalik lang ako sa loob."
"Okay, take care, Ry. This is too sudden but it's better. I will text you where we
are later. I think it'll be in our vacation house near the shore,"
aniya kaya tumango ako at pinatay na ang tawag.
When I stepped back inside, North was feeding our son. Kitang-kita ang mangha sa
mga mata niya roon habang ngumingiti at pinunasan ang labi ng anak nang may maiwang
kalat doon.
"You two look cute together."
Two identical pair of black eyes glanced at me and it made me smile. Tahimik akong
naupo sa harapan nila at inayos si Stefan sa upuan bago balingan ang ama niya.
"Did you feed him?" I asked and he nodded, glancing at the tiny teaspoon he was
holding.
"Yeah, is it...okay?" nag-aalangan niyang tanong. "Maliliit lang naman pinakain ko.
Is it alright?"
Hindi ako kaagad umimik at sumulyap sa pinakain niya.
"I'm sorry." He suddenly sighed. "I shouldn't have fed him. I wasn't even sure if
he could eat that. I just got too excited, I should've asked you instead—"
"Thank you, North," marahang sabi ko kaya natahimik siya.
Mas lumalim ang gatla sa kanyang noo sa narinig, napakurap-kurap pa at mukhang

nalilito. "Huh?"
"Thank you," mahinang sabi ko bago bumaling kay Stefan na masayang nilalasahan ang
pagkain niya. "Our baby Stefan liked it. Right, baby? Tell papa you liked the
food."
Like he understood it, mabilis siyang bumaling kay North. He showed him a cute
smile, accompanied by raising his tiny hands in the air, showing him he did like
it.
"He...liked it?" Adoration and amusement filled his dark orbs when he glanced at
me, and I nodded and took a tissue to clean my son's mouth.
"He did, North," I said. "Say thank you to papa, Stefan," malambing kong sabi sa
anak na muling sumulyap kay North at ngumiti ng mas malaki pa.
"—You, P-Papa," utal niyang sabi. Hindi man buo ay alam kaagad namin ang nais
niyang ipahiwatig.
When I looked at North's expression, it was priceless. Sumasayaw ang saya sa

kanyang mata, pero kaakibat din n'on ay ang sakit at alam ko kung para saan.
"Can you tell me things about him?" he asked while staring at his son. His hand was
reaching for his hair and he ruffled it playfully.
"He was born on July 27. He's two now," mahinang sabi ko. Nahuli ko ang paghuli ni
Stefan sa kamay niya at bigla itong kinagat kaya pabirong dumaing si North.
"Don't bite Papa, baby," marahan kong sabi kaya habang kagat-kagat ng anak ko ang
kamay ng ama niya ay bumaling sa akin ang inosenteng mata. "It's bad."
Slowly, he let go of his father hand and smiled again. I'd never seen him smiling
this much before. Ngayon lang.
"—Owi..." he muttered in a low voice kaya namilog ang mata ko.
North laughed. Mas ginulo niya ang buhok ng anak bago ito marahang buhatin paalis
sa baby seat niya para kandungin.
"That's his third word!" I exclaimed happily and North grinned, pinatayo pa ang
anak sa hita niya bago hagkan ang pisngi.
"What a smart boy," he said in an amused tone. "You are so smart, son."
"Papa?" he asked, pointing at North's face, and North nodded again.
"Yes, I'm your papa. I'll take good care of you, young man," he said gently.
Kumain ako habang naglalaro ang dalawa. North was asking me about the food his son
could eat at tinuturuan ko siya. Dinudurog niya muna ang pagkain bago ito isubo sa
anak at kita kong enjoy na enjoy si Stefan doon.
I'd do anything to see you smiling like that, Stefan. Anything for you.
I admit, I was nervous and quite scared. Sa ngayon ay 'di ko pa nababakas ang galit
ni North pero alam ko...sa loob-loob ko na kapag napag-isa na kami ay lalabas na
ang kinikimkim niya.
They looked alike. Sa lahat yata ng anggulo at aspeto ay mag-ama talaga ang
dalawang ito from the shape of their face, the pouty red lips, and their eyes. Para
silang kambal, noong medyo lumaki nga si Stefan ay nakita ko kaagad ang
pagkakahawig niya sa mukha ni North noong bata pa lamang ang huli.
"What's his full name?" North asked. Ibinaba ko ang basong hawak at sumulyap sa
anak na sumimsim na rin ng inumin mula sa straw ng ama, ang bilog na bilog na mga
mata'y nakatitig sa akin.
"North Stefan," I murmured.
Natahimik si North at binasa ang labi niya.
"You named him after me? Why?" he asked after almost a minute of silence and I
nodded, moistening my lower lip.
"Because he's your son," I answered. Our eyes met, pero nauna akong mag-iwas nang
muling nagwala ang puso.
I told him where our families were. Sabay kaming naglakad sa may dalampasigan noong
papalubog na ang araw para puntahan sila. Tanging ang paghampas lang ng alon sa
dalampasigan ang nagbibigay ingay.
I almost tripped from the stones, mabilis lang akong nahawakan ni North kaya
'di natuloy.
"S-Sorry!" gulat kong sabi.
"Still clumsy." His lips lifted into a smirk before tilting his head and placing
his palm on my forearm to assist me while walking.
Pakiramdam ko ay lumulutang ako habang naglalakad. Nang makita ko na ang vacation

house namin ay mas dumoble ang kaba ko.
Kahit sa pwesto pa lang namin ay dinig na dinig na ang usapan ng mga matatanda. My
Kuya Zoren was sitting on the side, busy checking on his phone, kunot ang noo at
seryoso, habang ang mga magulang namin ay nagkekwentuhan at tawanan.
"N-North..." I said and stopped, napatingin siya sa akin dahil doon.
"What? Why?"
Sumulyap ako sa anak, ang mga mata niya'y kuryoso na sa bahay na nakikita kaya
iwinaksi ko ang kaba at maliit na ngumiti.
"N-Nothing." I shook my head and smiled.
Hindi na siya umimik pa. Medyo nauna siya ng lakad habang buhat si Stefan na
nakakapit sa leeg niya kaya dali-dali akong sumunod.
When I stepped inside the receiving area of our vacation house, everyone went
silent. Medyo sumilip ako sa may braso ni North at nakitang tulala sa kanya ang mga
magulang.
Napatayo ang kuya. Kaagad niya akong nahuli na nakasilip sa may gilid ni North kaya
tinawag na niya ako.
"Rylee..." he said.
Our families shifted their gaze from North carrying Stefan to me, at huli na para
magtago kaya dahan-dahan akong lumabas sa gilid ni North.
Gulantang na gulantang ang mga mata ng mga magulang ko habang kuryoso ang kay
North, kaya dahan-dahan akong ngumiti.
"G-Good evening po," bati ko at inilagay ang kamay sa likuran para pisilin ang
kamay at mabawasan ang kaba.
"Rylee, anak?" mom called, her forehead creasing more. "M-Magkasama pala kayo ni
North? Anong...anong mayro'n?"
Walang umimik sa aming dalawa. Mula sa pagsiksik sa leeg ni North ay unti-unting

bumaling si Stefan sa pamilya namin at mas nabakas ko ang gulat sa kanila.
"Oh my..." Mom gasped.

"W-What a handsome kid, anak," Tita Lyka commented, still shocked and confused. "W-
Who is this kid? He looks like you."
Napatalon ako sa gulat nang may humapit sa baywang ko. Napausog ako mula sa pwesto
ko papunta kay North nang hapitin na niya ako ng tuluyan.
"Mom, Dad. Tito and Tita Dinah. This is my son, Stefan, and his mother, my
girlfriend—Rylee," aniya at literal na umawang ang labi ko sa gulat.
www.wattpad.com
29 - 36 minutes
Chapter 28
What? Girlfriend? Me?!
"S-Son?" Napatayo si Tita Lyka. Akala ko'y lalapit sa amin pero bigla siyang
nahulog kaya napasigaw ako.
"Lyka!" Tito exclaimed, and caught her when she fainted.
Napahiwalay ako kay North para sana lumapit kay tita, pero narinig ko ang singhap
ni dad at ang tawag ng dad kaya napasulyap ako sa upuan at napatakip ng bibig.
"Mom! Oh my God!" I exclaimed loudly and ran towards my mother who fainted on her
seat.
Nagkagulo kaming lahat doon. Kuya and my dad brought mom inside while tito helped
Tita Lyka on the floor. Nagkatinginan kami ni North kaya dali-dali akong lumapit sa
kanya at kinuha si Stefan na inosenteng nagmamasid lang para kargahin.
"Help your dad," utos ko at mukhang gulantang din siya sa nangyayaring lumapit kay
tito para tumulong sa pagpasok ng ina sa loob ng bahay.
We laid both our mothers on a large sofa in the living room. Kaagad kong inabot si
Stefan kay Kuya Zoren bago nagtungo sa kusina para kumuha ng tig-isang basong
tubig.
May tumabi sa akin, hindi ko na sana lilingunin dahil akala ko'y ang kapatid ko
lang, pero nang maamoy ang pamilyar niyang pabango ay nilingon ko na.
"North?"
"Let me." He took the glasses from my hand at nang maalala ang sinabi niya at
hinampas ko ang braso.
"What?" gulat niyang sabi, medyo nangiwi pa sa lakas ng palo ko pero pinanliitan ko
siya ng mata.
"Why did you say that?!" I whispered.
"Said what?" He looked confused. "I just told them Stefan's my son. It's the truth
—"
"Hindi 'yon!" iling ko at mas lumapit pa para 'di marinig ang usapan namin.
"You told them I am your g-girlfriend!"
"Hindi ba?" he asked and tilted his head, glancing at me seriously sideways kaya
mas nalaglag ang panga ko.
"W-What?" I blinked.
"I don't remember us breaking up before—"
"North!" Muli ko siyang hinampas kaya napamura siya. Muntik na palang mabuhos ang
tubig na hawak. "OMG! I'm sorry!"
"It's okay." He chuckled a bit and nodded. "But they fainted together, our mothers
are really best friends, huh?"
"Sino bang hindi mahihimatay sa announcement mo?" Ngumuso ako. "Hindi mo man lang
w-in-arm-up! Basta na lang pagpasok, biglang this is my son, this is my girlfriend?
Ano 'yon, surprise?"
He stared at me. Huling-huli ko ang pilyong pagtaas ng sulok ng labi niya kaya
napailing ako.
"What was I supposed to say? That I just found out I have a two-year-old son?" he
whispered, and I shivered when his breath fanned my ear.
Natahimik ako. Nilingon ko siya pero sa sobrang lapit yata namin ay tumama ang
ilong ko sa kanya.
I moved my head back in shock. Kumunot ang noo niya pero binasa na lang ang labi
pagkaraan at tumitig.
"I'm sorry," I uttered. "I should've told you about him—"
"Let's talk later, hmm? Let me do the talking now." Hearing his gentle voice
startled me. I thought he was probably mad, but he wasn't...at least, not right
now.
"O-Okay." I nodded and smiled.
Intense and serious eyes bore on me as he nodded, at halos mapapikit ako nang
ilagay niya ang iilang takas na buhok sa likod ng tainga ko bago ako lagpasan para
ihatid ang tubig sa sala.
I was hyperventilating. Dali-dali akong nagtungo sa banyo bago humawak sa sink at
bumuntonghininga, kinakalma ang sarili.
Calm down, Ry. I know you're still in love with him, but this isn't the case.
He isn't to you. He's probably treating you right because of Stefan.
"For Stefan," I whispered to myself before staring at the mirror. "For Stefan,
Rylee. You have to calm down."
Nang lumabas ako'y gising na si Tita Lyka. She was staring wide-eyed at my son
sitting on his father's lap beside her.
I heard a groan, at sabay-sabay kaming napabaling kay mommy na kaagad na inalalayan

ng daddy paupo.
"Dinah, are you okay?" dad asked seriously.
"Y-Yeah." She chuckled lowly and stared at him. "I had the craziest dream, Frank.
May apo na raw tayo kay Rylee. Silly." Tumawa pa siya.
"La..."
We were all shocked when Stefan spoke all of a sudden, glancing his grandmother's
way.
Mabilis na napabaling si Mommy at napasinghap.
"Santisima!" she exclaimed and clutched her chest. "D-Don't tell me..."
Mas nakagat ko ang labi, halos magdugo na ata iyon sa kaba ko. I was imagining them
meeting but not like this! Definitely not like this!
"It wasn't a dream, Mom," ani kuya kaya mas suminghap ang mommy.
Nakita ko ang pagkunot ng noo ni Stefan, at kasabay ng paglukot ng mukha niya kaya
napaayos ako ng tayo.
Shit, he was gonna...
"Holy..." Her voice faded when Stefan suddenly cried.
Mabilis akong lumapit sa anak na umiyak at biglaang kumapit sa leeg ng ama.
Mukhang natakot sa reaksyon ng mommy.
"Dinah, you scared your grandson!" dad commented kaya mas napanganga si mommy at
sinapo ang bibig niya.
"O-Oh my...I'm s-sorry! Oh my God, baby. I'm so sorry!" Bigla siyang napatayo.
Tumayo si North nang makita ako habang nasa bisig niya ang anak.
"Let me," mahinang sabi ko at walang pagdadalawang-isip na iniabot niya sa akin si

Stefan na mabilis na kumapit sa leeg ko at umiyak sa balikat ko.
"Ry..." Mom gasped, "OMG! I-I didn't mean to scare my grandson—"
"It's okay, My," mgiti ko at medyo iginalaw ang katawan para tumahan na ang anak.
"He's just shocked po."
"O-Oh..." She nodded and bit her lip, glancing at the still stunned Tita Lyka.
"Lyka, a-are you okay?"
"L-Lola na ako?" tita suddenly asked, at tumingin siya kay mommy at hindi ko alam
kung bakit nagliwanag ang mata niya. "Lola na tayo?"
"I guess so?" mom answered and suddenly grinned, at halos mapaatras ako sa gulat
nang biglang magtilian ang dalawa at tumayo para magyakap pa.
"Balae!" mommy exclaimed at halos masapo ko ang mukha nang magsigawan sila ro'n
habang magkayakap.
"They're hopeless, Frank," tito said, siniko pa si daddy na natatawa pa sa gilid.

Naiiling sa amin.
It took them a while to move on from their happiness, giggling all over the house.
Tumahan ang anak ko sa braso ko habang karga-karga ko. Mula sa gilid ay nakita ko
ang seryosong mukha ni North na nakatingin sa akin.
"Ako na?" tanong niya at inilahad ang kamay.
"No, ayos lang." I gave him a smile. "Pero pwedeng pasuyo ako? Gutom na yata itong
anak mo."
"What is it?" he asked attentively kaya napangiti ako.
"Can you get my baby bag there?" nguso ko kung saan. "Papatimpla sana akong gatas
para sa kanya."
"Alright." He nodded and took it. Naupo naman ako sa sofa habang nagdidiskusyunan
ang mga matatanda roon sa may sofa.
Medyo pinaupo ko ang anak sa hita at nginitian nang masalubong ang bilog na bilog
niyang mata.
"Oh, my baby. Bakit ikaw nag-cry, anak?" marahang sabi ko at kinuha ang panyo para
punasan ang mukha niya.
"La..." he murmured cutely.

"Hmm, yes. They are your lola and lolos," I said. "They are just excited to see
you, baby. They love you."
"Wuv?" aniya kaya ngumiti ako at tumango.
"Yes, Stefan. Your lolos and lolas love you so much. Hungry na ikaw? Want milk?"
maliit kong tanong at tumango-tango siya sa akin. "Sige, papa will fix your milk.
Singa ka muna, anak." Inilapit ko ang panyo sa ilong niya kaya suminga rin siya
roon.
North sat beside us. Nilingon ko siya at nakitang binuksan niya ang bag at inilabas
ang milk bottle mula roon at ang lagayan ng gatas na nakatakal.
"How about this, Ry?" North asked kaya tinuro ko sa kanya ang lagayan.
"Fill the bottle with water first, half lang," I instructed, and he did so, ang
itim niyang mata ay muling hinanap ang akin pagkatapos gawin iyon. "Tapos buksan mo
'yang nasa itaas, nakatakal na 'yan. Itaktak mo lang sa loob ng bote tapos i-
shake."
I saw how careful he was while doing it. Napapangiti naman ako dahil focus na focus
ang mata niyang wala man lang mahulog na powder sa ginagawa.
"Papa..." our son mumbled. Mula sa pagfo-focus sa ginagawa ay binalingan siya ni

North.
"Yes, son?" he asked, and my son just smiled at him, his cheeks becoming fluffier.
"Papa..." ulit niya lang, at nang tinusok ko ang tagiliran niya ay napahagikhik at
sumulyap sa akin. "Mama..." tawag naman niya
"Kiss mama," bulong ko at ang maliit niyang kamay ay inilagay niya sa pisngi ko
sabay bigay ng maliit na halik. "Good boy."
"I'm done, Ry. I shake it, right?" North caught my attention. "Like this?"
Inalog niya nang bahagya ang bote kaya tumango ako at nangiti.
"Tama," I said. "Ang bilis matuto, ah?" biro ko pa.
"Of course." He smirked. "I'm a fast learner."
Natawa na lang ako, binalingan ko si Stefan na nakatitig na sa gatas niya kaya

medyo inangat ko siya at dinala sa papa niya.
"Hmm?" takang tanong sa akin ni North.
"You want to feed him?" I asked. "Ikaw painom ng gatas?"
Nagliwanag ang mata niya at napasulyap sa anak na nasa may hita na niya. "I-I can?"
Amazement was in his voice and when I nodded, his smile widened. "Okay, come to
papa, Stefan," he said playfully.
Inalalayan ko si Stefan sa braso niya. Tinuruan ko rin siya paano papainumin ang
anak ng gatas, at habang nakatitig sa kanilang mag-ama na nagtititigan doon ay may
humaplos sa puso ko.
This was what I deprived my son of having for years.
Stefan was in his arms, holding his baby bottle, while North was staring intently
at him, curious yet amused.
I watched them staring at each other for a few minutes until mom cut the silence.
"Teka nga, nakakalimutan na natin." Ang boses ni mom ang narinig ko kaya naputol
ang tingin ko sa mag-ama at bumaling sa kanila. "Ry, North...mga anak, ano ba
talagang nangyari? Hindi pa rin namin ma-gets."
"Yeah, and you are all giggling there," kuya commented with a grin pero nawala iyon
nang iaamba siya ni mommy na batuhin ng tsinelas.
"Ikaw!" she hissed. "Alam mong buntis ang kapatid mo noon pero hindi ka
nagsasabi?!"
Doon na natahimik si kuya. Nagpakita pang kunwaring nagsi-zipper ng labi kaya ako
na ang binalingan ni mommy.
Mabilis akong nag-iwas at nagpanggap na 'di siya nakikita.
"Rylee Addison..." she warned kaya nakagat ko na ang labi at binalingan siya.
"Mommy," I called and gave her a smile pero namaywang lang siya sa harapan ko.
"Huwag mo akong ma-Mommy-Mommy r'yan, Rylee. What's this? Bakit ganito, ah?"
she asked. "We didn't even know you were pregnant—"
"Ipapasyal ko muna sa may dalampasigan si Stefan." Biglang tumayo si kuya kaya

natahimik si mommy, natanto yatang nandito ang anak ko kaya tumango siya.
"Alright, sorry..." She cleared her throat and stared at my son who just finished
drinking milk. Ibinigay ni North ang anak kay kuya at nahuli ko ang mommy na
nakatitig.
"W-What's our grandson's name, Rylee?" she asked.
"North Stefan, My," I said. "You can call him Stefan."
She nodded and bit her lip, at nakita ko ang bahagya niyang pagsilip sa anak ko na
nakatingin na rin sa kanya.
"Um, well..." Tumayo na ako nang bahagya at lumapit sa anak. I saw my parents and
tito and Tita Lyka come our way, miski si North ay tumabi na sa akin at humawak sa
baywang ko kaya tumikhim ako at nagsalita.
"Mom, Dad, Tito and Tita...this is our son, your grandson. He's North Stefan, he's
two now," I started, and the adoration filled their eyes while looking at my
curious son's eyes.
"Hi, baby..." Tita Lyka smiled at him, nangingilid na nag luha. "Y-You looked a lot
like your father when he was a kid."
"He does." Tito smiled upon saying that.
"Stefan, baby. These are your lolos and lolas, 'di ba gusto mo sila makilala?" I
asked him and Stefan just stared at them. "Can you give them a smile, anak?"
Ang mga mata ng anak ko ay napunta sa akin habang kapit na kapit siya sa leeg ng
Tito Zoren niya na natatawa lang habang pinapanuod siya.
It was like he was confused kaya nagsalita akong muli.
"Come on, baby. Give your lolos and lolas a smile," I encouraged, and my son
glanced at his father who nodded at him kaya bumaling siya sa apat at biglang
ngumiti at tinaas ang kamay bago mabilis na kumaway at nahihiyang nagtago sa leeg
ni kuya.
"He's shy again." Kuya laughed. "Labas muna kami," aniya at nang umalis ay
nagsalita na ang mom.
"Awww..." Mommy gasped. "Napakagwapo ng apo ko."
"I remembered North no'ng sipunin pa siya..." Tita Lyka commented kaya napatawa na
kaming lahat.
"Mom!" North whined, at humigpit ang hawak niya sa baywang ko kaya napailing ako.
"Sipunin ka pala, e," pasimpleng bulong ko at medyo napatalon nang pisilin niya ang
baywang ko.
"Huh, sorry to say, Ry. Pero may anak ka na sa sipunin noon," bulong niya pabalik
kaya namilog ang mata ko at hinampas na ang dibdib niya habang tatawa-tawa siya.
"Ehem! Ehem! Baka nakakalimutan ninyo ang paliwanag, mga bagets?" mom called out
kaya bigla kaming natahimik ni North at napaayos ng tayo.
We sat in the living room, and like what North told me, it was him who explained
things. Of course, he didn't say he just found out about Stefan today.
"Kailan mo nalaman na buntis si Ry, North?" Tita Lyka asked kaya mas kinabahan ako.
Silence filled the room at first, akala ko nga'y 'di magsasalita si North pero
maya-maya'y nagsalita na rin.
"After a few months ever since she left Philippines," aniya at mas kinagat ko ang
labi. "You know what happened before, right?"
"That..." Nag-angat ako ng tingin at sumulyap sa mga magulang namin. "I wanted to
apologize po. Mom, Dad, Tito, and Tita Lyka, I was wrong. F-For pretending to be
pregnant, I am so sorry po. I know you are m-mad at me and I probably broke the
trust you have given me and your family."
"Hija..." Tita Lyka sighed.
"I just want to say wala pong kinalaman ang pamilya ko rito. 'Yong pagsisinungaling
ko po, ako lang po iyon. Kuya Zoren has nothing to do with it, miski ang mom and
dad. Tito and Tita, sorry po sa nagawa ko. I will not justify my deceptions and
lies. I fully admit to it and I'm very...very sorry." I lowered my head. "I accept
your anger—"
"Matagal ka na naming napatawad ng tito mo, hija." Tita Lyka's next words shocked
me. Dali-dali akong nag-angat ng tingin at nakita ang malambing niyang tingin. "Of
course, I admit we were disappointed because you had to resort to that."
"I-I was desperate po. I'm in love with..." Sumulyap ako kay North na malalim ang
tingin sa akin. "...Your son. I was wrong po, I stooped so low just to get him, I'm
so sorry po."
"We're disappointed but not mad at you, Ry," tita said kaya napasulyap ako sa kanya
pabalik. "We were planning everything, even excited for our grandson, pero
naiintindihan ko naman kung anong pinanghuhugutan mo."
Mas sumikip ang dibdib ko. "I'm so sorry po."
"We accept your apology, hija." She smiled at me gently. "Masaya na kami ng tito mo
na alam mo ang mali mo at pinagsisisihan mo iyon. What's the purpose of our
mistakes? To learn, Rylee."
I nodded and smiled at her. Humawak naman siya sa kamay ni tito na tahimik lang
pero nakikinig sa amin.
"We didn't even know she was pregnant," mommy commented. "She suddenly left the
country noong nagkagulo na sila ni North. I thought my daughter was just scared of
mine and Frank's anger kaya hinayaan na namin pero..."
"S-Sorry, Mommy, Dad."
"Kailan pa nalaman ng kuya mo, Ry?" she asked.
"Noong sinamahan niya po ako sa ibang bansa," I confessed. "But kuya didn't have
anything to do with this! I begged him to keep it a secret, ako lang po ang
responsable rito. Wala pong kinalaman si kuya."
"How did you find out, hijo?" dad asked North kaya napasulyap ako sa kanya na
binasa ang pang-ibabang labi.
He just found out today, Dad.
"When I found out she was lying at first, I got mad. We separated. After a few
months, I...saw her accidentally abroad and found out she was pregnant with our
son," he explained, at kung sa sobrang kasinungalingan naming dalawa ay baka
tinamaan na kami ng kidlat.
"Nagkabalikan na kayo tapos?" Tita Lyka asked him.
Natahimik si North at sinulyapan ako kaya tiningnan ko siya pabalik. Nanatili yata
kaming magkatitigan ng ilang segundo at ako na ang naunang magbawi ng tingin.
"I pursued her again," he explained.
"Hmm." Mom nodded. "Because of Stefan?" she asked.
My heart felt like it was squeezing and aching at the same time.
Oh, he would've probably pursued me again if he found out earlier—for our son.
"Yes," he answered, and the bitter taste spread inside my mouth.
I knew it.
"...And of course, because I'm in love with your daughter, Ma'am, Sir," he said.
Halos sumabog ang kakaibang pakiramdam sa dibdib ko roon. Mabilis akong napalingon
sa kanya at nakatitig din siya sa akin.
"I was an ass to even push her away." Bumaling na siyang muli sa mga magulang namin
kaya napakurap-kurap ako.
Hindi ko maipaliwanag ang pakiramdam ko. My heart was pounding audibly. Mas
naririnig ko pa nga yata ang marahas na kalabog nito kaysa sa mga sinasabi niya.
May naramdaman akong hawak sa kamay ko. Napabaling ako roon at nakitang hawak na
iyon ni North. He filled the gaps in between my fingers with his and gripped it.
What was happening?
Halos 'di na ako makahinga sa bilis ng kalabog ng puso.
"Tito Frank and Tito Lyka, Mom and Dad..." he started off, "I'd like to ask you to
let me take full responsibility of Stefan and Rylee."
He glanced my way, and my wide eyes met his as he uttered those words. "I will take
responsibility of my family," he told them, but instead, I felt like it was me he
was talking to.
Gulong-gulo ako. Maraming katanungan ang nasa utak ko pero nanahimik lang ako dahil
kaharap namin ang mga magulang.
North only let go of my hand when kuya with our son came back. Nagpahanda ng
pagkain ang mga magulang ko at nabakas ko ang tuwa nila habang nilalaro si Stefan
na noong una ay tahimik lang at nahihiya. Pero nang bigyan ng laruan ng mga lolo ay
nakipagharutan na rin.
The genuine happiness engraved on my son's face while he was with his grandparents
was enough to take away the pain I was feeling. Tama nga ang sinabi nila noon. Ang
saya ng isang nanay ay nagmumula sa kanilang anak dahil gano'n ang nararamdaman ko
sa ngayon.
Kuya decided to talk to me while my son was bonding with his grandparents.
Naroon din si North na nakaupo sa lapag para bantayan ang anak.
"He looks happy," kuya commented while looking at my son's face.
"He is," I answered with a smile. "Ngayon ko lang siya nakitang ganyan kaharot,
Kuya. Nakakatuwa. He's always aloof and quiet. Look at him now giggling and playing
with the boys," turo ko sa anak na nakikipaghabulan sa papa at mga lolo niya.
"What did North say?" tanong niya.
"He said he wanted to take responsibility for us. For Stefan, I guess,"
mahinang sabi ko.
"For you two," kuya said, stopping me. "He wanted to take responsibility of you
both."
"Nah." Tumawa ako ng mahina at umiling. "He wants to take care of his son, Kuya.
Not me. he probably despises me to the core."
Bumuntonghininga ang kuya, sumandal siya sa may barrier kaya ginaya ko siya para
pagmasdan ang ekspresyon niya.
"Ry, would you believe me if I tell you he was into you from the start, and I just
didn't want him to pursue you because he was busy with work?"
Saglit akong natahimik, sumulyap muli sa loob ng bahay at nagitla nang magsalubong
ang tingin namin ni North na nakaupo sa lapag pero ang tingin ay nasa akin.
My heart skipped a beat, I immediately looked away and shook my head at my brother.
"Maybe before. He was maybe into me or infatuated about me before but now?
That's beyond impossible, Kuya." I stared at him. "He won't risk again with me."
"What if he's in love?" he asked. "You know, he's been asking often about you these
past years. Para nga makita ko kung nagseselos, sinasabi ko marami kang ini-
entertain na manliligaw."
"Kuya nga!" I smacked him. Tumawa siya at ginulo ang buhok ko. "Sige nga, anong
reaksyon?"
"What, now, you're curious?" Pinisil niya pa ang ilong ko.
"I-I'm just curious!" I exclaimed. "Masama? Masama?"
"Not really..." He smirked. "but he looked mad and pissed. He'll order another
bottle of liquor, you see. Mahal ka nga—"
"Stop, Kuya." I shook my head, "He isn't, and he has Mia."
Miski si kuya ay natigilan doon. "About her—"
"Oh, no. Don't tell me." I shook my head and smiled. "I'm okay. Matagal na
'yon, I believe I'll move on someday."
Antok na si Stefan kaya kinuha ko na pagkatapos ng ilang oras nilang kulitan kasama
ang mga lalaki. He was yawning on my shoulder when I took him in my room. Mabilis
ko siyang nilinisan at nang ihiga ko sa kama ay papapikit na.
"My son's sleepy, huh?" North murmured while touching his son's cheek with his
fingers. Hinuli naman iyon ng anak niya bago ngumiti kahit antok ang mga mata.
"Papa..." he said his name, making him smile.
"Yes, son. I'm papa," North's baritone yet amused tone said. He even lowered his
head and kissed his cheek. "Good night, son. Sleep well."
Tinapik ko nang marahan ang hita ng anak. He smiled at me a little while still
holding his father's fingers. I hummed a soft lullaby and I saw how his eyes
dropped close. Not a moment later, he was asleep.
North lifted the blanket while I fixed my son's pillows. Pinayakap ko sa kanya ang
paborito niyang unan at napangiti nang malalim na ang tulog niya.
"Mabilis ba siyang makatulog?" North asked and I nodded.

"Oo, madalas kapag naglalaro siya. Mas mabilis makatulog," I said. "Stefan is aloof
of people, he's shy and quiet. Kanina ko nga lang siya nakitang nakipaglaro nang
ganoon. He's been giggling all the time and having fun."
"Wala siyang kalaro doon?" he asked, and I shook my head.
"He's just like you." Napangiti ako at sinulyapan ang gwapo niyang mukha habang
nakatitig sa akin. "You're not a people's person, same as him. He likes it when
he's alone and it's quiet."
The side of his lips lifted to a lopsided smile. Sumulyap siya sa anak at hinaplos
ang buhok nito bago tumitig.
They really looked alike. Kabisadong-kabisado ko ang mukha ni North—sa ilang taon
at tagal ko ba namang hinangad siya? Talagang makakabisado ko.
I knew well what he looked like when he was a kid.
"Para kayong pinagbiyak na bunga," komento ko kaya natawa siya ng mahina at mas
tinitigan ang anak.
"Of course, baby. I'm the father," he said lowly kaya natigilan na ako.
He stopped too, upon realizing what he just said. Napatikhim ako at umangat ang
tingin niya pabalik sa akin at nagsalita na.
"Can we talk now, Rylee?" he asked.
"O-Oh, sure." I nodded and smiled. "Doon tayo sa may terrace. Baka magising kapag
dito tayo."
He nodded. Nauna na ako sa terrace at pagkalabas ay nasamyo kaagad ang amoy ng

dagat mula sa pwesto. The cold wind kissed my skin, my hair dancing with it, and
the moon above gave light to the dark shore.
He closed the door behind us. I felt his presence beside me when he rested his arms
on the barricade as well.
Saglit na katahimikan ang pumuno sa pwesto namin ng ilang saglit hanggang sa

nagsalita na siya.
"Did you have a hard time giving birth to him?"
"Medyo," sagot ko. "Masakit naman kasi talaga manganak but Stefan didn't really
give me a hard time. He was born via normal delivery, healthy. Noong nagbuntis
naman ako, sobrang crave lang sa pagkain tapos nagsusuka minsan sa umaga."
"When did you find out about your pregnancy?" North asked again, glancing at me
sideways, pero nanatili ang titig ko sa madilim na karagatan.
"That day," I murmured. "The same day when you found out I was deceiving and lying
to you."
He stilled, tumagilid na siya kaya hinarap ko. Malalim ang gitla sa kanyang noo,
his lips were firm, and confusion was visible in his eyes.
"What you told me..." he uttered unbelievably.
"Yes, it was true," I murmured and flashed him a small smile.
"Damn it," his jaw clenched, naihilamos niya ang kamay at ginulo ang buhok.
"When you told me you were pregnant that night, it was...it was true?"
"Oo," tango ko. "Kakaalam ko lang din, pumunta nga ako sa opisina mo no'n para
sabihin sa 'yo sana ang nalaman kaso abala ka naman. I was honestly afraid about
telling you because I lied so I wanted to at least try, pero kinarma kaagad sa
ginawa ko sa 'yo. Bago ko pa man masabi, nalaman mo na."
Marahas ang naging paghinga niya, mariing ipinikit niya ang mata at tumitig sa
akin.
"And I did not believe you." He huffed out a breath. "Fuck, I didn't even believe
you."
"I understand, North," mahinang sagot ko, mas sumisikip ang dibdib. "May ginawa
akong mali sa 'yo after lying about being pregnant. Who would even believe me,
right? Kung ibang tao siguro'y gano'n din. So I understand your reaction. No one
would even believe me—"
A loud gasp left my lips when he suddenly pulled me for a hug.
Tumama ang mukha ko sa may leeg niya. Hindi naman ako kaagad nakagalaw nang
humigpit ang kanyang hawak sa likod ko at isinubsob ang mukha sa balikat.
"I'm sorry..." he whispered. "I'm so sorry, Ry. I should've believed you. I'm
sorry." The desperation was etched in his voice. Ipinikit ko ang mata para
mapigilan ang luhang paamba.
"Hindi mo kasalanan," bulong ko. "Wala kang kasalanan. You were just a victim of my
lies—"
"But I should've at least tried to believe you!" He pulled away and gripped my
shoulders gently.
I was stunned when I realized his eyes were now bloodshot, papaamba na ang mga luha
niya roon habang desperadong nakatitig sa akin.
"I should have checked first! Sana hindi nagpadalos-dalos! I should've been there
while you were pregnant! I should've been there when you gave birth and raised our
son!"
"Kasalanan ko, North." I pointed at myself, and I couldn't help it when a tear fell
on my eyes. "I was immature! I fooled you! I fucking fooled everyone just to get
what I want! Yes, I was selfish, so you shouldn't blame yourself, okay? The blame
is on me! Ako ang nagsinungaling! Ako ang may kasalanan kaya tama lang sa akin na
ganito!"
"No, Rylee," he said seriously. "Something happened between us in this

relationship. I should have known it was possible I got you pregnant, but I didn't
check!"
Umiling ako. "I'm really sorry for hiding your son from you. You should've been
there while he was growing up but instead, I deprived you of that—"
"Fuck, Rylee! May kasalanan ka, oo! Pero may kasalanan din ako!" he exclaimed. "I
kissed Mia in front of you instead of hearing your side! I even told you I wouldn't
accept a child from you! T-That you're...disgusting." He closed his eyes when he
said those words painfully.
Doon na walang tigil na nahulog ang luha ko, kahit anong pigil ko ay tila talon
iyong umagos sa pisngi ko at kahit anong hawi ay hindi matigil.
His bloodshot eyes found mine and he lowered his head. He reached for my hands and
gripped it.
"Y-You weren't—aren't disgusting," he whispered. "I-I didn't mean it, I-I was just
pained and an asshole, Ry. H-Hindi ka gano'n...hindi."
Bumilis ang paghinga ko, ang hikbi ay kumawala na sa labi noong bumalik sa akin ang
alaala ng kahapon.
"I-I forgive you, hmm?" He cupped my cheek desperately, his hand shaking. "I was
hurt but it didn't give me the right to be a jerk to you."
"S-Sorry..." I cried loudly. "S-Sobrang mahal lang k-kita kaya ko nagawa
'yon. M-Mali, maling-mali pero g-ginawa ko pa rin. S-Sorry..."
He pulled me for a hug again, and it was comforting and excruciatingly painful at
the same time. Mas lumakas ang iyak ko nang masubsob na sa kanyang balikat,
hinaplos naman niya ang likod ko at humalik sa buhok ko.
"I-I'm so sorry too, I'm sorry..." he whispered and pulled away, gently cupping my
cheek and stared at my eyes. "Please, please live with me. I-I promise I'll be a
good man. I'll take care of you and our son."
Natahimik ako, tumitig ako sa itim niyang mga mata. Punong-puno iyon ng sakit,
pagbabakasakali at kung anong emosyong hindi ko maipaliwanag, at bumalik sa akin
noon ang mga maling nagawa ko sa kanya.
"B-Bawi ka na lang kay Stefan, North," I told him and the hope in his eyes
vanished.
He moistened his lower lip, his gentle eyes staring at me.
"What do you mean by that?" he asked. "Kayo ni Stefan—"
"Your responsibility is only your son, North," mahinang sabi ko at kinuha ang kamay
niya sa pisngi ko. "Hindi ako."
"What?" His jaw clenched. "Of course you're my responsibility too, Rylee! You are
the mother of my child!"
"Hindi..." Umiling ako. "What I did to you before was too much. I caged you in a
nonexistent responsibility. You answered all my whims, I gave you a responsibility
you shouldn't have—"
"I did it willingly, Ry!" he exclaimed. "I've liked you for a long time too!
No, I'm in love with you! I wanted so bad to pursue you before! Even if you didn't
tell me you were pregnant! I was so willing to break my friendship with your
brother for you!"
Ang kirot ay mas naramdaman ko kaya tumungo ako at hinawi ang luha.
"You don't." Halos bulong na 'yon. "You don't love me...you can't possibly love
someone like me."
"I do," he murmured, trying to catch my eyes, but I was busy looking away.
"Ry, please. W-Will you listen?" The desperation was laced in his voice. "I know. I
know I told you I would never love you before, but I was just being an asshole. I-
I'll make it up to you, hmm? Please, please let me take responsibility of you and
our son," he begged desperately.
"Si Stefan lang ang responsibilidad mo—"
"Then damn it, I want you!" he shouted, angry. "I want you in my life too, Rylee
Addison! Not just our son—but you!"
If it was before, maybe I'd be in cloud nine because of happiness—but not now. Not
right now, not when I was still guilty for all the bad things I did.
"Huwag na ako," iling ko.
"Rylee, look at me..." He cupped my cheek again. "I forgive you, okay? I'm fine
now...just, please? Can we start again?"
His eyes mirrored sorrow and hope, but then the pain and disappointment I painted
in that black canvas kept on coming back. It kept on coming back.
Slowly, I pulled his palm away from my cheek and took a step back.
"You can make it up to our son, North. He's your responsibility now, not me,"
I said. "Ayos lang ako, don't worry. It's not like I deserve you, anyway.
There are other girls more worthy of your time. Hindi ako," iling ko at tahimik na
bumalik sa loob ng kwarto.
www.wattpad.com
34 - 44 minutes
Chapter 29
I immediately found my way to the bathroom and decided to take a shower. I forced
myself not cry again but I did. When the shower started and it soaked my face,
tears fell.
It was like they had a mind of their own, probably thinking it was okay to finally
cry because I was drenched—no could ever tell they were tears.
I did the right thing, didn't I? After everything I did before, I wasn't even sure
if I deserved an ounce of happiness. I ruined his life, my family's relationship
with their family—almost.
Okay na ako sa ganito. Makita ko lang ang anak kong masaya, kahit hindi na ako.
Halos isang oras ako sa banyo at nag-iisip nang malalim.
My were are puffy and bloodshot when I stepped out of the shower room.
Nakasuot lang ako ng roba pero kaagad na napaatras nang makita si North na nasa
loob pa rin ng kwarto buhat si Stefan. His clothes were new and he looked fresh.
"North?" My voice weakened. "What are you still doing here?"

He didn't answer me immediately, his eyes stayed staring at my own so I looked back
at him and gulped.
"Stefan woke up when I checked on him again, he was looking for me," he said kaya
tumango-tango ako.
"Thank you for checking up on him," mahinang sabi ko bago nagtungo sa bagahe ko sa
may gilid lang para kumuha ng damit.
I could feel his stare as I took my clothes. Pilit ko namang hindi iyon pinapansin
kahit na kabado na at nagwawala ang puso.
"Bihis lang," paalam ko bago bumalik sa banyo para magpalit ng damit.
Pagpasok pa lang ay pinaypayan ko na ang sarili at napatitig sa salamin.
Shit, Rylee. Can't you be casual with him? Be formal, at least! That's what you
should do for your son!
I heaved a deep and exasperated sigh while changing my clothes. I even brushed and
dried my hair before checking myself in the mirror.
I was wearing a satin night dress, and my hair was a bit messy but tolerable.
My face was bare, my cheeks red with a natural blush, and my plump lips looked pale
kaya hinalughog ko ang kit na dala ko at naglagay nang kaunti at mukhang natural na
tint.
I even smelled myself and sprayed perfume but stopped midway when I realized
something.
"What the hell, Rylee Addison?" I asked myself and stared at my image. "Anong
ginagawa mo, huh? Bakit ganyan?"
My eyes fell down on the perfume I just used. Mabilis ko iyong ibinalik sa lagayan
ko at pinunasan ang labi na namula sa tint.
"Bakit ba ako nag-aayos?" I whispered to myself. "It's not like he'll smell me or
something!"
Shaking my head, I screamed mentally. Ginulo-gulo ko pa ang buhok para hindi naman
mukhang nag-ayos ako at lumabas na nakasimangot—para mapamura lang nang sinalubong
ako ng katawan niya paglabas.
I gasped, mabilis niyang nahuli ang braso ko at marahan akong hinila sa kanya
papalapit para hindi madulas sa banyo.
"Are you okay?" he asked and my heart pounded. I nodded repeatedly and pushed him
gently away from me.
"Y-Yeah," I stammered. "Bakit nga pala nandito k-ka?"

"Magpapaalam na sana akong aalis," aniya kaya tumango ako at ngumiti sa kanya.
"O-Okay, salamat pala sa pag-check kay Stefan," marahang sabi ko, may ngiti pa sa
labi na kaagad na napawi nang makita ang titig niya sa akin.
Nagtindigan ang balahibo ko, parang umikot yata ang sikmura ko kaya nag-iwas ako at
kaagad na lumapit sa kama para tingnan ang anak kong medyo nagmulat ang mata.
"Shh," I hummed. "Sleep na, baby. Sorry for mama's voice." I gently tapped his leg
but his body twitched and his eyes opened a bit more.
"Papa..." he mumbled. Sinundan ko ang tingin niya at nakitang na kay North iyon na
papunta na sa pintuan. "P-Papa..."
Nagkatinginan kami ni North. Kaagad ko siyang tinanguan kaya naglakad siya pabalik
sa kama at naupo sa gilid nito para haplusin ang buhok ng anak.
"Yes, big boy?"
"Papa..." he mumbled again. "P-Papa, here..." When North reached for him, he
gripped his fingers. Napangiti naman si North doon at hinaplos ang pisngi ng anak
gamit ang isang kamay.
"Yes, Stefan. Papa's here. Don't worry," he murmured. Stefan gripped his fingers
more, he even put his father's hand on his cheek and rested on it.
"Oh..." I chuckled, finding it adorable. Nagkatinginan kami ni North at nakitang

nakangiti rin siya.
"Does he always do that?" he asked and I nodded.

"Yes, mostly when he wants you to stay," I explained. "He's aloof with people but
he's clingy to those he's comfortable with."
Happiness filled his dark orbs. "So, you mean to say..."
"Hmm, he's comfortable with you," I explained with a smile. "He wants you to stay."
Tumitig siya at kahit 'di na niya sabihin ang pakay ay alam ko na.
"You can stay, sleep with him," I voiced out his thoughts and he looked thrilled
and excited.
"Can I?" he inquired.
"Of course." I gave him a soft smile. "Stefan will be very happy seeing you
tomorrow morning."
"Thank you, Ry," he said, his voice filled with sincerity kaya tumango ako.
"Let me get you some pillows," ani ko bago tumayo papunta sa cabinet para kuhaan
siya ng unan. I also changed the AC's settings before sitting on the side of the
bed and giving the pillows to him.
Inayos niya iyon sa may ulo niya. He even fixed Stefan's pillow too and lifted the
blankets again. I stared at him with our son, like he'd been a father for a long
time now.
"You can definitely be a father now," mahinang sabi ko kaya natigil siya at
napatitig sa akin.
"Hmm?"
"Wala." I chuckled lowly. "You just look adorable checking Stefan from time to
time. I'm just saying you'll be a great father. Well, even before. Mas pansin lang
ngayon kasi nand'yan na siya."
"You're a great mother too," North said, stopping me.
His eyes twinkled even in the dim lights inside the room. Dinig na dinig ko ang
paghinga niya.
"Pinalaki mo nang maayos ang anak natin. You're a great mother," he complimented
me, looking straight into my eyes.
"Good, oo. Pero great?" Nagkibit-balikat ako. "I have shortcomings, North. I guess
I'm not terrible but not great either."
"How can you say that?" His brows shot up.
"I was so busy these past few years I didn't even give him enough attention.
I went back and forth here in the Philippines to attend my family's gatherings—I
didn't even bring my son with me," mahinang sabi ko. "He developed his speech
problem, it's a psychological one as per his therapist, and she thinks it's because
I often left."
"Don't say that, Rylee." He shook his head, "You did your best for him. Ako nga
'yong wala e. I wasn't there while he's growing up."
It made me stop.
"I'm so sorry, North," I apologized again. "I know I've been saying this a hundred
times already but I am sorry for hiding him from you—from everyone. I should have
had the courage to tell you." Tumungo ako at muling sinulyapan ang anak.
"I pushed you away." He chuckled humorlessly. "It was my fault."
"It wasn't yours..." Halos bulong na iyon. "I lied to you and you're not to blame
when you couldn't believe me anymore."
He exhaled audibly. "Can this self-blaming bring back the time we lost before, Ry?"
Doon na ako nag-angat ng tingin. Nahuli ko ang kislap sa kanyang mata.
"Hindi," iling ko. "Pero may mali ako, may kasalanan ako."
"You owned up your mistakes," he told me. "And I did too. You're not the only one
to blame, I'm an asshole too. I'm sorry, Rylee. Will you forgive me?" The side of
his lips tugged up into a smile kaya natawa ako.
"There's nothing to apologize, really," I murmured. "But if that's what will give
you peace then okay, I forgive you."
"I forgive you too," he answered me back and showed me his palm. "Ceasefire?"
"Ceasefire talaga?" I chuckled and accepted his hand, trying so hard not be
affected with the electricity coming from his palm to mine. "Ceasefire," I repeated
and smiled back at him.
While shaking our hands, nagkatitigan kami. The warmth of his calloused palm lit a
fire inside me, so it was me who withdrew first and bit my lip.
"Oh, late na pala." I murmured while glancing at the clock. Tumayo ako at chineck
ang lagayan ng gatas ni Stefan. "North, if ever he wakes up hungry, nandito lang
'yong mga gatas. Marunong ka naman na magtimpla, 'di ba?"
I glanced his way and noticed his forehead's creasing. "What?"
"If ever he wakes up and looks for his milk, dito lang sa side table," I explained
and went to his side while his gaze followed me.
"What do you mean? Where are you going?"

"Sleeping?" I answered and looked at him.
"Yeah, but why did you have to say that?" He looked confused. "You're sleeping here
too—"
"O-Oh, no! No!" I shook my head abruptly. "Hindi ako rito. Dito lang kayong dalawa,
alam mo na ba ang number ko? If he cries a lot, call me—"
"We all fit in here, Ry," he insisted pero umiling lang akong muli at tumikhim.
"No, um...quality time n'yo kasing mag-ama," I told him. "Kaya ayaw kong
makaistorbo, hanap na lang akong guest room na bakante."
Mas lumalim ang gatla sa noo niya. He stared at me intently in the dark kaya
lumunok at pasimpleng tumalikod.
"Rylee Addison..."
"Tawagan mo na lang ako, ah? Lalakasan ko ang ringtone ko," I told him.
"Sige, North—"
A loud gasp left my lips when he gripped my wrist. Isang pihit at hila lang sa akin
ay bumagsak na ako sa kama.
"Oh my—!" I almost screamed, but he covered my mouth with his palm.
"Magigising ang anak natin," he murmured kaya sumulyap ako kay Stefan na medyo
gumalaw sa kanyang higaan.
I bit my inner cheek while waiting for him to wake up because of our sudden
movement, but fortunately, he went back to sleep.
"See?"
North's whisper made me jump. Muntik na akong mahulog pero umikot ang kanyang braso
sa baywang ko to steady me.
"North!" I hissed quietly, my cheeks heating up when I realized I was on top of

him, nakadapa sa kanyang dibdib habang lapit na lapit ang mga mukha.
"You cried earlier, didn't you?" he asked, his minty breath fanning my lips.
"No, of course not!" I shook my head. "Let me go, North. Matutulog ako—"
"You sleep here with us, Ry," he insisted seriously. "And why did you cry?"
"Nothing," iling ko. "I did not cry—"
"Uh-hmm." His voice turned raspy, making me shiver. "You may be good at lying
before but not now. I know your eyes well, baby."
Mas nagwala ang puso ko.
I closed my eyes and shook my head. "Oh, wala ka nang makita, hindi ba? E 'di wala
nang—"
"Rylee."
He said my name like it was a wish, making me open my eyes. I felt the intensity
his dark eyes were giving me.
"O-Oh?" I stuttered when I realized our faces were much closer now.
"I love you," he whispered over my lips, the genuine tone laced in it.
My heart pounded more, way louder than before. I could hear his deep breaths, I
could smell his natural scent, his shower gel—and damn it, I felt like it was
intoxicating me.
He loved me...that was what I wished before. His love.
"Don't say it—"
"I gotta let you know, Ry." Mas lumambing ang kanyang mata, nakatitig sa akin.
"I've been hiding this for years. Hell, I tried denying it, but I was in a circle.
My feelings for you are. Paikot-ikot pero..." Sumulyap siya sa labi ko. "Walang
katapusan."
Heart, please? Don't beat that hard. I can't breathe.
Dahil nakadapa nga ako sa kanyang dibdib ay ramdam ko ang tibok ng kanya.
Marahil ay gano'n din siya sa akin kaya umakma akong aalis.
"Pwede ba, North." I wiggled my body a bit. "Magising ang anak mo—"
"Don't move, Ry." His voice turned firm and stern.
"Huh?" Bumusangot ako. "Paanong hindi ako gagalaw, e hindi mo 'ko pinapakawalan?"
My brows shot up. "Let me go—"
"I said, stop wiggling!" tunog pagalit iyon pero ang hina ng kanyang boses dahil sa
anak.
"Bakit ba?" I wiggled more. "Ayaw mo 'kong pakawalan, e. Talagang gagalaw ako—"
"I have a fucking boner, Ry," he said flatly and my jaw dropped.
Sumabog ang init sa pisngi ko at nahiya. "W-What?!" I hissed. "The hell, North—"
"And you're wiggling again." He frowned. "Stop it or I'll kiss you."
I was frozen. Namilog ang mata ko sa litanya niya at doon na siya bumuntonghininga
at binagsak ulit ang ulo sa unan, pinagmamasdan ako.
"There, you stopped." He cursed under his breath. "Damn it, Rylee Addison.
You're the same temptress as before."
"Ano?" I gave him a disapproving look. "I was never a temptress—"
"Oh, you are, baby." Nakipagtitigan pa siya sa akin, "A very good one. You can make
me damn hard without even doing anything."
"Excuse me?!" Halos isigaw ko na iyon kung hindi lang naalala ang anak. "Alam ko
namang may charisma ako, North, okay? Pero hindi ko kasalanan na ganyan ka!"
"Ganyan?" Tumaas ang kilay niya at mas pinirmi ang kamay sa baywang ko, mukhang
relaxed pa. "Paanong ganyan?"
"'Y-Yan!" nguso ko.
"'Yan?" he asked again. "Care to explain, baby? I don't quite comprehend—"
"You're hard, North!" Bumusangot ako pero nag-iinit pa rin ang pisngi, lalo na nang
maramdaman siya. "Kasalanan ko ba kung masyadong malakas ang alindog ko para maakit
ka nang ganyan—"
"Only you can make me like this," he answered playfully, almost whispering to my
lips. "Remember before? I wonder where in my place we made Stefan, hmm?"
"Y-You..." Tinampal ko ang bibig niya gamit ang isang kamay ko pero tumawa lang
siya nang mahina.
"Come on, Ry. Try to remember—"
"Hindi tayo kagaya ng dati, okay?" reklamo ko na. "And besides, why are you acting
like a horny teenager, huh? It's not like you were alone these past years."
I was saying that lightly but the thought of him with girls—or Mia—pained me.
"It's not like I expected you to be alone," I mumbled.
"I was alone," he said.
"Come on, North," mahina kong sabi. "Who would believe that? You're a grown man.
Girls probably flocked to you just so you could take them. Besides, you have Mia."
"What?" he asked, his voice now more serious. "Anong kinalaman ni Mia rito?"
"She's your girlfriend," I said. "I know we have a son but this...right now.
This talk, me on top of you is not appro—"
"She's not my girlfriend, Rylee Addison," he said seriously, and it made me hope,
lalo na nang makitang seryoso ang kanyang mga mata pero ayoko nang umasa.
I made up my mind. You made up your mind, Rylee.
"I know the truth, North," seryoso kong sabi at pilit na lumayo sa kanya.
"She is not my girlfriend. She will never be." He sighed. "She's a friend—"
"I don't care, just let me go," I said, but he didn't. My brows furrowed.
"Let me go, North Dominic."
"I would never." He shook his head and I just sighed, ayaw nang makipag-away.
Slowly, his hold on my waist loosened, at kinuha ko iyong tiyansa para makatayo
mula sa katawan niya.
Naupo siya sa gilid ng kama. Inayos ko naman ang night dress ko at saglit na
nagsuklay bago siya tiningnan.
"Let's not talk that way again, North," mahinang paalala ko. "I don't want to
disrespect your girlfriend."
"She is not my girlfriend, how many times do I have to tell you?" he insisted,
exasperated, pero umiling lang ako at naglakad papunta sa kabilang side ng kama at
nahiga sa tabi ng anak habang nasa gitna namin siya.
"I'll stay here tonight...for Stefan," I said and stared at him. "Let's not talk
about this again, North. Your only responsibility is your son."
He let out a sigh. Ipinikit ko naman ang mata at marahang niyakap ang anak ko.
I felt the bed move, and I felt him lying down now. Halos mapamulat pa nang may
maramdamang hawak sa palad kong nakayakap sa anak ko. He caressed it gently,
lifting it a bit, before kissing the back of it.
"She's not my girlfriend, Ry," he said, almost in a whisper. "If you don't believe
me then okay. But I want to tell you that I will take responsibility of our son and
his mother."
"I am not your responsibility," sabat ko, nakapikit pa rin.
"Then, I am your responsibility, baby."
Doon na napamulat ang mata ko. Sinalubong ko siya ng iritadong tingin pero tumaas
lang ang sulok ng labi niya.
"Anong pinagsasabi mo?" irita kong baling.
"Let's say I accept your insistence that you are not my responsibility. But
you...you made me fall for you years ago until now, and I hold you responsible for
my heart," he proclaimed confidently. "Papanagutan mo ako, Rylee."
"You're insane," I hissed and closed my eyes, pulling my hand from his grip, and he
only cackled playfully.
"You're gonna take responsibility for me and I'll court you for sure, baby,"
he even teased, pero 'di na ako nagmulat at itinago ang mukha sa leeg ng anak para
'di na niya makita ang mukha kong namumula.
It was a miracle I fell asleep last night after that talk with North. It was
actually a peaceful sleep, hindi man lang umiyak si Stefan o nagising ng madaling-
araw kaya dire-diretso ang tulog ko.
Medyo naalimpungatan lang nang maramdaman ang hawak sa baywang ko at init sa may
leeg ko. I moved a bit more, letting my son nuzzle my neck to cuddle.
"Clingy baby," I whispered with a smile, my eyes still closed.
"Yeah, I'm a clingy baby," a hoarse voice answered back at mabilis na napamulat ang
mata ko.
A pair of deep and sensual black eyes met mine the moment I opened my eyes, and a
gasp left my lips.
"Holy..." Papagulong na sana ako sa kama sa gulat pero muli niyang hinuli ang
baywang ko at hinila palapit sa kanya.
My breath hitched when our chests touched, my eyes on his.

"N-North?" I whispered.
"Hmm?" he hummed, his lips tugging into a small smile. "Mornin', beautiful."
"A-Anong..." My voice shook. "Anong ginagawa mo rito? Si Stefan?"
"He's having breakfast with his grandparents downstairs," he answered.
"E, ikaw?" tanong ko habang nakatitig sa mga mata niya. "B-Bakit nandito ka?
You should be eating breakfast too."
"I was waiting for you," he answered and pulled me closer to him.
"What for?" I asked. "You should've woken me up instead. Why wait for me?"
"You looked deeply asleep and tired, so I didn't have the heart to wake you up," he
said hoarsely. "And you looked beautiful sleeping, I just wanted to stare and
watch."
It made my heart beat harshly. I won't lie and tell myself it didn't make me swoon
because it did, but I remembered how wrong it was.
I looked away and pulled his palm away from my waist.
"Ligo na ako," mahinang sabi ko at narinig ko ang buntonghininga niya pero hinayaan
din akong tumayo. Nilingon ko siya. "Mauna ka na mag-breakfast.
Thanks for waiting but taking a bath will take a while."
North sat on the bed and looked at me. Hindi naman na ako nagsalita pang muli at
tahimik na dumiretso sa banyo para maligo.
I stiffly walked towards the bathroom, kunwari'y walang pakialam pero nang tuluyan
nang makapasok at maisara iyon ay basta na lang napasandal sa pintuan, ipinipikit
nang mariin ang mga mata habang sapo ang dibdib.
Why are you doing this to me, North?
When I stepped out, fortunately, he wasn't there anymore. Pagkababa ko pa lang ay

nahanap na kaagad ako ni kuya.
"Morning, Kuya. Si Stefan?" I asked.
"Don't worry, he's fine." He chuckled. "Tuwang-tuwa ang mga lolo at lola.
Nandoon, dinala kanina pang umaga sa may dalampasigan. Pinasyal din yata nila sa
vacation house ng mga Alvarado."
"They have a vacation house here?" I asked, shocked.
"Yeah." He chuckled. "Kanina ko lang din nalaman. Turns out they bought one last
year."
"Hmm." I nodded. "Kumain na ba ang anak ko?"
"He did kanina," aniya. "Pinakain ng mga lola, aliw na aliw sila."
"Is he having fun?" I asked, a smile slowly etching on my face when he nodded.
"He's ecstatic, never seen him that hyper. Nag-enjoy yata makipagharutan kina dad
at tito." He tapped my back. "Kain ka na, Ry. Don't worry about Stefan, he's doing
great."
I nodded and smiled, nagpaalam ako papasok ng kusina pero natulos lang nang makita
si North na nakaupo rin doon. Kaagad siyang napatingin nang pumasok ako at ngumiti.
"I waited for you," he announced kaya ngumuso lang ako at 'di na sumagot.
I walked towards my seat, pero bago pa ako makakuha ng pagkain ay tumayo na si

North sa tabi ko at nilagyan ang plato ko.
"That..." I sighed. "I can do it, North."
"Let me." He smiled a little. "Let me serve you."
Hindi na ako umimik, nag-iinit man ang pisngi ay tumungo na lang ako para tingnan
ang baso ko. I stood and took the pitcher of orange juice, kinuha ko ang akin para
lagyan bago ang kanya at nakita ko ang tingin niya sa akin doon.
"Lalagyan ko lang kasi nilagyan mo 'ko ng food," depensa ko pang nahihiya at

tumango-tango siya, kinakagat-kagat ang ibabang labi para sa tagong ngisi.
Hindi naman siya umimik kaya binalingan ko na ang agahan ko. I started eating
quietly but his stare was making me feel shy and embarrassed. Noong pasubo na ako
ay bigla ko siyang nilingon na nahuli kong nakatitig.
"Can you quit staring?" sikmat ko bago bumasangot, pero tinawanan niya lang ako at
uminom ng juice.
Sumimangot naman ako at sinubo ang pagkain ko.
"Isa, North Dominic," I mumbled, but instead, he rested his arms on the table and
stared at me deeply and intently.
"Can't. You're really pretty blushing, baby," he answered and I coughed, startled.
Natakpan ko ang bibig ko at dali-dali naman niyang kinuha ang baso ng juice ko at
iniabot sa akin na halos hablutin ko na.
"You okay?" he asked, chuckling. "Calm down, you're turning crimson red."
I glared at him while drinking. Mas napatawa siya roon at binasa pa ang labi niya.
"They asked if they could have Stefan today, what do you want to do today?"
North asked.
"Wala," I answered. "Aantayin ko si Stefan—"
"Let's date," he offered.
"Ano? A-Ayaw ko nga!" Ngumiwi ako. "'Di ba, sinabi ko na sa 'yo—"
"Pagbigyan mo na, Ry. Baka umiyak."
We both stopped bickering when my brother entered the kitchen. He had the smug look
on his face as he took a pitcher of cold water from the refrigerator.
"Hear your brother, Ry?" gatong pa ng huli. "Pagbigyan mo na raw ako," ngisi niya.
"Seriously?" I hissed. "Are you two teaming up against me?"
"I'm not!" kuya even defended, pero bakas naman ang ngisi sa labi niya.
Uminom pa siya at sumandal sa may counter. "Ask him."
Bumaling ako kay North na nangingiti rin. "Aba, aba? Parang dati nag-away pa kayo,
ah? Ayaw pa nga ni kuya sa 'yo para sa akin tapos..."
"It's not like you're getting any younger, Ry," ani kuya kaya halos masakmal ko na
siya.
"You're saying I'm too old now?" simangot ko.

"No, no!" he laughed, at narinig ko rin ang tawa ni North kaya iritado ko siyang
sinipa.
"Pinagkakaisahan n'yo 'ko, e!" I whined.
"No, of course not!" North laughed. "Zoren's just saying na bagay tayo, 'di ba,
pare?" baling niya kay kuya na ginalaw ang kilay niya.
"Maka-pare 'to," kuya hissed at him. "Bati na tayo pero naiinis pa rin ako sa
'yo, North. You court my sister well, okay? Kapag 'yan pinaiyak mo, itatago ko ulit
sila ni Stefan sa 'yo."
Bumusangot bigla ang kaibigan niya at doon na natatawang umayos ng tayo si kuya.
"Hayaan mo manligaw, Ry. Pero pahirapan mo," kuya suggested and messed with my
hair. "O kung gusto mo, huwag mo na sagutin."
"Zoren..." North threatened pero sumaludo lang si kuya at ngumisi bago namulsa.
Pagkatalikod ay sumipol pa paalis na parang walang nangyari.
When he disappeared, North's gaze met mine again. When he smiled, I rolled my eyes
and focused on my food. Hindi ko na siya kinakausap sa sobrang pangungulit kung
pwede ba niya akong i-date.
Seriously, North Dominic? Yayayain ng date—ako na patay na patay sa kanya noon?
That quick vacation ended without us even realizing it. Stefan was really happy
meeting everyone, he wanted his father all the time who attended to him every
passing second. On the very first day we got back to Manila, his grandparents asked
us if they could have Stefan for another day.
Nag-aalangan pa nga ako noong una pero gustong-gusto ng anak ko kaya hinayaan ko
na. Ayos lang din kay North iyon kaya ang dami-dami kong paalala habang nasa kanila
ang anak ko na parang 'di naman ako mami-miss.
"Nasanay kasi sa 'yo, Ry," Liam teased.
"Haler, ako ang mama?" nguso ko. "Kumaway lang siya sa akin at kiss tapos ayon na,
wala na. hindi man lang ba ako mami-miss ng anak ko?" malungkot kong sabi.
"Loko." He laughed and put his arm on my shoulder. "You spent years with Stefan
alone so I guess a new environment made him excited. Lalo na at may kaharutan
siyang mga lalaki, binilhan pa nga ng maraming laruan ng mga lolo, sinong 'di
matutuwa? Kung ako rin anak mo tapos bibigyan ako ng laruan, baka kaya ko rin
kalimutan na mama kita."
"Ano?!" I smacked his stomach, dumaing siya pero maya-maya'y tawang-tawa na naman.
"Joke lang." He chuckled. "Hayaan mo, bukas, hahanapin ka na ulit niyan."
Napangiti na ako roon at tumango, "Sabagay, ganyan din siya do'n sa vacation house.
Akala ko 'di na ako hahanapin pero kinabukasan ayaw na humiwalay."
"See?" He messed with my hair. "Saan nga pala kayo tutuloy?" he asked.
That stopped me, inaya ko siyang paupo sa labas ng resto malapit sa agency para
magpahangin. Kagagaling lang kasi namin sa trabaho, may modeling project lang, and
as usual, he was my partner. Nagkayayaan kumain ng dinner kaya nandito.
"Hindi ko pa alam, Liam," mahinang sagot ko. "Our parents think we have a
relationship, kagaya nga noong kwento ko sa 'yo. It would've been weird if we tell
them na kakaalam lang din ni North ang tungkol kay Stefan, so we lied.
Now, they're urging me to live with him with our son."
"And North?" he asked.
"Hmm, he isn't forcing me. Hinihintay niya ang desisyon ko tungkol d'yan."
"Ayos lang ba sa 'yo?" he asked and I nodded, sighing.

"Oo, anything for my son, Liam. It's not like it's the first time I'm living with
him. May anak na ako, gusto kong masaya siya, at malulungkot iyon at magtataka kung
hindi namin kasama ang papa niya."
"E, paano ka?" he asked. "Won't you give him a chance for you? I know and I can see
you're still into him."
"Pero 'di naman na ako kasali rito, Liam," iling ko. "He might be doing this
because of Stefan. Sinabi ko na nga sa kanyang ang anak niya lang ang
responsibilidad niya at hindi ako pero..."
"He's in love with you, Ry," he cut me off. "Don't you want to try?"
"I don't want to cage him in unwanted responsibility anymore," iling ko pa.
"Then tell me," he said. "What if he wants you to cage him?"
I suddenly recalled the things he told me—about me taking responsibility for his
heart because I made him fall in love.
"Ayoko na umasa, Liam," bulong ko at sumulyap sa harapan kung nasaan ang parking
lot. "I heard a lot about him and Mia."
Not a moment after I said that, I saw a familiar car parking in front the
restaurant we were in. Nakatayo na kami ni Liam para bumalik sana sa building
pero ang mata ko'y naiwan sa sasakyan. Bumukas iyon at kumalabog ang puso ko nang
makita si North na papalabas pero kaagad na napawi nang magbukas ang kabilang side
at lumabas doon si Mia na bahagyang nanlaki ang mata nang makita ako.
North even stopped when he saw me.
"Rylee," he said, stunned.

Natahimik ako saglit. I glanced at their clothes and realized they were in formal
attire for tonight, as if they were on a date.
"Good evening," I greeted formally. I felt Liam's hand on my waist.
North stopped, the soft and gentle glint on his eyes vanished and was replaced by
an annoyed gaze. His jaw clenched, his eyes dropped on my waist where Liam's palm
is.
"Oh, Rylee!" Mia smiled mischievously. "Long time no see, ah? How are you?
Date kayo ng boyfriend mo?"
"No," iling ko at prenteng ngumiti. "Liam and I just had dinner after work.
Kayo? Date?" matabang kong tanong sabay sulyap kay North na mukhang wala sa sarili
at nakatitig pa rin sa baywang ko.
"Oh, halata ba?" Mia chuckled and tucked her hair behind her ear. "Nag-aya kasi
itong—"
"We are having a formal meeting with a possible investor," North cut her off, still
with his jaw clenched. "They are friends with Ms. Santiago here, so I brought her."
Mia's smile faded but it came back. "Y-Yeah, but this is also a date, right?"
"It's a formal meeting," he said coldly and glanced our way, his brows almost
meeting each other. "What 'bout you? Dinner date?"
Oh, oh? Bakit tunog masungit?
I opened my mouth to answer but Liam squeezed my waist.
"Hmm, dinner date," he answered with a smirk. "Ry was hungry so I spoiled her a
bit." He playfully pinched my nose kaya namilog ang mata ko.
"Liam—"
"Anyway, we gotta go," he said, and before I could even say anything, he pulled me
away from them.
"Liam," I whispered, "anong ginagawa mo?"
"Shh, don't look back. He's fuming mad at me." He laughed in my ear. "He's into
you. He's damn jealous—"
"I will fetch you after this, Rylee." Natigilan kaming dalawa sa paglalakad nang
marinig ang malamig na boses ni North. "We are going to visit our son, baby."
Parang may humalukay sa sikmura ko at napalunok ako nang marahas.
"Huwag kang lilingon," Liam said kaya pumikit ako nang mariin.
"I'll wait for you at the parking," pahabol pa ng istriktong boses ni North pero
'di ko na sinagot dahil tinangay na akong palayo ni Liam.
When we got back in the building, I noticed the weather. Umambon kanina noong
pabalik kami pero ngayon ay malakas na ang ulan.
"I'm really sorry I have to go, Rylee." Liam sighed. "I just have to fetch my mom
at the airport kasi ako ang pinakamalapit. Ang lakas kasi ng ulan, na-stuck sa may
baha 'yong driver."
"It's okay." I smiled. "I can handle this. Ulan lang 'yan. I can take a cab or
something. Sunduin mo na si tita, send my regards, hmm?"
When he left, I stayed in the building for a while para sana maghintay na tumila
ang ulan, pero sa halip na mawala ay mas lumakas lang. Employees flocked the
waiting zone to try hailing a cab, pero dahil medyo nagbabaha na raw ay punuan at
hindi bumabiyahe ang ibang sasakyan.
"Good evening po, Ma'am Rylee. Wala po ba kayong sundo? Ang lakas ng ulan, oh?" the
guard asked.
"Good evening po," I answered back. "Wala po, e. Na-stuck po yata at may baha. Pila
na lang po ako."
"Naku, mahihirapan po kayo, Ma'am. Pero sige po, ingat!"
I smiled and nodded. Muli akong bumaling sa daan at natantong mababasa talaga ako
nito.
I sighed, kinagat ang labi at akmang tatakbo sa kabilang parte para makipila rin
para makauwi, pero may pumaradang sasakyan sa may 'di kalayuan.
It was a flashy car. Unang tingin ay alam ko na kaagad kung sino iyon kaya inikot
ko ang tingin ko para maghanap ng tataguan.
The door opened. Nakita kong nagbukas ng payong ang nasa loob kaya suminghap ako.
I took a step forward, trying to run away, when I heard his voice.
"Where are you going, baby?" His voice was too loud so everyone could hear.
Kinagat ko ang labi at 'di siya pinansin.
I had to escape...I had to—
"Our son wants to talk to you," aniya at naipikit ko na ang mata, lalo na nang
makitang nabalingan na ako ng mga tao sa paligid.
Of course he was well-known! At ako naman...

"North—"
He pulled my waist gently towards him and shifted my body. My eyes dropped closed
when I slammed into his chest.
"You waited," he whispered in my ear.
Nagmulat ako ng mata, I pushed him lightly so he would get off me but he didn't.
Hinuli niya lang ulit ang pulsuhan ko at hinaplos iyon.
"Let's go home, it's flooding," he said.
"Kaya kong umuwi, North," I reasoned and moved away.
"Ihahatid kita—"
"Bakit hindi mo ihatid ang girlfriend mo?" malamig kong sabi pero kumunot ang noo
niya.
"I said I have no girlfriend, Rylee," mahinang sagot niya sa akin. "Unless you say
yes to my courting now—"
"Tara na nga!" I hissed, irritated and annoyed.
I marched towards his car, medyo nabasa pa ako sa biglaang ginawa pero bigla akong
inakbayan ni North at isiniksik ako sa katawan niya.
"Ano ba?" I sneered.
"Tss, careful. You'll get damn wet, Rylee," reklamo niya kaya napalabi na lang ako
at 'di na nagreklamo nang akbayan niya ako habang pinapayungan papunta sa sasakyan
niya.
Tahimik lang ako sa buong biyahe. Iritado pa rin sa nakita kanina.
"You're quiet," he noticed and started the car.
Hindi ako kaagad nakaimik, pinakialaman ko ang stereo niya sa loob at nakinig ng
kanta habang nasa biyahe.
Like expected, it was flooded.
"What now?" I sighed. "May iba pa bang way papunta sa condo?" I asked and glanced
his way pero umiling lang siya at tumitig sa traffic.
"This is the only way." He sighed. "We'll get stuck if we wait for it. Doon na lang
muna tayo sa bahay ko."
My eyes widened. "What?!" I exclaimed. "Ayoko!"
"The only place we can pass is towards my house, Rylee. It's a ten-minute drive
from here," he said seriously. "Sige, maghihintay tayo rito para buong gabi tayong
magkatabi—"
"Oo na! Oo na!" I hissed, "B-Basta uuwi ako kapag tumila na, ah?!"
North's brows shot up but he didn't say anything, may tagong ngiti pa bago
pinasibat ang sasakyan sa kabilang daan kaya nakawala kami sa pila ng mga sasakyan
doon dahil sa baha.
Nakahalukipkip ako at nag-iisip nang magsalita siya.
"What would you like for dinner? I'll cook."

"Busog na ako," mahina kong sagot, ni hindi siya tinitingnan.
"Really, huh? What did your boyfriend feed you for dinner?" he asked me, sounding
annoyed.
"Pagkain, malamang?" sabat ko. "Ikaw ba, anong pinakain mo sa girlfriend mo?"
"She is not my girlfriend, Rylee Addison," he spat, his eyes went to me and back to
the road drenched with water.
"Not a girlfriend." Natawa ako. "Balita ko nga, ikakasal na kayo nitong nakaraan—"
"I've never agreed to that wedding." His forehead creased. "I never said yes to
that."
"Oh?" Natawa pa ako ulit. "they've been asking you about a wedding—"
"I'll only be wedded to you, Rylee," seryosong turan niya kaya natahimik na ako.
"And I don't have a girlfriend. You should break up with your fucking boyfriend too
—"
"Liam is not my boyfriend, okay?" sikmat ko. "He's a friend!"
"Oh, yeah?" he spat and pressed on a remote. Pagtingin ko ay nagbukas ang garahe ng
isang magarang bahay kaya lumabi ako. "Mia's a friend too, ilang beses ko bang
sasabihin sa 'yo?"
"You know what?" I heaved a sigh. His car stopped. "Why don't we both shut up and
forget about this conversation?"
"Why?" He frowned. "Because he's really your boyfriend?"
"You're a jerk," iritado kong sabi. "Ikaw nga itong girlfriend ang Mia mo.
Bakit 'di na lang siya ang hinatid mo at baka mabasa ang pinakamamahal mong
girlfriend?"
"Really, huh? Then your boyfriend should have brought you home! It would be a shame
if his loving girlfriend got wet and stuck in the rain—"
"Damn you," mariing sabi ko at walang pasabing lumabas ng sasakyan.
He cursed loudly, he called me my name but I didn't look back.
I got drenched but I didn't care, nangingilid na ang luha sa galit at irita sa
nangyayari. He had a girlfriend yet he was still making me hope we were possible!
"Rylee Addison!" North exclaimed.
"Shut up!"
"Are you jealous?!"
What he said stopped me. Sa sobrang emosyon ay 'di ko na napigilan ang sariling
lingunin siya.
"Oo, bakit?!" I screamed, basang-basa na. "Yes, I am jealous, what it is to you,

huh?!"
Hindi siya umimik. Pumirmi ang kanyang labi, basang-basa na rin ng ulan kagaya ko.
"Why are you jealous, huh? You still in love with me?" he challenged and took a
step closer.
"E, ano naman kung oo?!" I exclaimed, couldn't stop myself anymore. He took another
step but I stayed still, glaring his way. "Ano ngayon kung mahal pa kita, ah? Ano
ngayon kung nagseselos ako, huh?! Wala ka nang pakialam dapat dahil may girlfriend
ka!"
"You have a damn boyfriend too, Rylee!"
"I said I don't!" I hissed to his face, my eyes stinging.
"And I don't have one too." He sighed and caught my wrist. "How can you not
possibly believe me, Ry? I'm in love with you, okay?"
My eyes met his. I was beginning to feel emotional kaya ipinikit ko ang mata.
"S-Stop lying..." I muttered. "I know y-you're doing this for our son—"
"I'm in love with you, Rylee." He reached for my cheek, staring intently into my
pained eyes. "Please, will you believe me, hmm?"
"N-North..." I gulped. "That's—"
He tilted my chin and lowered his head, claiming my lips fully to shut me up before
moving away.
"I love you..." he whispered and licked his lower lip. "Damn it. You being jealous
made me so turned on but I couldn't bear seeing you that way," he murmured and
lowered his head again for a kiss.
This time, I kissed him back.
www.wattpad.com
35 - 44 minutes
Chapter 30
Heat dominated our bodies despite the cold rain with that kiss. He took a step
back, still kissing me. His hand was on my cheek with the other one was on my
waist, pulling me.
I felt my back press against concrete and realized it was a door when North moved
away briefly to check his pockets.
"Where are my damn keys?" he whispered in such haste and desperation.
My mouth parted while watching his serious face looking for his keys. Bagsak ang
kanyang maayos na buhok kanina sa noo dahil sa basa siya.
Dahil nga basa kaming dalawa ay kitang-kita ko ang hubog ng katawan sa dress shirt
niyang suot. Ang kanyang balikat, dibdib, braso...my eyes got stuck on his lips and
I felt something inside me when he shifted his gaze back to me.
With parting lips, his eyes landed on mine as he sensually moistened his lower lip.
"Sorry, baby." He sighed. Napapikit ako ng mata nang muli niya akong salubungin ng
halik niya pero nabitin lang bigla nang lumayo siya.
"North?" I whispered, and he smirked and touched my cheek.

"I think I dropped my keys in the car," aniya. "Wait for me here. I'll be quick."
He went to his parked car hastily and came back showing it to me. "I got it!"
he even said cheerily and took my hand.
He opened the door, and when we got inside, I didn't even have a chance to look
around because he suddenly pulled me closer to his body. North gripped my butt and
kissed me fully on the lips until the fire lit again, consuming us.
Ni hindi na kami nakarating sa kwarto sa lalim ng halikan. It had been years since
I was this intimate with him kaya ngayon ay pareho kaming sabik na sabik sa isa't
isa. His hand found its way to take off my dress, almost pulling it harshly out of
body while I unbuttoned his shirt.
Nahulog ako ng upo sa malapad na sofa, sa hita niya nang mapaupo siya roon.
Iniangat niya ang dalawang hita ko hanggang sa nakaharap na ako sa kanya nang
tuluyan. One harsh move and my brassiere was tossed somewhere. I kept on
unbuttoning his shirt, untucking it from his trousers while he massaged my peaks.
"O-Oh, North..." hapo kong tawag at medyo tinulak siya mula sa paghalik sa leeg ko.
"Hmm?" he hummed, a bit disoriented.

"Your shirt," bulong ko kaya tumaas ang sulok ng labi niya, tinulungan ako sa
pagtanggal ng tuluyan ng damit niya at hinagis iyon kung saan.
My body arched back when he lowered his head and captured my peak in his mouth,
suckling on it hungrily.
"Shit..." I cursed under my breath, touching his bare shoulder and moving my hips,
thrusting against his hardened member.
"Fuck, Rylee." He hummed against my chest and lowered his hand to my undies.
"You're damn wet, baby."
"We're both wet," bulong ko. "Naulanan tayo, North Dominic."
"Uh-huh?" His lips rose when he saw my naughty smile. "Of course, we both
are...because of the rain, huh?"
"Because of the rain," bulong ko at inabot ang pisngi niya sabay sapo at halik sa
kanya.
He gripped my waist tighter when our lips met for a wet kiss, his tongue played
with mine—memorizing each other's hidden corners, every side of it.
I thrusted my hips against his while straddling him, feeling how he grew harder and
bigger underneath. I dry humped him and he did the same to me.
Kung hindi lang siguro kami halos maputulan ng hininga ay hindi pa kami matitigil.
"Damn it, Ry!" His hoarse voice hissed when I didn't stop humping on him.
Napasandal ang ulo niya sa likod ng sofa, nakapikit habang hawak ang baywang ko
habang nasa ibabaw niya ako.
"Faster, baby..." bulong niya kaya mas humawak ako sa kanyang balikat at mas pinag-
igihan ang ginawa.
When I felt my release despite the clothes separating our naked bodies, I felt
spent. Kumawala ang ungol sa labi ko nang maramdaman iyon at napasandal sa balikat
niya.
"Shit, Ry..." bulong niya sabay halik sa pisngi ko. "You came?"
"H-Hmm..." I nodded shyly and he chuckled lowly and licked my ear.
"I love you," bulong niya. "Let's continue this on the bed."
Hindi na ako nakaalma nang walang hirap niya akong nabuhat habang nakaupo ako sa
kanyang hita. He gripped my butt and I encircled my legs on his waist and kissed
him while he walked.
Muntikan pa kaming mahulog sa hallway at hagdan dahil hindi kami mapaghiwalay kaya
nagkatinginan kami.
"Muntik na..." maliit kong sabi at sabay kaming napatawa roon.
"Because you're insatiable," he commented and wiggled his brows playfully.

I shook my head, mas inayos niya ang buhat sa akin at wala pang ilang saglit ay
naroon na kami sa kanyang kwarto at nagpapalitan ng halik. He feasted on my breasts
while touching my femininity against my underwear.
"N-North..." I called desperately. "Inside me, please..."
"Your wish is my command, baby." North even smirked naughtily and knelt in front of
my parted legs. He unbuckled his belt and I stared at his ripped body.
His hardened abdomen turned me on even more, his biceps and triceps stretching when
he threw his belt somewhere and unbuttoned his trousers.
I lifted my legs, at mas dumilim ang tingin niya nang titigan ko siya habang
mabagal na hinuhubad ko ang underwear.
"You temptress..." he cursed when I smirked and parted my legs in front of him. He
ogled me. "Damn it, Rylee Addison."
A small laugh escaped my mouth when North stood abruptly and removed his trousers
with his boxers. I was enjoying teasing him around, but it vanished when I saw his
proud member in front of me.
"Oh my..." I mumbled and bit my lower lip.
"Look what your teasing could do to me," bulong niya.
I was shy and flustered, but I wanted to give him back the teasing he was giving me
kaya ipinantukod ko ang dalawang siko sa kama at malambing na ngumiti.
"Just admit you're head over heels to me, baby," I said seductively and bit my
lower lip. "Aren't you?"
His jaw clenched, tilting his head—he looked at me darkly and lustfully.
"Oh, to hell I am." He smirked and moistened his lower lip. "I'm head over heels
you, Rylee Addison. You tease. Admit you are too, to me."
"Uh-hmm?" I teased. "Sure ka?"
"Oh, you little tease..." His lips formed a firm line.
Napatawa ako nang mabakas ang gigil niya, tila mapuputol na ang pisi dahil sa pang-
aasar ko. I watched him stroke himself while kneeling in front of my parted legs.
"You're so horny, North," komento ko pa at tinagilid niya ang ulo para titigan ako.
"I was celibate for years, what do you expect me feel?" he asked me nonchalantly
kaya namilog ang mata ko.
"What?" I gasped. "You were what?!"
"I told you, I was alone, Ry," he said and parted my legs wider, binasa niya ang
daliri at napasinghap ako nang maramdaman ang daliri niyang iyon sa gitna ko.
"You m-mean to say..." I heaved a breath. "You had n-no girls?"
"You're my only girl," he said. "You made me fall so hard I couldn't even move on.
Did you enjoy making me jealous, hmm?"
"What?" Kumunot ang noo ko. "When did I make you jealous? Kahit kailan—"
"Countless suitors you dated and that Liam—"
"Liam is a friend, okay?" busangot ko na.
"And Mia's a friend," he pointed out at nagkatitigan kami at sabay na nag-irapan.

"Tss...friend—"
"Oh, come on, we're seriously fighting in the middle of..." He lowered his head
kaya nag-init ang pisngi ko nang matantong ang awkward pala ng posisyon namin.
I was on the bed with my legs spread widely apart, and he wa kneeling in the
center, stroking his member.
"North?" I said, and a pair of dark orbs stared back at me. "Are you horny?"
"I am, Ry. Obviously." His jaw clenched more kaya medyo naupo na ako at hinila siya
palapit, kasabay n'on ay ang paghuli ko sa labi niya.
"How about mad?" I asked and stared at his eyes.
"Obviously." His lips formed a firm line, making me laugh.
"Then how about we melt your anger away, baby?" I whispered on his lips. "How about
I make you hornier instead? And...tame your anger..." baling ko sa kaibigan niya
roon.
"Damn it, Ry," he murmured and suddenly laughed before lowering his head and kissed
me. "I love you, okay? A fight in bed sounds more pleasing, don't you think?"
"Hmm..." I nodded and smiled against his lips. "I like it more."
"Then..." He bit my lower lip teasingly, licking it before lying beside me.
"Then ride me."
The heat burned and spread inside me like wildfire—unstoppable. Mabilis akong naupo
sa kanya at isang mura ang nasabi niya nang magtagpo kami.
Moans filled every side of his room while we were connected and I was riding him.
He gripped my waist and help me move up and down on him while he thrusted back
beneath.
Ang langitngit ng kama at ungol naming dalawa ay mas malakas pa yata sa ulan sa
labas. Natuyo na lang kaming dalawa roon at nakatapos pero hindi pa siya tapos sa
akin.
When he asked me to take a shower with him, he ended up fucking me while I was bent
with my palms on the wall underneath the warm water. After that, he carried me to
the sink and took me there too, he was just unstoppable!
"Napagod ka, Ry?" natatawang bulong niya habang niyayakap ako sa likuran at nakaupo
kami sa bathtub na dalawa. I rested my back on his broad chest and he kissed my
hair.
"Obvious ba, North?" nakapikit kong tanong. "You took me thrice!"
"Gusto mo gawin nating apat?" he whispered playfully and I opened my eyes, slapped
his leg soaked in the tub.
"Magpahinga ka naman!" reklamo ko. "I'm sore, okay?"
"Oh, sorry, my baby..." he touched my stomach again and buried his face on my
shoulder, giving it butterfly kisses. "I love you, Rylee."
"Hmm," I hummed with a smile, the mixing feeling of peace and love inside my heart.
"Hmm lang?" tila bata niyang tanong. "Walang 'I love you too, North ko?'"
"North ko..." I murmured and opened my eyes before glancing his way kaya umayos
siya ng upo.
Nagkatinginan kaming dalawa. Mukha siyang bata habang nakatitig sa akin at

naghihintay ng sasabihin ko kaya sinapo ko ang pisngi niya.
"You missed me calling you North ko?" mahinang sabi ko at tumango siya nang maliit,
bagsak na bagsak pa rin ang basang buhok sa noo.
"It's only you who calls me that, I missed it, baby," he said. "No one has called
me that for years."
"North ko..." bulong ko at napangiti, nangingilid na naman ang luha habang

nakatitig sa malambing niyang mga mata, "I-I missed it, too."
His dark orbs softened more, inabot niya ang pisngi ko at may pinunasan doon.
"Why are you crying this time, Rylee ko?" he asked and I stifled a small laugh.
"R-Rylee ko..." I mumbled. "H-How adorable."
"You are adorable." North pinched my cheek and smiled. "I love you, Ry. I missed
you."
Ibinaba ko ang kamay ko mula sa kanyang pisngi at muling bumalik sa pwesto kong
nakasandal sa dibdib niya. Nasapo ko ang mukha at bumuntonghininga siya nang
napahikbi ako.
"Shh, it's okay." He hummed. "I'm in love with you."
"N-North, sorry ulit..." bulong ko. "I was wrong."
"Hmm..." He nodded. "Let it out, I will listen, baby."
"I-I loved you for a long time and then suddenly, I heard you were getting engaged
to Mia so I couldn't help myself. I was so desperate I couldn't think of anything
but lie," mahinang sabi ko, "I deceived you, binigyan kita ng responsibilidad na
hindi dapat..."
"After what happened to us that night, I planned to take responsibility of you,"
bulong niya kaya natahimik ako at mabilis siyang nilingon.
"W-What?" I murmured.
He smiled faintly, his eyes turning bloodshot too—mirroring mine.
"I was so embarrassed to admit it, but I chickened out." He lifted his hand and
dried my tears with his thumb. "I was waiting for the right time to talk to your
brother, your family."
"What do you mean?" mahinang sabi ko.
He sighed and brushed my hair out of my face.
"It might sound crazy but I liked what happened to us before," he said. "That
night...I was drunk, I admit. I shouldn't have done that because I was drunk but I
lost my grip and...you know."
"I know what I'm doing, North Dominic," seryoso ko nang sinabi. "I'm not a minor or
anything, you even told me it was a mistake—"
"Because it was, Ry," he said seriously. "Your brother warned me not to get
involved with you. He's a friend and I respect you so it was wrong."
"So..." Bumakas ang sakit sa mata ko. "Ano 'tong ngayon? Bakit pa tayo—"
"Listen, baby." North cupped my cheek and looked at me with his serious eyes.
"Would you hate me if I told you I once planned to use that to get you?"
"H-Huh?" Umawang ang labi ko.

"It was wrong to take advantage of you in my drunk state that way, but something
happened between us. I was thinking of telling your family or your brother so I
could take responsibility of you."
"Seriously?!" I exclaimed and he smiled shyly and nodded a little.
"Don't hate me..." he said pero napatawa lang ako.
"Good job!" I exclaimed kaya umawang na ang labi niya.
"Ry—"
I pressed a kiss on his lips and held his hand.
"If ever you did that, North ko, okay lang sa akin," I said happily at napatitig
siya sa akin bago ngumuso at nagnakaw ng halik.
"But you announced your pregnancy, and I was shocked but alright. I would've taken
responsibility no matter what," bulong niya pa. "A cowardly move, but I crushed on
you too way back when you were still pretending to get lost at the college
department."
"North!" I exclaimed and he laughed and hugged me again from the back, showering my
neck and my shoulders with his teasing kisses.
"Don't cry, Ry," bulong niya. "We were both crushing on each other before.
You're just the brave one—voicing your feelings. Me, I was the coward. I didn't
even want to admit I admired you."
"Galit ka ba sa akin...noong nalaman mong hindi ako buntis?" I asked and he stayed
quiet for a while before nodding on my shoulder.
"Oo," he whispered. "I was disappointed, Ry. I was actually planning so much for
our family, for our baby. For you. You know, I invested in companies just so I
could get more funds, para kapag may pamilya na tayo, 'di ka mahihirapan."
"North..." I whispered. "I'm so sorry..."
"It's okay now, we have our Stefan," aniya. "I was wrong too. I didn't listen when
you told me you were pregnant that time, naunahan ako ng emosyon."
"How did you find out?" I asked and rested my back on his chest more.
"Mia," he whispered kaya napaayos ako ng upo at nilingon siya.
"H-How?" I asked, startled. "I was about to tell you that night about it, h-how did
she find out?"
"A friend of hers was in the restaurant where you and your friends were." I gasped
when I remembered. "Nasabi sa kanya at sinabi niya sa akin. I didn't want to
believe her at first, I never intended to believe it, but I got suspicious of you.
Lalo na noong hindi ka pumunta sa schedule mo tapos nawala
'yong ultrasound picture."
I sighed and nodded. "Karma ko na 'yon. I really don't like Mia but I'm somehow
glad she told you the truth."
"Why so?" He tilted his head and watched my reaction.
"My lies stopped. I was deceiving everyone—even my closest friends, so what she did
somehow became my wake-up call," marahang sabi ko. "Lahat ng maling gagawin mo'y
babalik talaga sa 'yo. I accept my mistakes, North, and I want to make it up for
it."
"I forgive you, Ry," he murmured and touched my cheek with the back of his palm.
"Each day that passed with me missing you, the anger vanished. Nagsisi pa nga ako
at hindi kita inintindi. Pride got me so I watched you silently whenever you were
here. What your brother said about your boys in the States didn't help my jealously
at all."
"Thank you, North," mahinang sabi ko at ipinikit ang mata. "For forgiving me.
Are you sure this isn't just because of Stefan?"
"Hmm, nope." North tapped my chin kaya nagmulat ako. "Our son is a bonus but I was
planning on pursuing you again when you came back here. Kaya nga kita sinundo sa
airport."
"Oh?" Napangiti ako. "Ikaw ha..." I pinched his cheek. His smile brightened.
"Imagine how shocked I was because of Stefan." He sighed. "I should've put my pride
aside and pursued you earlier. Baka maaga pa lang ay nakasama ko na ang mag-ina
ko."
He switched me again, muli siyang sumubsob sa balikat ko at humaplos sa tiyan ko

paakyat sa dibdib ko at sinapo niya iyon.
"I hope you give me a chance, Ry," he whispered in my ear. "All those years I spent
with my pride intact, I was missing you like crazy. I'm sorry for not being vocal
about my feelings for you. I am so sorry for not listening. Kung sana marunong lang
ako makinig ng paliwanag mo...sana nakasama ko kayong dalawa ng anak natin. Sana,
sana hindi ka nahirapang magpalaki sa kanya mag-isa."
North's voice broke. Kinagat ko nang mariin ang labi ko at nangilid na naman ang
luha nang mas nagtago siya sa leeg ko at maya-maya'y naramdaman ko ang basa roon—
hindi mula sa tubig kung hindi mula sa mga mata niya.
"I'm so sorry, baby," he whispered desperately. "Please, please, give me a chance

to make up to you and Stefan. Wala si Mia, she's my friend. I swear to you, she's
only a friend. K-Kung gusto mo, lalayuan ko siya—"
"Don't..." iling ko at hinawakan ang kamay niya sa ilalim ng tubig. "I just can't
help but be jealous but I understand now. Liam's a friend too, okay?"
"Hmm..." he hummed and sniffed. "S-Seselos lang ako, Ry. I-Inaakbayan ka niya, s-
siya 'yong kasama ninyo ng anak natin no'ng lumalaki siya. N-No'ng nahihirapan ka,
nand'yan siya t-tapos ako itong wala..."
I closed my eyes and felt a tear fall again, napahikbi na ako nang humikbi siya at
mas niyakap ako.
"H-Hindi na ako magiging sobrang seloso. Hindi na a-ako torpe, promise.
Please, give me a chance to make it up to you and Stefan. Mahal na mahal ko kayong
dalawa," he whispered. "Kayong dalawa ang buhay ko."
I shifted my body, and when he let me go, I cupped both of his cheeks.
"North ko, tingin ka sa akin," malambing kong turan kaya unti-unti, nagmulat siya.
Bakas ang luha roon, his eyes were bloodshot so it pained me. "I did something
wrong, and you did, too. I forgive you."
"I forgive you too, baby," he said and put his forehead against mine. "M-Mahal
kita. Mahal na mahal kita, Ry."
"Let's be better and w-work on this relationship together, hmm? P-Para kay Stefan?"
He nodded and kissed the tip of my nose.
"Para kay Stefan. Para sa 'yo. Para sa atin," bulong niya at pinakatitigan ako.
"I'll be better. Let's work this out, hmm?"
"We will," bulong ko at hinalikan siya nang mababaw, pero kaagad siyang gumanti at
hinawakan ang batok ko.
"North ko," I cut him off when our kiss deepened. Ang naguguluhan niyang mata ay
tumitig kaya kinagat ko ang labi ko at maliit na ngumiti sa kanya. "G-Gusto mo ng
fourth round?"
He burst out laughing. Napatili ako at natawa nang atakihin niya ako ng halik bago
ako paupuin sa kandungan niya habang nasa loob ng tub, pinipindot ang kung ano roon
para mawala ang tubig.
"Ride me, baby." He smirked playfully and kissed me fully.

I woke up sore and spent after those sessions with this insatiable man.
"Ngingiti-ngiti mo r'yan?" sita kong natatawa nang nahuling nakatitig siya sa akin
habang umiinom ng kape. Nakaupo ako sa harapan niya at tinatali ang buhok.
"My baby's pretty in the morning," he commented with a lopsided smile. "Every damn
time, actually. Kahit walang makeup, maganda."
"Model kaya ito?" I flipped my hair playfully, making him a smile.
"Our Stefan's handsome because he got it from his beautiful mother."
"Sa 'yo kaya," nguso ko. "Alam mo ba, North ko, noong medyo lumaki na si Stefan,
kitang-kita ko ang mukha niyang hawig sa 'yo. As in! Napapaisip ako kung saan ang
mukha ko roon."
Napatawa siya, alam ko kaagad ang iniisip kaya nailing ako.
"You're probably thinking he looks a lot like you, correct?" Tinaasan ko siya ng
kilay.
"Well..." He shrugged kaya mas sumimangot ako at sinipa siya sa ilalim ng upuan.
Mas natawa siya, North walked towards me in a heartbeat and hugged me tightly. He
kissed my face numerous times, making me scream and laugh at the same time.
"Sabi nila, Ry, kung sino raw ang pinakanasarapan, siya ang mukha," bulong niya
kaya mabilis ko siyang nilingon at pinanlakihan ng mata.
"Ibig sabihin..." I grinned.

"I guess so? Ako ang pinakanasarapan." He smirked. "What about one more? I'll make
sure ikaw naman ang masasarapan, Rylee."
"North Dominic!" tawag ko na pero lumayo na siya at tumatawang tumakbo paalis bago
ko pa mapigilan sa panghaharot.
We fetched our son when lunch came in his grandparents' house. Naroon kasi
nakitulog sina Tita Lyka sa mansion ng parents ko dahil naroon nga si Stefan.
"May I?" North, in his white collared polo shirt and pants, offered me his palm as
I stepped out of his car.
"Hmm," I hummed and accepted it. He let go of it for a moment to put his sunglasses
on his head and caressed my fingers.
"You excited to see our son?" he whispered and intertwined our fingers, giving a
chaste kiss on the lips.
"Siyempre." Natawa ako. "Nakalimutan na nga yata ng anak natin na parents tayo at
nag-e-enjoy sa mgalLolo't lola."
"I heard they're spoiling him a lot." North shrugged and tried kissing again, pero
ipinaling ko ang ulo ko at tumama ang halik niya sa pisngi ko.
"Rylee..." inarte niya.
"You are still courting me, North Dominic," I said seriously and he pouted.
"You can't possibly kiss me that often. You don't do that to someone na hindi mo
girlfriend."
"Oh, okay." Mukhang nag-iinarte pa siya. "Kailan mo 'ko sasagutin, baby?
Mamaya?"
"Baliw..." Natawa ako at kinurot siya. "Hintay ka lang. As if namang makakawala pa

ako sa 'yo kung grabe kang makabakod sa akin?"
Napaisip din siya roon. "You're right." He nodded and kissed my cheek. "Let's go
say hi to our son."
When we stepped inside, ang magulong sala ang sumalubong sa amin. Napanganga ako
nang makitang pagod na pagod si tito at dad na nakaupo sa lapag habang si Stefan ay
pinipilit pa silang makipaglaro pero 'di na kaya.
"Hay naku, matatanda na talaga kayo," Tita Lyka commented when she stepped out of
the kitchen with my mother, pero natigilan nang makita kaming dalawa.
"Oh, mga anak!" she greeted happily kaya nagtinginan silang lahat sa amin.
"Good noon po," I greeted sweetly and glanced at my son's excited eyes.
"Psst, Stefan." I called playfully, and he screamed a bit.
"Mama!" he exclaimed and ran excitedly, making me laugh. "Papa!"
North let go of my hand, sinalubong niya ang parang bola na si Stefan kung
makatakbo at binuhat ng isang braso niya.
"How's my Stefan?" North greeted and kissed his cheek.
"Papa!" He smiled widely and looked my way. "Mama!" he added.
"Hello, baby. Missed your mama?" malambing kong sabi at nang igalaw ni Stefan ang
kanyang katawan papalapit sa akin ay kaagad ko siyang kinuha sa braso ni North para
bigyan ng halik at mahigpit na yakap.
"I missed you, baby ko," bulong ko sa kanya na humagikhik lang at niyakap ako nang
mahigpit.
"Oh, siya. Tamang-tama at may ginawa kaming graham ni kumare!" my mom said.
"Come here, kids! Kain tayo! Tapos 'yong...hoy, mga lolo! Napagod kayo kakahabol sa
bata kasi marupok na buto n'yo!" She laughed.
"Kumain na kayo rito para may lakas, weak na ba?" Tita Lyka commented and we ended
up laughing.
North touched my waist. Nang lingunin ko siya ay binigyan niya lang ako ng ngiti
bago hagkan ang noo ko at ng anak.
"Let's eat, baby," he said and assisted me.
The end of our relationship years ago may be sad and gloomy, but the start of us
today was like that of the sun—steady, slow and bright.
"Ang dami-dami namang gifts ni Madame Rylee!"
Napatawa ako sa komento ni Ad nang makita ang laman na mga regalo ng desk ko
matapos ang shoot ko para sa isang bikini brand.
"Paano ba namang hindi magkakaroon ng maraming admirer, e, ang ganda-ganda at sexy

pa rin?" Andrea commented. "Partida, oh. Nanay na 'yan ng two years old tapos
pinag-aagawan pa ng bikini companies!"
"Hoy!" Napatawa ako sa kanya. "Ikaw talaga..."
"Sus, wala 'yang mga admirer na 'yan kay North. Kahit gaano pa sila ka-gwapo, kay
North pa rin tutuwad si Rylee—"
"Shh!" My eyes widened at Ad's loud voice. Napansin ko kaagad na pinagtinginan kami
ng mga kasama kaya nag-init ang pisngi ko.
"Sorry po, sorry..." I even bowed a little and smiled awkwardly habang tawang-tawa
naman ang dalawa. "Ikaw talaga!" I smacked his shoulder.
"Bakit? Totoo naman!" Drea even grinned.
"Oo na, oo na!" I snapped, blushing. Naupo ako sa harapan ng dresser habang
tumatabi naman sa akin si Ad at ipinapakita sa akin ang mga kuha kanina.
Andrea brushed my hair, nakikisilip pa sa mga picture at nagtulungan kaming tatlo

mamili kung anong magandang gawing front cover sa advertisement.
"Sir Liam, good evening po!"
My eyes left the camera to look at the entrance and smiled when I saw my friend. I
waved at him, and he waved back at me and grinned, holding a bouquet of flowers.
"Ehem! Ehem!" Ad faked a cough, sinisiko si Drea na tahimik na kaya napangisi ako.
"Hi, Liam! Napadaan ka?" I asked with a teasing smile.
"Malapit lang kasi sa pinuntahan ko kanina." Napasulyap siya sa may dresser.
"Buti na lang 'di kita binilhan ng flowers, madami ka na, e."
"Hmm?" I winked at him, "Mabuti na lang, e, kanino 'yang dala mo?"
"Good evening, Drea," he greeted and my friend jumped on her seat and glanced at
him.
"E-Evening..." She smiled a little.
"For you," Liam smiled handsomely, extending the bouquet to her. Nakagat ko ang
labi para pigilan ang kilig at sinisiko na ako ni Adrian.
"Thanks," Drea said shyly.

"Anything for you, how about a date?" he asked at 'di na kami nakapagpigil.
Drea blushed profusely, napatili na kami ni Ad at naghampasan nang tumango ang

kaibigan at pumayag sa date.
It was a fun night. Nauna lang ako sa kanila nang tumawag si North at nagsabing
nandoon na sila sa parking.
Pagkalabas ko pa lang sa exit ay napangiti na ako. I walked excitedly towards them,

heart melting at how adorable they looked.
North Dominic, my boyfriend, was in his navy blue formal coat and slacks with a
bouquet of flowers in his other hand. He looked like he just got out of a meeting,
and our son was holding a mini bouquet, just like his dad.
Ang mag-ama ko...
"Mama!" my son exclaimed when he saw me coming, waving his hand.
North's serious face brightened when he saw me approaching.
"Baby," he called and walked closer so they could meet me halfway.
"Hello! Ang ga-gwapo, ah?" I greeted happily. I tiptoed and kissed North's lips
before kissing my son's cheek.
"Sorry, we're a bit late." North chuckled a little. "Bumili kami ng flowers ni
Stefan para kay Mama Rylee, right, son?"
"Yeah!" he answered cheerily. " pwawers, Mama." He offered me his mini bouquet.
"Oh, thank you, Stefan," I murmured gently and glanced at my boyfriend's handsome
face.
"For you, baby." He offered me his bouquet too, making my heart pound in happiness.
"Sweet naman ng mag-ama ko..." masayang turan ko at pinagmasdan silang dalawa.

"Love na love kayong dalawa ni Mama Rylee. Pa-kiss nga ako ulit!"
I jumped and kissed them both, puro tawanan naman ang pumailanlang sa parking nang
hablutin din nila akong dalawa at ako naman ang inatake ng halik sa mukha.
Sabay-sabay kaming umuwing tatlo. After I secured Stefan at the backseat, pinaandar
na ni North ang sasakyan.
We were currently living in North's house—the one where we stayed last time when it
rained. Turns out that North built the house for us, years ago, when he thought I
was pregnant.
"How's your day, North ko?" I asked while on the road. "Magulo ba si Stefan?"
"No, not really." He chuckled and glanced at the rearview mirror to look at his
son. "He's actually quiet, like you told me before. Ngingiti lang nang maliit sa
mga tao sa paligid pero 'di magsasalita. I brought him to our meeting."
"Really?" My eyes widened. "Okay lang ba?"
"Hmm." He smiled, looking so proud. "Our Stefan here is a smart boy. I'm teaching
him how to handle the company, Ry."
"Seriously?" tanong ko nang natatawa. He winked and looked back.
"You'll be a great businessman, son, right?" he asked his son, who smiled at us and
nodded.
"Write...write," he mumbled. "M-Mama! Write!" Stefan even motioned his hand

happily.
"Marunong na siyang pumirma, Ry. Look at that. Open it," turo niya sa compartment
kaya kinuha ko iyon.
When I saw it, I almost burst out laughing. Paano ba naman kasi ay kontrata yata
iyon ng kompanya pero puno ng guhit-guhit at magulong sulat ng anak.
"See? He's great!" North looked at me and grinned.
"Oo naman. Ang galing talaga ng baby na 'yan!" I looked back and reached for my
smiling and bubbly son. "You are so smart, North Stefan. Mama and papa are so proud
of you!"
The house felt weird when we got there, weird din ang mag-ama ko. Paano ba naman
kasi at pagpasok pa lamang ay hinila-hila na nila ako sa kusina.
I was confused as to what was happening when I saw a round table with petals of
roses around. May pagkain ding nakatakip doon at bote ng wine.
Instead of two for a date, there were three chairs there. Iyong isa ay upuan ng
baby kaya napatawa na ako at napatakip sa bibig.
"Oh, you two prepared this?" baling ko sa kanila.
Two pairs of identical eyes stared at me, and it was North who nodded and grinned.
"Yes, baby. Kaya kami natagalan. Ako 'yong nag-ayos ng hapag tapos si Stefan ang
nagluto," turo niya sa anak niyang mukhang 'di na-ge-gets ang nangyayari kaya
nagkatawanan kami.
"Ang galing naman pala ng anak ko magluto, ah?" I complimented and kissed my son's
cheeks. Ngumiti siya sa akin pabalik at humalik din sa pisngi ko pero nadaanan ko
ng tingin si North na nakanguso sa akin.
"Ano 'yan?" I asked playfully.

"Kiss." He pouted more.
"Oh? Bakit may kiss? 'Di naman ikaw ang nagluto ng food?" I asked. His shoulders
fell, at mas natawa ako nang sumipa-sipa pa siya sa lapag.
"I was just kidding. It was me who cooked, Ry. Ambag lang ni Stefan 'yong magpitas
ng petals ng bulaklak at ikalat." Nilaglag niya pa ang anak para sa halik niya kaya
nailing ako.
I touched his arms, gave him a quick kiss on the lips, and leaned in.
"Salamat, North ko," malambing kong turan.
"Walang 'I love you?'" bulong niya pabalik pero kinindatan ko lang siya at ngumisi.
I dined with my family. What a good word—family.
Si North ay abala para maghiwalay ng pagkain para sa kanyang anak habang ako ang
sumusubo rito. Stefan looked like he was having fun, even wiggling his chubby body
because he was pleased.
Salitan kami ni North sa pagkain para mabigyan ng pansin ang anak. We talked about
our day until I noticed my boyfriend become quiet when he glanced at the clock.
"Kain ka pa," I encouraged, because he looked nervous.
"I will," tango niya bago kumain ulit, pero parang ang tagal niya yatang ngumunguya
roon bago lulunukin.
He glanced at his son and I, pero nang mahuli akong nakatitig ay kumurap siya at
ngumiti.
"Please, have mercy on me," North said, and I was confused.

I stopped sipping my wine when he stood and carried his son out of his chair.
He carried him in his arms before taking my hand kaya napatayo ako.
"North?" I asked, confused.
"I am nervous, Ry, but this is the time, I guess?" He huffed out a breath
nervously. "I love you so much. You both."
He lowered our son on the ground. Hinawakan ko naman ang kamay ni Stefan habang
nagtatakang nakatingin kay North na inayos muna ang suit na suot.
He brushed his hair with his fingers and gazed at me and his son. To my shock, he
lowered his body on the ground. He knelt on one knee, taking something from his
pocket. He showed me a red velvet box.
My eyes swelled. Tinitigan ko si North na humuhugot pa ng lakas ng loob bago

iginalaw ang kamay at kinuha ang akin.
"I guess you know what I'm gonna do." He smiled sweetly.
"North..." I mumbled, nagtutubig na ang mata.
"I was thinking how I'd ask you this, but I ran out of ideas. I am sorry this isn't
grand like what I had in my head the first time, but I thought you'd appreciate a
simple yet an intimate one more. I made sure it's with the most important person to
you...to us."
I bit my lower lip when from me, his eyes went to his son who had been quietly
watching him.
"Anak," he called our son. "Pwedeng magpaalam sa 'yo kay Mama Rylee?"
"Oh my God..." I whispered, mas kumakalabog na ang puso.
"Stefan," he said and smiled at him. "I'm so sorry papa wasn't there while you were
growing up, hmm?"
Doon na nahulog ang luha ko, kaagad ko iyong hinawi habang pinagmamasdan ang mag-
ama kong nag-uusap.
"Sorry your father is too late. I'm sorry papa wasn't there when you were alone. I
hope you forgive me for my absence. Right now, I promise you I will stay with you
and mama, no matter what."
Napahikbi ako, lalo na nang napasinghot na rin si Stefan nang makita ang luha sa
mga mata ng ama habang nakatitig sa kanya.
"Don't cry, young man, hmm?" North dried his tears. "Babawi ako sa inyo.
Aalagaan ko kayo ni mama mo. I promise you and Mama Rylee that I will always
be here. I may not have been there from the start, but I swear in my life, I will
be here 'til the very end."
"P-Papa..." Stefan mumbled and sniffed more.
"Shh, don't cry, son." His voice broke as he dried his tears again. "I have a
question for you, Stefan. Will you listen to papa?"
My son nodded, listening to him. North let go of my hand for a while before taking
his son's palm.
"W-Will you..." North's voice broke once more. "W-Will you allow Papa North to
marry Mama Rylee?"
That was when I broke down.
"Y-Yes, Papa."
Mas lumakas ang iyak ko nang tumango si Stefan sa kanya at napasinghot na si North
ay nanghina na ako.
"T-Thank you...thank you," he whispered, and hugged the crying Stefan from the
ground.
It took us a while, only the sobs filling the silence, and a moment later, North
rose while carrying Stefan in his arms who was now holding the box.
Doon na siya pumunta sa harapan ko. Nang makita ko ang mga mata niyang hilam sa
luha at punong-puno ng pagmamahal ay napuno ng kapayapaan ang puso ko.
"Rylee, my baby..." North pursed his lips and smiled nervously. "I asked our son
first if he'd allow me and he said yes..."
"Uh-hmm..." I nodded, drying my tears with fingers.
"Now, let me ask you. I'm in love with you, Rylee—for a long time now. I want to
apologize because we separated and you took care of our son alone, but no matter
how many times we think and blame ourselves for it, nothing will change. The only
thing we can do now is to be better...and learn."
I nodded and smiled.
"Rylee Addison Sandoval." He whispered my name like a wish. "I hope you allow me to
change yours and our son's surname to Alvarado. Will you marry me, baby?"
"Mama...marry papa!" Stefan exclaimed, opening the box and showing me the gold ring
inside.
I sniffed and cried more when I heard those words. Nang titigan ko ang mukha ni
Stefan ay punong-puno iyon ng pag-asa. Gano'n din si North na naghihintay ng sagot.
Ang pagsusumamo ay nakapinta sa itim niyang mga mata.
"Please, baby," North mumbled. "Please, marry me?"
I looked at my family. My North Stefan, my North Dominic. My Norths.
"Yes," I answered with a smile. "Yes, I will marry you."
"Yes!" North exclaimed excitedly and Stefan clapped his hands. Lumipat sa braso ko
ang anak namin, at napatawa ako habang naiiyak nang makitang
kinakabahan pa rin si North habang kinukuha ang singsing sa box at inilalagay iyon
sa aking daliri.
"Mama..." ngiti ni Stefan kaya hinalikan ko ang kanyang pisngi. When the ring
slipped on my finger, I am sobbing again. Sinapo ni North ang pisngi ko para sa
isang malalim na halik bago hagkan ang pisngi ng kanyang anak at yakapin kaming
dalawa ng mahigpit.
"Ang mag-ina ko," North whispered. "Mahal na mahal ko kayo."
Humagikhik si Stefan at niyakap ang leeg namin kaya napangiti ako.
"I love you, Stefan," I whispered happily and then kissed my fiancé's cheek.
"North ko?" I called him in a whisper.
"Yes, baby?" he asked.
"I love you..." bulong ko at ipinikit ang mata, mas hinigpitan ang yakap sa kanila.
They say deceit is a false road towards happiness. It might give us what we want
now, but it will be taken away in the end. It was the easiest way to gain
something, but the fastest the time would take away. A false perception.
Like a dream you wished so bad to be true—only to end up in a nightmare of despair.

I was still young when I first met him. I was young when I fell in love.
Before, I was naïve, deceitful, and selfish—but this love was something else.
Despite the pain, it taught me lessons, it helped me become the better person I was
today.
This love started in lies, deceptions turned heated, and I was lucky enough because
it evolved into something I did not expect—a heated, imperfect yet genuine love.
www.wattpad.com
(1) Heated Deceptions - Epilogue - Page 15
48 - 60 minutes
Epilogue
I couldn't remember how or when my friendship with Zoren started. Naaalala ko lang
na ipinakilala siya nina mommy sa akin 'cause apparently, our family was friends
with theirs, bukod pa sa pagiging business partners nila. Sinula no'n, namalayan ko
na lang na palagi kaming magkasama.
"North!"
I looked at my side and saw that it was Zoren sitting beside me. I looked around
for my original seatmate and saw him talking to my friends. Wala pa ang professor
namin kaya ayos lang kahit magulo na muna ang seating arrangement namin na
alphabetical.
My surname was Alvarado—that was why I was seated in the front, while Zoren's was
Sandoval. Sa bandang hulihan siya nakaupo, pero kapag ganitong mga oras na wala pa
kaming prof ay pinupuntahan niya ako rito sa unahan, then he'd sit beside me.
"Oh?" I asked.
"Wala lang," he said. He grinned when he saw me frowning. "Anong ginagawa mo?"
I looked at the book I was reading. Pinakita ko 'yon sa kanya.
"Reviewing for the exam," I answered back.
"Huh? May exam tayo sa next subject?"
I looked at him. He looked lost. Napatingin pa siya sa paligid at nakakita ng iba

pa naming mga kaklase na nag-re-review para sa next subject. I saw the horror in
his eyes when Zoren looked at me again.
"You didn't know?" I asked.
"Nakalimutan ko!" he said in horror. I chuckled and shook my head.

"Kaya pala puro daldal ka lang kanina pa."
"Shit!" Napasabunot pa siya sa buhok niya. He looked like he didn't know what to
do.
Zoren abruptly stood up. Napatingala ako sa kanya at naghintay lang sa sasabihin
niya. He looked at me, and it was obvious he was panicking.
"D'yan ka, North. Mag-re-review na rin ako," he said, and in no time, he was gone.
I couldn't help but chuckle. Napailing na lang ako at bumalik sa pagbabasa ng

libro.
Zoren had a happy-go-lucky personality. He was friendly. Halos lahat ng mga kaklase
namin ay kaibigan niya. Kahit sa ibang section ay may kaibigan rin siya. It was
easy for him to make friends—the total opposite of me. Kaya nga minsan, nagtataka
ako kung paano kami naging magkaibigan.
I was the serious type of guy. Hindi ako madalas makipag-usap sa iba kung hindi
kailangan. I didn't have a lot of friends, unlike Zoren. But because I was his best
friend, nagiging kaibigan ko na rin ang mga kaibigan niya.
"Come in, North! 'Wag ka nang mahiya!"
I was fifteen when I first visited the Sandovals. Nahihiya pa ko no'n. I was not
used to visiting someone's home just because they wanted me to watch a movie with
them, but Zoren invited me that day. He pestered me and I had no choice but to
accept. Hindi niya kasi ako tinigilan hanggang sa pumayag ako.
"Mom! Nandito si North!" Zoren announced when we stepped inside their house.
Mrs. Sandoval stepped out of their kitchen. She flashed me a wide smile when she
saw me.
"North, hijo! It's good to have you here!" she cheerfully said. I assumed that was
where Zoren got his personality. "Nagugutom ka na ba? Malapit nang maluto ang
ulam."
"Oh! Um..." I scratched the back of my ear. I didn't know what to say.
"Oh, nahihiya ka?" Mrs. Sandoval laughed when she noticed my problem. "Don't be!
Just be comfortable lang, okay?"
I just nodded. I didn't want to bother her with anything.
I looked around. Their house was elegant yet simple. Hindi ganoong karami ang
decoration but the interior gave that welcoming and comfortable feeling. Kaya
kanina nang pumasok ako, kahit nahihiya, hindi ko naramdaman na hindi ako welcome
sa bahay nila.
As I looked around, I noticed a figured by the stairs. Just on the last few steps.
It was a girl. Our eyes met, but she quickly hid behind the wall. Kita ko naman ang
kamay niyang nakakapit sa kanto ng pader na 'yon.
The side of my lips rose. What was the use of hiding anyway?
Sumilip ulit 'yong bata pero nang makita na nakatingin pa rin ako ay nagtago ulit.
I let out a chuckle. I couldn't help it. Narinig tuloy ni Zoren.
"Bakit?" he asked. Lumapit pa siya sa akin.
I pointed to where the girl was. "There's someone..." I trailed off.
Sinundan ni Zoren ang tinuturo ko. He sighed when he saw the kid.
"Rylee! Come here," Zoren called.
I looked at the kid he called Rylee. She peeked through the walls. Halata ang pag-
aalangan na lumapit. She slowly went down the final step of the stairs.
Lumapit siya, pero masyadong malayo ang distansya pa rin sa akin.
"North, that's Rylee. She's my sister," Zoren said. "Pasensya ka na. Mahiyain
talaga 'yang batang 'yan."
"No worries," I said and looked at the kid again.
The first thing I noticed was the innocence in her eyes as she stared curiously at
me. I took a step towards her, pero bago pa ako makalapit ay nagtatakbo na ang bata
paakyat.
"Hayaan mo na 'yon. Nahihiya 'yon sa 'yo. First time ka niyang makita," sabi ni
Zoren na halatang natatawa sa inasta ng kapatid niya. "Come on. Let's watch the
movie I was talking about."
Tumango ako kay Zoren and he started walking. Napasulyap ako ng isang beses sa
hagdan na inakyatan ng bata bago sumunod sa kanya.
That was the first time I saw her.

Nagsunod-sunod ang pagkikita namin dahil hindi iyon ang naging huling pagbisita ko
sa mga Sandoval. Plus, we were always having family dinners and my parents invited
them and vice versa. Hindi rin sila nawawala sa family parties.
Every time I was in the Sandoval's house, I could feel Rylee's stare at me.
Isang beses ay nahuli ko siyang nakatingin sa amin ng Kuya Zoren niya at mabilis na
nagtago nang makitang nakatingin ako. But I could see the curiosity in her eyes
every time I caught her staring. It was adorable.
Noong una ay naiilang ako, but I got used to it anyway as time went by. I didn't
know but I found her shyness really amusing. Parang gustong lumapit pero nahihiya
naman.
"North...p-punta ka ulit dito bukas?"
I turned around when I heard that soft voice and I found Rylee standing by the
doorway. I was about to go home pero nagulat pa ako nang bigla akong kausapin ni
Rylee. She looked nervous though. My lips twitched but I stopped myself from
smiling. Baka akalain niyang pinagtatawanan ko siya at mas mahiya pang lumapit sa
'kin.
"I don't know..." I said.
She looked at me but quickly looked down when our eyes met. I saw her fidgeting.
"May...may family party ulit kami sa weekend. Invited ang family mo. Will you
attend?"
Ilang sandali akong nag-isip bago tumango.
"Yeah...if my parents are coming, then I'm coming, too."
She looked up, and I was caught off-guard when she flashed me a radiant smile. I
was surprised! Hindi ko alam na kaya niya pa lang ngumiti nang ganitong kaganda.
This was also the first time that I saw her smile!
"Really? Pupunta ka?" she asked cheerfully and I just nodded. "Then, see you sa
weekend, North!" nakangiti niyang sabi at nagtatakbo na sa loob ng bahay nila.
North, huh? I'm older than you, Ry. Where's the 'kuya'?
I remained standing there for about a minute, still couldn't recover from what I
saw. It was just Rylee smiling but it just really surprised me.
Napailing na lang ako at mahinang napatawa bago tuluyang umalis doon.
After that, Rylee started talking to me. Kapag nagpupunta ako sa bahay nila ay may
ngiti na agad siyang isasalubong sa akin. She looked really happy to see me. Doon
ko nakita ang pagkakapareho nila ni Zoren. Rylee acted like him at times, too.
"Zoren, nandito na naman 'yong kapatid mo."
Pareho kaming napalingon ni Zoren sa kaklase naming 'yon. He pointed outside our
classroom. Saktong pagtingin ko sa labas ay nakita ko nga si Rylee na dumaan sa
classroom namin pero nakalingon naman dito sa loob habang naglalakad. Our eyes met
and I saw her smile before she finally went away.
I frowned. She was in still in high school, but what was she doing here in the
college department? Mahiyain siya and I was sure na kami lang ni Zoren ang kilala
niya dito sa college department. Pero bakit parang napapadalas yata ang pagdaan
niya dito?
"Naligaw na naman?" one of our blockmates asked. Nagtataka rin siguro kung bakit
napadaan si Rylee.
Zoren shrugged his shoulders. "Siguro."
Tumawa ang blockmate namin. "Wala bang sense of direction ang kapatid mo?"
Zoren didn't say anything and continued what he was doing with his phone. He looked
serious. Nahalata rin iyon ng blockmate namin kaya hindi na niya pinilit pang
sumagot si Zoren.
My forehead creased. That kid, hindi yata matatahimik at palaging naliligaw sa
college department but...I doubted it.
"My sister likes you."
Napatigil ako sa paghuhugas ng kamay sa sink. We were in the bathroom and Zoren
suddenly said that. Siniguro ko pang sa akin nga siya nakatingin at ako talaga ang
kinakausap niya.
I chuckled. "What?"
"Rylee...she likes you," he proclaimed seriously.
Natawa ulit ako at kumuha ng tissue para punasan ang kamay ko. I was waiting for
him to tell me that it was a joke. But I saw his reflection in the mirror—he was
looking at me with seriousness in his eyes.
I scoffed. "Is there a problem with that?"
"Marami," sabi niyang seryoso pa rin. "North, I don't like my sister liking you."
It made me feel something but I shrugged it off immediately and tried acting
coolly.
"Dude, it's just a crush. She's a teenager."
"Yeah...pero pa'no kung lumalim?" tanong niya at hindi ako nakasagot. "North, I
don't want you for her."
"What?" gulat kong tanong. "Why?"
I shouldn't have asked that. I saw the suspicion in Zoren's eyes. Bakit nga naman
kasi itinanong ko pa 'yon kung hindi naman ako interesado sa kapatid niya? I
should've told him not to worry about anything as I only saw Rylee as a little
sister.
But I was confused. I was his best friend—ang taong pinagkakatiwalaan niya, pero
bakit ayaw niya ako para sa kapatid niya?
"You're my best friend, North," Zoren said. "Kilalang-kilala kita. Alam kong hindi
ka santo. You bed many women and I could even name them all."
I chuckled, naiiling pa sa kanya. "Zoren, sila ang lumalapit sa 'kin! They know
that it's a one-time thing!"
"I know 'cause they like you...but what if it's Rylee? Paano kung lapitan ka rin
niya dahil nga may gusto rin siya sa 'yo? Would you do that to my sister, too?"
Hindi ako nakasagot.
I heard him sigh.
"Just...not my sister, North. Kahit sino d'yan. Kahit yung babaeng gusto ko pa.
'Wag lang ang kapatid ko," he said. "I don't want our friendship to be ruined just
because you hurt her."
That was the first and the last time we talked about it. I stayed away from Rylee
and it was so hard. Palagi siyang lumalapit sa akin. And... I couldn't resist that
innocent smile.
Ang mga sinabi lang ni Zoren ang dahilan kung bakit ko pa nagagawang lumayo kahit
gustong-gusto ko rin na nilalapitan ako ni Rylee. I didn't want to ruin her
innocent smile. She was so...pure. I didn't want to tarnish her.
Mukhang hindi lang si Zoren ang nakalahata sa nararamdaman sa 'kin ni Rylee.
My blockmates noticed it too. Ilang beses kasing nagagawi sa department namin si

Rylee, and she was always saying that she just got lost. But my blockmates were
telling me that she was doing it just to see me.
I didn't give any reaction to that whenever they were teasing me about her.
Alam kong inaabangan din ni Zoren ang reaction ko. I didn't want him to notice
anything.
Napapansin kong mas nasanay pa siya na naliligaw sa department namin. It was

amusing and adorable, natatawa ako sa tuwing nahuhuli ko siyang naglalakad na tila
kabisado ang daan, pero kapag nahuhuli ako ay biglang magmumukhang lito at
nawawalang bata.
She could really win a drama award for her acting skills. Best in Naligaw sa
College Department award.
Like now, she was teasing me nonstop, urging me if she could eat lunch with me
because she was alone. For all I know, she was just doing this because her brother
wasn't here.
I was afraid she'd be seen here by the my batchmates or worse, the dean. She might
be annoying at times, but I didn't want her to be scared when she got
caught. Well, that was for her brother. Ayaw kong maabala ang kaibigan ko sa
kakulitan ng kapatid niya.
I glared at her, serving as a warning so she would go back to her building, but
instead, her smile widened. Rylee flashed me an adorable bright smile, her innocent
black eyes glistening as if she was bewitching me into doing things she wanted.
And damn it, I was bewitched.
"Basta you will behave, you understand me?" seryosong paalala ko. "No monkey
business or I will kick you out of here."
"Okay!" She smiled widely and almost hopped. I shook my head and put my hands back
in my pants and walked away.
She followed me quietly but her stare could get right through me. Pasimple akong
sumulyap sa kanya at nakitang kagat-kagat niya ang labi at nagpipigil ng ngiti.
I did my best to stay serious when she caught my eye and smiled cutely. Nag-iwas
ako ng tingin, binasa ang pang-ibabang labi, at maliit na napangiti.
This kid had ways to make me smile, huh?
Naglakad kami sa direksyon patungo sa may field ng university, and I looked around
to see if it were possible for someone to spot us here when she moved closer.
Tumama ang katawan niya sa akin, at nagtaka ako roon.
"What are you doing?" I asked coldly, looking at her through my shoulder, but she
gripped my uniform nervously.
"Wala bang...makakakita sa akin dito?" she asked. "Nagtatago lang naman ako, North
ko."
"Then you shouldn't have come here, natatakot ka pala—"
"Sino nagsabing natatakot ako? Hindi, ah!" she exclaimed in a loud voice, and to my
confusion, walked beside me and spread her arms. "Nandito ako! Guys—"
Fuck.
I panicked, at bago pa man niya matapos ang sasabihin ay mabilis na lumipad ang
palad ko sa bibig niya para pigilan siya sa pagsasalita. I moved my face closer to
scold her but got caught up when her eyes widened.
"The hell are you doing?!" I hissed in a low, annoyed voice.
She didn't have the chance to speak and just looked at me with her stunned face.
"North? Sino 'yang kasama mo?"
Nang makarinig ng boses ay mahina na akong napamura. I had no choice but to push
Rylee's back towards the tree behind her. Mula sa kanyang bibig ay inangat ko ang
palad sa uluhan niya bago siya takpan ng katawan ko.
"North?" I heard the girls call.
"North..." she whispered in a small voice, and I threw her a sharp glare.
"Don't talk," I warned seriously, and I heard her gasp when I moved my body closer
to hers until I felt her small frame against mine.
I felt slightly nervous. Ramdam na ramdam ko ang tingin ng mga batchmates kaya mas
itinago ko si Rylee sa kanila. She must have gotten what I was trying to do so she
held on to my uniform and rested her head on my chest.
My heart quickened.
Oh, hell no. Why the fuck now? She shouldn't have felt that!
"What is it?" Nagsalita na ako at medyo nilingon ang mga babae sa likod.
"Sino 'yang kasama mo?" she asked.
Hindi ako kaagad nakasagot, ramdam na ramdam ang tension sa katawan ni Rylee habang
kapit na kapit sa akin.
Ano? Takot ka? Maliligaw ka pa ba sa college department?
"Baka...girlfriend?" Another woman's voice asked.
"Mia?" they said, and I felt Rylee freeze on my chest. She moved a little after a
while and tried peeking, pero pinirmi ng isang kamay ko ang baywang niya kaya hindi
na siya nagtangka.
"Uh...North, g-girlfriend mo?" Mia's voice filled my ear. "North?"
I stopped.
Girlfriend?
Sumulyap ako kay Rylee na nakikiramdam din habang kapit na kapit sa akin, at wala
akong naramdamang pagiging hindi komportable roon. Her presence warmed me, but at
the same time, my chest was unsteady. I felt like she could hear how nervous I was
whenever I was with her. Just like now.
"North?" I heard a voice say again.
Napaisip na ako. If I told them she wasn't my girlfriend, they would get curious.
Bakit ganito ang pwesto naming dalawa?
"Yeah..." I answered instead while looking at her soft hair, and she stiffened more
upon hearing my answer.
"R-Really?" she asked again kaya bumaling ako saglit.
"Yes, Mia," sagot kong seryoso. "Will you please give us some privacy? We'll just
talk."
"O-Okay...we gotta go," sagot ng huli, at nang narinig kong nag-aaya na silang
umalis ay pinakiramdaman ko si Rylee.
What are you doing to me, huh? Why is your presence affecting me so much? I can't
have you, anyway. Your brother would be furious. You're young.
Maybe what you're feeling for me is just infatuation. It might be just a mere
crush.
Ilang sandali ay nawala na ang komosyon, at doon na ako lumayo. Nahuli ko ang
pagkatulala niya bago napahawak sa kanyang dibdib, pero maya-maya'y nangiti.
"What was that?" she asked in a low, amused voice.
I froze at her question. "I was just saving you, kid." Seryoso pa akong
nakipagtitigan pero nang mas lumambing ang ngiti niya ay napaiwas na ako ng tingin.
Fuck it, Alvarado! Tangina, bakit nag-iinit ang pisngi mo?!
"Weh?" she playfully murmured. "Girlfriend mo ako? Talaga ba, North ko?!"
"No..." I looked at her, glaring.
"Ows?" I jumped when she reached for my cheek, poking it. "Amin na, nagba-blush ka
nga, e—"
"I said no," I said, my brows almost meeting each other. "May...may iba akong
gusto."
"Sino? Ako?"
Oo. Ikaw.
Natauhan ako bigla kaya tumikhim ako at basta na lang siya talikuran para alisan.
"North ko, wait for me!" she exclaimed. Kumapit siya sa braso ko kaya iritado ko
siyang nilingon.
"I said I like someone else," malamig ko pang sabi, pero halatado naman ang hindi
niya paniniwala roon.
"E 'di iba..." ngisi pa niyang natatawa. "Kunwari naniniwala ako."
"Rylee Addison!" I roared and scolded, but she grinned widely, clinging on my arms
and playfully gave me a wink.
This woman will be the death of me. I have to distance myself more!
But when Rylee grew up, mas nahirapan akong iwasan siya. There was something in her
that I just couldn't resist. May pwersang humihigit sa akin palapit sa kanya, kaya
kahit na anong iwas ang gawin ko, hindi ko magawa. I just found myself coming back
to her. I just couldn't help but to worry for her.
What I was feeling for her was wildfire. It started small and now it consumed me—it
was unstoppable, burning me entirely.
"That kid still likes you, huh?" Mia said one time when she visited me in the
office. She was a friend kaya hinahayaan ko lang siya, and I guess that was why
rumors about us started roaming around.
I just ignored it all. It wasn't true, anyway. I didn't even like her. There was no
use for me to explain myself.
"She's not a kid anymore," I said.
She gaped at me. "Don't tell me that you're interested in her." Ang gulat ay bakas
sa kanyang mga mata.
I sighed. I wanted to deny it. Hell, I still remember what Zoren told me years ago.
Hindi nga 'yon nawala sa isip ko, so the feelings that I had for Rylee—I tried to
suppressed it.
But Rylee really liked to give me a hard time. She kissed me one time when she
visited me in the office. And fuck, I knew that time that I wouldn't be able to
forget her soft lips pressed against mine.
Niyaya kong uminom si Zoren pagkatapos n'on. I just felt bad for him.
Pakiramdam ko trinaydor ko siya dahil sa mga naiisip ko matapos akong halikan ni

Rylee.
"Is it Mia? You knew I like her," malamig na tanong sa akin ni Zoren, pero hindi ko
na sinagot dahil sa pag-iisip ko kay Rylee. "It's true, huh? You have a
relationship with her?"
"No..." iling ko pa at muling uminom habang nakatulala sa kanya.
"North, answer me," the drunk Zoren demanded. "What is it, huh? Si Mia?"
Hindi ko na siya nasagot dahil nahihilo na rin ako at ipinikit pa ang mata.
Ang pakiramdam ng malambot na labi ni Rylee ay bumabalik sa utak ko.
I liked the kiss. Hell, I would do anything to taste her lips again. To caress her
soft skin and hear her moan my name with her luscious lips as I made love to her.
I was fucked.
Sumulyap ako kay Zoren na pikit na roon at namumula.
I'm so sorry, man. I like your sister.
"North...North, wake up."
Who was that? Was that Rylee? Siya lang naman ang kilala kong may ganoong boses.
She had a soft voice but it was enough to make my heart beat erratically against my
chest every time I heard her calling my name.
"Fuck you, North!" I heard Zoren say somewhere, drunk. "I love her! Bakit siya pa?"
Yeah...I'm sorry, Zoren. I fell in love with your sister.
I fell in love with Rylee Addison Sandoval.
Damn it! Damn it! Sobrang lasing ko yata and I must've missed her dahil amoy na
amoy ko si Rylee. She smelled so good. Ang kaunting pagtitimpi na pinaghahawakan ko
ay naputol na.
I tried to open my eyes, and I must've been dreaming when I saw her beautiful face
staring worriedly at me as I lay on the bed. Her lips pouted, her gentle and soft
eyes stared at me lovingly, and my heart quickened more.
I like you, Ry. I like you so damn much, baby. Maybe, maybe more than that.
Hindi ko na napigilan ang sarili ko at hinigit ang ulo niya palapit sa 'kin.
I kissed her, wanting to taste those soft and sweet lips again.
Fuck, North! You're hopeless.
If this were really a dream, I didn't want to wake up yet. I still wanted to feel
that soft body against mine. I still wanted to be with her. I didn't want to let
her go.
I woke up with a severe hangover, pero mas lumala pa yata iyon nang makita ko ang
maamong mukha ni Rylee na natutulog sa tabi ko. I was confused at first as to why
she was sleeping beside me. Gumalaw ako at nahalata kong pareho kaming walang
saplot sa ilalim ng kumot.
Last night wasn't a dream?
Hindi ko alam kung anong mararamdaman ko pero wala akong makapang pagsisisi sa
dibdib. Hell, I was even happy that what happened last night was real!
Kung may isang bagay man akong pinagsisisihan, it was that I wasn't in the right
mind when we it.
I stared at her face. She looked like a baby sleeping right next to me. Hindi ko na
napigilan ang kamay kong haplusin ang mukha niya.
Damn it. I really loved her, didn't I?
I knew that what happened was a mistake. I should regret it. But how could I regret
when it was the most wonderful night for me?
"I'm pregnant...and North is the father."
Rylee dropped that bomb during our family dinner. Hindi kaagad ako nakapag-react at
napatulala lang sa kanya. She looked scared. She looked like she regretted that she
announced it so suddenly.
Oh, no...no, no, no, baby. Please don't regret. This is the best thing that
happened to me.
Wala na akong pakialam kung nasira ang pakikipagkaibigan namin ni Zoren dahil doon.
But fuck, I wouldn't stay away from her anymore. I wanted to keep her in my sight
most of the time and take care of her and our baby.
Damn it...fuck, ang saya-saya ko!
"Come live with me, Rylee."
I tried to stay away from her before, pero ngayong may pagkakataon na 'kong
makasama siya, hinding-hindi ko na sasayangin 'to. She let me feel and know her
feelings for me. Now, it was my turn. Ako naman ang magpaparamdam sa kanya kung
gaano ko siya kamahal.
Not just for our baby, Ry. For you, too.

Every moment I spent with her while living together were the happiest of my life.
Seeing her first when I woke up in the morning was like a dream come true. Hindi na
'ko makapaghintay na manganak siya at bumuo ng pamilya kasama siya.
I was so ready for that family with her—even if it would destroy things. For her, I
wanted to risk everything, but when I found out about the truth, all my wishes and
dreams for our family crumbled down.
She fooled me. She deceived me.
Damn it, she started this fire and left me alone until I burned into ashes.
I sipped my rum and looked at Mia flatly.
"I warned you about this, North," she murmured. Her voice was filled with concern
but I couldn't think more of it. I just wanted to get drunk and feel nothing.
How dare she fool me?
She moved her body closer. Kumunot ang noo ko roon at bahagyang lumayo.
"Mia..." I warned.
"Bakit...bakit hindi na lang ako, North?" malungkot niyang tanong sabay hawak sa
balikat ko.
"Mia, you're drunk," malamig kong sabi. "Alam mo namang—"
"I was there even before, North!" Halos magsumamo na siya. "M-Matagal ko nang
sinabi sa 'yong gusto kita. Bakit...bakit siya pa? Nandito naman ako!"
Pumirmi ang labi ko at pinagmasdan lang siyang naluluha na.

"T-Tingnan mo, niloko ka niya! Y-You took the responsibility for her and she
deceived you!" She touched her chest. "Ako...ako, North, hindi kita sasaktan!
Why can't you love me?"
Binasa ko ang labi at sumulyap sa kanya at umiling. "I'm sorry, Mia. This is hard
for me too. I just can't..."
"She fooled you!" she gasped in conviction. "K-Kung hindi narinig ng kaibigan ko,
paano ka? E 'di matagal ka pa niyang naloko!"
Mas sumikip ang pakiramdam ko.
She fooled me.
The bitter taste spread inside my mouth.
Was she happy now? After fooling me? Lahat ba ng ginawa niya panloloko lang?
What she showed me the past few months? Were they all deceptions?
She even told me her last card.
Pregnant? You can't fool me again with that pregnancy, Rylee. It's bullshit.
I sipped my rum again and felt heavier.
"I love you, N-North," Mia mumbled. "A-Ako na lang, please."
She moved closer. It was too late for me to react. She suddenly embraced my nape,
tiptoed, and pressed a kiss on my lips.
I froze. I wanted to push her away, but I saw from the distance the shocked eyes of
the woman who deceived me. The woman who made me believe in nonexistent things.
You're a liar, Sandoval.
I held Mia's waist and while looking at Rylee, opened my mouth, and kissed Mia back
while staring intently at her.
Pain flashed in her eyes. Nakita ko ang pagkislap ng kanyang mata bago napaatras at
napatakip sa bibig.
Does it hurt, woman? Yes, I hope it fucking hurts for you. You deserve it!
Rage filled my chest, but when she vanished, it felt hollow. Mabilis akong lumayo
kay Mia na naguguluhan din sa akin.
"North?" she whispered and I pulled my hair and closed my eyes tightly. I looked at
her.
"I'm sorry, Mia. I really can't," mahinang sabi ko at mabilis siyang iniwan doon
para habulin si Rylee. I left my glass on the roundtable and didn't care if I
stepped on someone while stepping out of the bar.
When I got out, I looked around—but she was gone.
"Fuck it..." mariing mura ko at inihilamos ang mukha. Malakas akong nagmura at
sinipa ang bato sa harapan sa sobrang galit na nararamdaman.
The hell did I do? Bakit ako nagsisisi, huh? She deserved it, anyway!
I didn't even think that she'd really leave me just like that. Gusto ko siyang
habulin. Gusto kong sabihin na huwag na lang sana siyang umalis. Na dito na lang
siya kung saan ko siya palaging makikita.
But my pride was saving me. The pain from her deception stopped me from begging her
not to leave. Kaya hinayaan ko siyang makaalis.
I was lost after that. I left my condo, too. Natakot akong bumalik do'n. I was
afraid that when I opened the door, there would be no Rylee to welcome me. That she
really left me. That my happiest days were now over.
"How's Rylee?" hindi ko na napigilang tanong kay Zoren nang magkita kami isang
beses nang hindi sinasadya.
I wanted to see her. I even attended her parents' birthday party last time in the
hopes that she'd be there, too. They were her parents and I knew how much she loved
them kaya hindi niya palalagpasin 'yon.
But she didn't show up. That was the first time she didn't attend their birthday
party.
It had been so long since I saw her. I hated to admit it, but I missed her.
"Ah, 'yon? She's doing well," Zoren answered.
We were casual. Hindi na katulad noon ang pagkakaibigan namin pero ayos na sa
'kin to. Pinapakisamahan niya pa rin ako despite what I did before.
"She's busy entertaining her suitors," sabi pa ni Zoren kaya mas bumigat ang
pakiramdam ko at napasimangot.
"What?" I spat icily.
Zoren chuckled. Mukhang natutuwa sa naging reaksyon ko kaya mas nairita ako.
"North, Rylee is a beautiful woman. Malamang maraming manliligaw sa kanya!"
Natawa pa siya habang sinasabi iyon pero wala man lang akong ngiting maipakita.
I didn't say anything. Hindi ko inaasahan ang galit na namumuo sa dibdib ko.
The fuck was she doing? Here I was, still trying to move on from her, and yet she
was out there, already entertaining suitors? She was the one who deceived me!
Damn it! Was it really that easy for her to forget about everything? To forget
about the times we spent together? I thought she loved me!
Was that a lie too?
I attended Mr. Sandoval's birthday party with the hope that I'd see her this time.
I brought Mia as my date. Sinabi rin ni mommy na dalhin ko si Mia dahil hindi na
rin naman daw iba ang pamilya nila.
And then...I saw her.
"Hi, North..." Her sweet voice lingered in my ears and my heart started pounding—
like before.
I couldn't help but stare at her.
Fuck...mas lalo siyang gumanda. He brownish-black eyes were glistening against the
light from the garden as she looked at me. She became a woman.
Gone was the innocence in her eyes.
Damn it, North. You fucking stop yourself!
I just wanted to hug her right there. To envelope her petite body in my arms and
never let go of her again. To tell her how much I missed her.
Pero naputol ang pag-iisip kong 'yon nang makita ang lalaking kasama niya. I knew
him. He worked as an architect with my project before. And apparently, he worked as
a model too.
Hindi ko na napigilan ang galit ko nang makita ang kamay ni Rylee na nakakapit sa
braso n'ong Liam. Damn it! Inis na inis ako. So what? Naka-move on na talaga siya?
She already forgot what she did? What happened between us?
Hindi ko na tuloy napigilan ang sarili ko at sinundan siya nang pumasok siya sa
loob ng bahay nila. I waited for her to finish using the restroom. Pero tangina,
when I saw her looking at me, just a few steps away from me, with innocence and
curiosity in her eyes, umaatras ang galit ko.
Fuck! I was livid! Gusto siyang sumbatan! She looked okay! She looked like she was
doing well while me—I felt like hell! I shouldn't feel this way when it was her who
lied to me!
She even said that she was childish and immature back then. Na ikinahihiya niya ang
nangyari sa 'min! The fuck! Those were the best moments of my life!
"You don't have to talk to me again. Kung...kung ayaw mo. But...let's just not
mention anything related to what happened before." She paused. "But if you can't
really stand my presence and it's hard for you to even look at me,
then...I won't attend any family parties that you'll attend. Sabihin mo lang kay
kuya—"
"Alright," putol ko na sa sasabihin pa niya.
Damn it! What? So I'd suffer again while she was out there entertaining other guys?
No...you should suffer, Rylee...ipapaalala ko sa 'yo ang mga nangyari noon.
You shouldn't regret it.
For months and years, we were like that. I may have looked like a fucking stalker
from stalking her social media from time to time.
She didn't really post much but her agency did. She had a few, simple gigs, and
beyond that, wala na. May oras na wala akong balita sa kanya ng ilang buwan bukod
sa picture niya minsan kasama ang mga kaibigan.
"You're really blooming, Rylee, ah?" I heard my mom complimenting her during one of
our usual dinner events with her family.
Sumulyap ako sa kanya nang bahagya at nakita ang malambing niyang ngiti sa mommy
ko. She was glowing—her cheeks reddened naturally with a sweet smile on her face.
"Salamat po, Tita Lyka," she answered shyly.
"I guess you have a lot of suitors abroad, hija?" my father asked and my forehead
creased. Nakita kong natigilan si Rylee at napabaling sa pwesto ko kaya mabilisan
akong nag-iwas ng tingin.
I guess you have boyfriends now, huh? Boys? What was I before? A boytoy to you?
"Naku, wala po—"
"Liam's still pursuing her, though."
I almost scoffed at Zoren when he spoke.
"Kuya! Ano ba, wala 'yon—"
"Come on, Ry." He chuckled. "She's famous abroad. Maraming gigs pero madalang lang
ang kinukuha. She has countless suitors too, madami ngang regalo madalas sa kanya
pero ang kinakausap niya lang madalas ay 'yong si Liam."
My jaw clenched, my grip on the utensils tightened.
Sumulyap ako kay Rylee na umiiling pero namumula sa biro sa kanya ng mga magulang.
"Kilala ko iyon, Rylee. Gwapo!" my mom even commented. Mas lumalim ang gatla sa noo
ko.
Seriously, Mom? I am your son here! Bakit mas gwapo ang ibang lalaki kaysa sa anak
mo?! You used to tease Rylee to me and now...Mom, I'm disappointed in your taste.
"He's a friend po," she murmured shyly.
Friend, huh? You can't fool me, Rylee Addison!
Binitawan ko ang kutsara bago ko pa mabitawan at kinuha ang tubig para sana uminom
habang nakatingin nang matalim kay Zoren na umiwas pero natatawa pa.
"Friend?" tawa ni Zoren. "Pero balita ko sasagutin mo rin? Malapit na?"
Fuck you, Zoren.
Binagsak ko ang baso ng tubig sa lamesa. Natahimik silang lahat at nilingon ako.
Rylee even looked at my direction innocently.
"Oh? Bakit, anak?" my smiling mom asked kaya pumirmi ang labi ko.
You betrayed your son, Mom. I'm disappointed in your taste.
"Sorry," malamig kong sabi at binitawan ang baso. "Excuse me."
I stood from my seat. Nakita ko ang nagtatakang mata ng mommy. Sumimangot ako sa
kanya.
"What?" she mouthed pero bumusangot lang ako at tumikhim.
I noticed Rylee looking again pero 'di ko na nilingon at diretsong lumabas, nahuli
pa ang pagkagat ng gagong Zoren sa labi niya at tila natatawa sa akin.
I sat on the pavement in front of the fountain, iritadong pinagsisipa ang mga bato
roon.
Damn it! Gano'n na lang 'yon, Rylee? Madalang kang uuwi rito tapos tungkol sa
lalaking 'yon ang topic?
Ang bilis mo namang maka-move on! When I'm fucking stuck on you like an idiot!
Kapag ba mas nagpagwapo ako, magugustuhan mo 'ko ulit?
I licked my lower lip.
Should I pursue her again?
Shit, why would I? I'm not a slave to you, Rylee Addison.
I stopped with my childish thoughts when I saw her walking out of their mansion.
Hawak-hawak niya ang phone at nagtitipa roon.
She smiled while reading the message kaya mas nairita lang ako.
Probably her man. Liam, huh?
Her smile vanished when she almost slipped because of her heels.
You're always clumsy. Hindi kita lalapitan. Bahala ka.
Sa sunod na lakad ay napaupo na at natukod ang kamay. Ngumiwi siya, humawak pa sa

paa niya kaya bigla akong napatayo.
I fixed my hair with my fingers and licked my lower lip while making my way towards
her. I caught the shock in her soft eyes when she saw me.
"North?"
"Okay ka lang?" I inquired coldly. Inilahad ko ang kamay sa kanya.
"O-Oo," she answered with a small and awkward smile. Napatitig siya sa kamay kong
nakalahad at suminghap. "Ayos lang—"
"Take it," I demanded kaya napasinghap siya at tumango-tango.
She accepted it. The weird electricity ran from her fingers to mine, making me
freeze, but I didn't show her I was that affected while she looked stunned.
Naagaw ng pansin ko ang daliri niya. May maliit na sugat doon kaya kumunot ang noo
ko at ibinaba ang kamay sa palapulsuhan niya.
"North?" she said.
"Sit there," turo ko sa may fountain. "Your finger's bleeding."
Mukhang doon niya rin iyon natanto. Nagulat pa siya sa nakita kaya humawak ako sa
baywang niya.
I felt her stiffened with my sudden move but didn't say anything as I assisted her
towards the pavement where I was earlier.
"Wait for me here. Kukuha lang ako ng panlinis."
"Huh? Huwag na!" She shook her head, nanlalaki ang mata. "Ayos lang ako."
"No, look at that cut on your finger," I scolded. "You are so clumsy, Rylee
Addison."
"But I'm really fine—"
"You really don't want me around, do you? You're avoiding me?" malamig at matabang
kong tanong. Doon na siya natigalgal.
"Hindi..." iling niya. "Hindi naman gano'n, North." Nagbaba pa siya ng tingin.
"Then let me clean it," I demanded. "Stay there."
When I got back to Rylee, she looked so nervous. She was blushing pero seryoso ko
lang na nilinis ang kanyang sugat sa daliri.
A memory played in my head. We were like this, too. Naipit nga lang ang daliri niya
noon sa pintuan ng opisina ko sa sobrang kakulitan niya.
I glanced her way and saw her looking at me. Napakurap siya nang magtagpo ang mata
namin at biglang napatungo. Nahihiya.
"Why are you looking away?" I asked and removed the cotton from her finger.
"Wala lang," iling niya. "Ayos lang talaga ako, North. You don't have to clean
that."
"Remember before?" mahinang tanong ko kaya napatingin siya sa pwesto ko.
"Naipit 'yong kamay mo sa opisina ko kasi makulit ka?"
For the first time, her eyes twinkled and my heart quickened its pace. I missed it.
"Oo," Napangiti siya. "Ikaw kasi, e. Sinaraduhan mo 'kong pinto." Ngumuso siya.
"Still, you shouldn't slip your hand that way, paano kung naputol 'to, huh?"
I looked at her hand. "Hindi ko naman ila-lock ang pinto."
"'Di ko naman alam, e," nguso niya. "Pahabol ka kasi noon, North."
"Humabol ka naman?" My brows shot up and we both chuckled.
"Worth it naman 'yong sakit," she murmured. "Kasi 'di ba, ginamot mo 'ko no'n kaya
may time tayo together?"
"You're silly." Kinuha ko ang bandaid. "Huwag mong ipapahamak ang sarili mo."
"At least may time sa crush ko?" She giggled. "Ginamot mo nga 'ko tapos...oh, we
kissed!" she exclaimed.
I was frozen. Napatingin ako sa kanya at nagkatitigan kami. Bakas na bakas din ang
gulat sa kanyang mata sa nasabi at umawang ang labi.
Silence filled us. I could almost hear the blowing sound of the wind together with
my fast heartbeat.
Humigpit ang hawak ko sa kamay niya at nahuli ang pagpungay ng mga mata niya.
My eyes dropped from her eyes to her parted lips as I gulped miserably.
Gano'n din siya. I could feel how shocked she was, napatitig din sa labi ko kaya
binasa ko iyon at hinanap ang mga mata niyang nakatitig.
Damn, Rylee. I think I'm fucking whipped for you.
I tilted my face closer to her, feeling drowsy with her sweet scent. Gustong-gusto
ko siyang yakapin, ang hawakan siya sa braso ko. Ang hagkan siya.
I moved even closer and smelled her sweet breath against my nose. I tilted my head
to try and score a kiss, but she woke up and suddenly moved away.
"I'm sorry..." mahinang sabi niya at mabilis na tumayo. "P-Pasok na ako, North. S-
Salamat," Rylee murmured and left me there, watching her weakly while walking away
from me.
She was avoiding me. Ayaw na niya sa 'kin.
Bumibigat ang pakiramdam ko at walang-ganang ibinalik ang mga gamit sa medicine

kit.
"Gusto mo, anak, asarin kita kay Mia? Tingnan mo kung magseselos si Rylee?"
entrada pa ng mommy kaya sumimangot ako.
"No, don't," iling ko.
Tumawa siya at niyakap ako, "Naku, ang anak kong namang seloso. Hayaan mo na, hijo!
Gwapo ka naman talaga sa paningin ko. Joke lang iyong gwapo 'yong manliligaw niya.
Mas ka, anak. Bagay na bagay kayo ni Rylee."
"Tss..." I looked away but she kissed me on the cheek.
"Ang baby kong sipunin lang dati." She giggled. "Sige na, tingnan lang natin, ah?
Baka 'di pa talaga siya nakaka-move on sa 'yo?"
No matter how much I stopped her, she didn't. She opened a topic about mine and
Mia's plan for marriage to see Rylee's reaction—only to be disappointed.
It failed! Mas nilayuan lang ako! Pahamak 'tong nanay ko!
"Ano? Gusto mo pa rin ang kapatid ko?" tatawa-tawa pang tanong ni Zoren nang makita
akong seryoso ang titig sa shot glass sa harapan ko. "Hoy, p're."
"What is it to you?" I frowned. "She doesn't like me anymore, right? She has
suitors. I don't exist in her world anymore."
"Uh-huh." Tumawa pa siyang nang-aasar. "You look miserable, my friend. I love

seeing it."
Mas bumagsak ang balikat ko. Sinapok ko siya habang tatawa-tawa siya sa akin at
naiiling.
"You still don't want me for her," matabang kong sabi at sumimsim ng alak.
"Because you were busy with other girls before," he countered.
"We were young back then, Zoren," malamig kong sagot. "I stopped with girls long
ago, okay? Tapos iba naman ang ayaw mo?"
"Kasi busy ka masyado naman sa trabaho," ngisi niya.
"Saan ba ako lulugar?" matabang kong tanong kaya mas natawa siya at uminom din para
asarin pa ako.
"Sige, sige. Sabihin nating...paano kung gusto ka pa ng kapatid ko? Will you pursue
her? Kahit may nagawa siya noong mali? Will you forgive her?" he asked me and I
nodded, wala man lang pagdadalawang-isip.
"I will," mahinang sagot ko.
"E, sorry, ayaw ko pa rin sa 'yo para sa kapatid ko—"
"Fuck you, Zoren." Acid dripped from my voice when I glared at him. He was looking
at me with amusement. "Once I see your sister again, I'll pursue her.
To hell with you."

"Oh, sige, 'di ko papauwiin." Humalakhak siya at hinampas ang likod ko kaya
pinaulanan ko na ng mura dahil nabuga ko ang iniinom.
I couldn't bear this hollow feeling inside my chest anymore. I wanted her, I wanted
to see her so bad. The empty feeling became larger and it started consuming me that
I couldn't get her face off my head. I wanted to set my pride aside and have her
again—no matter what it took.
I wanted my Rylee back.
"Mom, when will be the next dinner party?" I asked my mother when Tita Dinah left
to the kitchen.
"I'm not so sure, anak." She shrugged. "Bakit? Rylee ba? Miss na miss mo na ba
kaagad?"
Hindi ako kaagad sumagot pero sa tingin ng mommy ay alam na niya ang iniisip ko.
"I'm gonna ask Dinah, okay?" she mumbled. "Pero I think they'll be inviting us for
a quick vacation. Remember that vacation house we bought near the beach last year?
They'll go there. We can join."
I nodded and stared at my hands, thinking about her.
When will you be back, Ry?
"Hello, naluto na 'yong pasta na ginagawa ko." Napatingin ako kay Tita Dinah nang
maglakad siya papabalabas ng kusina.
Nag-usap sila ni mommy habang tahimik lang akong nakikinig, nag-iisip ng paraan
para makausap na si Rylee. Her family didn't know her exact address abroad. Zoren
wouldn't even tell me. Magkamatayan na raw kami at 'di niya sasabihin.
I wanted to see her. I wanted so bad to see Rylee. It had been months now.
"Oh, speaking of Rylee, she's arriving at the airport today and she didn't want us
to fetch her!"
Doon na nabuhay ang katawang-lupa ko. Mabilis kong nilingon si Tita Dinah.
"Right now, Tita?" I asked. Napansin ko ang nangingising labi ni mommy nang makita
ang reaksyon ko.
"Yes." She sighed. "but you know that brat. Ayaw pasundo kahit hapon na."
"I can fetch her." Halos ibenta ko na ang sarili ko kay tita na mukhang nagulat sa
akto ko.
"Are you sure, hijo?" she asked in amazement. "Itong hapon ang dating niya, ayaw
niya kasing magpasundo."
"It's rush hour." Sumulyap ako sa orasan ko at sa kanya. "She'll be having trouble
commuting. I'll go get her."
"Are you sure?" Her eyes widened excitedly. "Hindi kita pinipilit, hijo, ah?
Ayos lang talaga kung wala. Ayaw ding magpasundo ng batang iyon."
Mom moved her brows, cheering me silently.
"I wanna fetch her, Tita." I offered. "I'm free tonight. It's okay and safer that
way."
When I saw her again at the airport, I had this urge to hug her tight. I wanted to
confess right away my feelings for her and tell her I loved her, but the thought of
her boyfriend bothered me again.
She looked scared and uncomfortable while talking to me at the airport. I noticed
her looking back at the exit and I actually thought she had her boyfriend with her.
It annoyed me.
I couldn't help but feel bitter when I remembered how easily it was for her to move
on from me. Parang wala kaming pinagsamahan, parang hindi niya ako minahal noon
habang ako...ito, naiiwan pa rin sa kanya.
Instead of moving on, I found myself falling harder. Deeper.
Winning Rylee back would be an answered prayer, and knowing about North Stefan, our
son—was such a winning moment.
I couldn't help it and my emotions piled up remembering how I did not believe what
she told me before. That she was pregnant with my son that time. Sana pala ay
naniwala ako, sana pala ay mas pinagbutihan ko. Sana mas inintindi ko siya.
Mistakes were common in everyone's lives. It was just up to you if you let that
mistake be a mistake alone—or let it become a lesson and learn from it.
She lied to me before. She deceived me, but that deception made me thankful
somehow. It served as a bridge for our hearts and our fate to entirely tangle
against each other's. It made our paths cross and our hearts closer.
"Papa, cook?" Stefan asked while seated on the chair.
"Yep," I answered and smiled. "Your mama will be home shortly, let's finish her
dinner, hmm?"
"Okay!" he exclaimed happily, making me smile.
I carried my four-year-old son in my arms. Kumapit siya sa leeg ko habang

naglalakad ako sa niluluto at sinisilip iyon.
I took a spoon to taste it. Nahuli ko ang anak na pinagmamasdan ako kaya hinagkan
ko ang kanyang pisngi at mas inayos siya sa braso ko.
Kumuha pa ako muli ng sauce sa niluluto. Hinipan ko iyon bago inilapit sa anak na
kaagad iyong nilasahan.
I watched his reaction. He had wide black eyes and pouty red lips. Mapula ang
pisngi niya at medyo mabilog kaya nakakaaliw siyang pagmasdan.
"Bumibigat ang anak ko, ah? How is it, son?" I asked.
"Yummy!" he answered and licked his lip. "Yum! Yum!" he cheered.
Binaba ko ang kutsara at binuhat siya sa dalawang braso. "Talaga, yummy?" I teased
playfully.
He nodded repeatedly and smiled. "Yummy! Mama is happy!" he cheered, earning a

laugh from me. I kissed my son's cheek and neck. Narinig ko ang hagikhik niya at
inabot ang leeg ko para sumubok ding kumiliti kaya napuno kami ng tawanan.
"I love you, Stefan," I whispered and kissed his cheek. "Excited ka na ba kumain?"
"Hmm! Stefan loves papa!" He stopped and his eyes widened excitedly. "And mama!"
I heard a soft and familiar laugh. Umayos ako ng tayo, unti-unting nilingon ang
tinitingnan ng anak at napangiti nang makita ang asawa kong nakasandal sa may gilid
ng kitchen at pinapanuod kaming dalawa.
"Baby, you're home." I smiled. "Kanina ka pa?"
"Two minutes ago?" She smiled sweetly. "I was just watching my adorable babies
playing around."
Naglakad kami palapit sa kanya. Halos tumalon pa ang anak namin sa braso ko
papalapit sa mama kaya napangisi ako.
"Excited to see your mom, huh?" I commented.
"Hi, baby." Rylee smiled sweetly and took Stefan from me to give him a kiss.
"Ang bango ng baby ko, ah? Nag-shower ka na?"
"Opo!" He nodded.
"Sino nag-shower sa 'yo, 'nak?" she asked gently.
"Papa!" he answered and pointed at me kaya lumapit akong lalo sa kanila.
I touched my wife's waist. Ngumiti siya sa akin bago halikan si Stefan.
"Ang bigat na ng baby ko, ah? Dami kang kinain?" she asked him and he nodded, at
maya-maya pa'y nagpumilit nang bumaba kaya hinayaan na naming mag-asawa.
We watched him run towards his toy cars at the corner.
I looked at my wife and saw happiness dancing in her mixed black and brownish eyes
while staring at our son.
"Hi, baby." Hinuli ko ang baywang niya at marahang tinulak siya sa pader kaya
napasandal siya roon.
"Hi, North ko." Her lips rose into a soft smile, putting her arms on my shoulders
as she looked up at me. "I missed you."
"I missed you too," I murmured, moved my face closer while caressing her waist.
Ipinaraan ko ang ilong ko sa kanya at nagnakaw ng halik. "Ang bango mo, Rylee ko."
"You too." She gave me a peck and caught my eyes. "And handsome too. I love you,
North."
My heart melted. I didn't know the exact words to use to express how much I was in
love with her, kaya idinaan ko iyon sa malambing na halik at pagyakap sa katawan
niya.
"I love you too," bulong ko at inabot ang bag niya. "How was the shoot?
Napagod ba ang asawa ko?"
"A little." She shrugged and cupped my cheek. "Pero nawala naman kasi nakita ko
kaagad ang mag-ama ko." She kissed my jaw and my lips again kaya napapikit ako at
mas hinapit siya.
"Can I have a session tonight?" I whispered on her lips, and they vibrated when she
laughed. Kinagat niya ang pang-ibabang labi ko bago ako yakapin sa leeg.
"Okay," bulong niya, "kapag tulog na si Stefan."
I became excited. Humiwalay lang ako sa asawa nang maamoy ang niluluto. I planted a
small kiss on her again before walking to the counter and turning the stove off.
Inayos ko ang hapag habang binubuhat naman ni Ry ang anak namin papunta sa stool
para makakain.
Nilagyan ko ang plato ng mag-ina ko. Rylee was smiling sweetly, and she filled the
glass with the fresh pineapple juice I made.
"Before eating, I want to tell you boys something," she announced kaya napatitig
ako sa kanya.
My son looked distracted by the food kaya kinalabit ko at hinalikan sa pisngi.
"Mama Rylee will tell us something, son," I whispered, at doon na nakuha ang
atensyon niya.
We both glanced at her. My wife looked nervous and excited at the same time kaya
nagtaka ako pero na-e-excite rin.
"What is it, baby?" I asked and she bit her lip and sighed.
"Um, the truth is...these past few weeks, I could feel something weird in me.
Madalas na mabigat ang pakiramdam ko. Tapos ang sensitive ko," she confessed.
My heart pounded. Natahimik ako habang pinagmamasdan ang asawa kong nangingiti. I
already had an idea what she was talking about kaya mas kabado ako.
"So I decided to go to an OB today and..." Rylee flashed a sweet smile and opened
her bag, at halos manginig ang kamay ko nang iabot niya sa akin ang isang maliit na
picture.
My eyes swelled when I saw a familiar photo. Nangilid ang luha ko at humigpit ang
hawak ko bago sumulyap sa asawa ko.
"Ry..."
"You're a father, North," she announced, and a tear fell from her eye.
"Again."
Doon na tuluyang nahulog ang luha ko. Napatitig ako sa ultrasound ng asawa ko
pabalik sa kanya na nagpupunas na ng luha.
"Papa? What?" my son's small voice asked in confusion kaya napatawa na ako at
tumayo para buhatin siya.
"Mama Rylee is p-pregnant again, son," I told him. "Y-You're a big brother now."
"Playmate?" he asked me happily and I nodded and sniffed, kissing his cheek.
Narinig ko ang pagsinghot ng asawa ko. Nang magkatinginan kami ay malalaking

hakbang ang ginawa ko para makalapit na sa kanya nang tuluyan at binalot siya at
ang anak namin ng yakap.
"North ko..." she whispered when I sniffed on her shoulder.
"I-I'm a father again?" my voice broke and trembled.
"Yes..." she whispered. "Papa ka na u-ulit."
"I love you," I said. "Thank you, Ry. Thank you. I love you."
"Mahal ko rin kayo," she whispered back.
It made me more emotional. Paulit-ulit kong hinalikan ang leeg ng asawa ko bago
bahagyang ibinaba ang katawan kasama si Stefan at hinalikan ang tiyan niya.
"Hi, baby..." I whispered and caressed it, only to stop midway when Stefan imitated
me and kissed his Mom's stomach.
"Yehey! Hi, playmate!" he exclaimed happily, earning laughter from us.
Nag-angat ako ng tingin kay Rylee. She was watching us with happy tears, and I
stood and kissed her again, sealing my promise to keep our family together and
cherish it...'til the very end.
Document Outline
(1) Heated Deceptions - Master🥀
Heated Deceptions - Foreword - Wattpad
(1) Heated Deceptions - Prologue - Page 5

(1) Heated Deceptions - Epilogue - Page 15

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(1) Heated Deceptions - Master🥀

Complete, First published Aug 17

Heated Deceptions: A Collaboration Novel written by heartlessnostalgia and

DISCLAIMER: This story is written in Taglish.

COVER DESIGN: Regina Dionela

All Rights Reserved

Table of contentsLast updated 2 days ago

Heated Deceptions - Foreword - Wattpad

(A Collaboration Novel written by heartlessnostalgia and HiroYuu101)

Heated Deceptions: A Collaboration Novel written by heartlessnostalgia and

Message from Comms:

Hello, everyone! I am really thrilled to share this collaboration novel to you!

Message from Master:

#HeatedDeceptionsWP! Thank you!

(1) Heated Deceptions - Prologue - Page 5

"Opo, palabas na, Ate! Pasabi po saglit lang!" I said.

"Oo, Ma'am," aniya. "Anong nangyari...naka-makeup ka?"

"Opo, ganda ba, Ate?" I smirked and she just blinked.

"Tara, 'Te, samahan na kita!" I exclaimed cheerfully at tumango siya at hinayaan

What was funny?

"Napansin mo, ah!" I giggled. "Bagay ba, North?"

I heard the door open pero diretso lang akong naglalakad.

"A-Ako na!" I exclaimed.

"H-Here..." I gave it to him at kaagad niya iyong kinuha.

He smelled nice. Mula sa pwesto ko sa kanyang tabi ay kitang-kita ko ang hulma ng

"Quit it," malamig niyang sabi.

"I'd never like you that way, kid."

(1) Heated Deceptions - Chapter 1 - Page 3

Until I realized na si North na lang ang pinapanood ko at hindi na ang friendship

And my friend, Andrea, noticed it.

"Oh? Bakit mukhang 'di ka yata excited na lunch break na?"

"Wala. I'm just not in the mood." I sighed again.

"Iyon na nga, e. Quote unquote, naligaw na 'ko sa college department kahapon.

I nodded sadly. "Yeah..."

I sighed at my thought. Yeah...I was thinking nonsense things. I just hope na

"I'm not sure... kahit anong mayro'n na magustuhan ko."

Kaya pala amoy pa lang, parang ang gwapo na!

"Finally!" Kuya Zoren suddenly exclaimed, making me look at him. "Tinawag mo na

He nodded at me in recognition. "Be careful."

"Ah...I thought n-naligaw din kayo, e."

Gosh...Did I just really stutter? That was so lame!

Nawala kaagad ang ngiti ko sa sinabi ni kuya. Napatingin ako sa kanya at

I pointed at my face. "—Look!"

"Anong masama sa itsura mo?"

"How do I look, then?" I challenged her.

"What's with the pause?!" mangiyak-ngiyak kong tanong.

Mabilis akong napahagod sa buhok ko. I tried to straighten it which I immediately

Oh no...would North ever like me back? I sighed. He saw me in a terrible appearance

"So they're med students?"

Nakapila si Andrea sa likod ko so I had to turn around just to look at her.

Nakita ko pa ang babaeng nakapila sa likod niya na mukhang nakikinig sa usapan

"You think so?" I asked with a smile, showing my braces.

"North likes me?" I asked then giggled.

North will like me too.

(1) Heated Deceptions - Chapter 2 - Page 4

"Na dati bangag ka lang tapos ngayon model ka na."

'glow up', Drea."

"Marunong na ako, ano!" I said, but I really didn't. "'Tsaka...palagi kong

"Ma'am, here..." Nagmamadaling tinulungan ako ng staff na magbihis sa panibagong

I touched my other shoulder, preparing a proper posture for a pose I wanted to

"There, gorgeous!" he exclaimed. Halos masilaw na ako sa sunod-sunod na kislap ng

"Rylee! What's with you? Wake up!"