GILUMAY SA MAIS

 Part 1. 

Hi UCC. I'm a guy. I made a deal with myself that before she graduates from your university March/April next year (as I'm sending this in the last days of December 2015) or this 2016 (if this gets posted in January 2016, which would be better) , I'd share our not-so-unique love story yet I hope others would learn a lesson from this. 

I apologize in advance if mag-taTagLish ako in my confession. I'm a San Beda College alumnus (for your info, that's in Manila) and I lived in Manila since birth 'til I moved here in Davao City. I understand Bisaya but I neither speak nor write it fluently. My mom is from Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur, and I grew up listening to her speak to us in Bisaya. However, I'm more used to speaking TagLish because that's how I talk with her at home and all the people I know.

Napataas ko ang apology ko. I'll begin. 

After graduating, I was planning to propose to my gf for 3 years (since 2nd yr. college). However, Dad decided that mom and I move to Davao. That's because he wants me to eventually take over the branch of our business here in DC, and so that Mom can visit her relatives anytime more conveniently since Sta. Cruz is about an hour drive from here.

So I told ""R"" (my ex) about that and asked her if she may come along. She surprisingly answered me ""No. Di ako papayagan nina Daddy & Mommy"". So I asked permission from her parents as I was desperate to take her with me. Tutal, we've already graduated. Her parents agreed. But, she insisted to stay in Manila. Payag raw syang mag-LDR kami. At first I was angered by her decision because I know she loves me and I couldn't understand why she won't come with me, but in the end, I just accepted it. Then mom and I flew here to Davao. For 2 months, constantly communicating kami ni R. Then suddenly, she treated me coldly. Not replying to my messages anymore. Not answering my calls. I wondered about it so I decided to ask her bestfriend about what R's up to... But I wasn't able to continue when I saw in R's bestfriend's timeline a tagged photo. In it was R with a guy sweetly hugging her from behind! I was so dumbfounded when I saw that. Totally heartbroken. 

Then I sent the photo to R. She just seen-zoned me. 

I called her parents and they replied they don't know anything about R's lovelife kasi they think we were going strong. 

I let my anger subside for days so that I won't say bitchy words to R if I talked to her right away. However I kept stalking her and her bestfriend's social media accounts. That guy with R kept on appearing there. The day came for me to call her. She answered it. Thank God. Our convo went like this (non-verbatim):

Me: R, I saw a photo in H's timeline days ago. That photo I sent you in your inbox. Who's that guy with you?

R: (instantly) That's just my cousin. 

Me: Really? Then why does he seem to appear in every photo in your insta? And why is he not sweet to your other friends? Don't lie. 

R: You're being paranoid, N (my nickname starts with this letter). Shut the f*** up.

(Dead air)

I took that sudden ending of our call as the end of our 3-year relationship I cherished more than how I cherished friendships with my closest friends. I didn't know what to do. I didn't go home after that phone call. I spent the rest of my day drinking in a bar somewhere. 

The next day, I told my mom what happened between me and R. Thank God I have my mom. However, despite her comforting words, I felt so empty inside. So shattered that R just threw those 3 years that easily! That answered my question why she was not willing to live with me here in Davao. 

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FF, almost 2 weeks passed since that awful breakup. R didn't call or text me. Everything's clear between us.

Sad to say, I still couldn't move on. In those times, I never checked my FB and insta accounts. 

Because of the heartache, I thought I'd just reminisce how we've used to be. I opened my FB — planning to look through our photos together, planning to read our sweet, funny convos when there was still an ""us"". 

But upon opening my FB, the first thing which greeted me was a lone notif for a message . I opened it and it's from a girl who's kinda ""stalking"" me for almost 2 years. I just seen-zoned her through those years. She kept sending me long messages which I only scanned on quickly. They're all puppy-love-ish type of messages so I didn't mind them. However, this time, her message grabbed my attention. (I copied this from her actual message)

""Kuya, nabalitaan kong break na kayo ng gf mo. Hindi ka na nag-oonline. Iniisip ko baka malungkot na malungkot ka. Depressed ka ba ngayon kuya? Wag kang magpapakamatay kuya ha! Di lang sya ang nag-iisang babae sa mundo. Tumingin-tingin ka rin sa tabi-tabi, malay mo dun pala yung susunod na magpapatibok ng puso mo (whistle sound). 

Kuya, tawanan mo ako. Halika, gagamutin ko yang puso mong sugatan. Promise, lalagyan ko ng betadine. Di naman mahapdi yun. O tiisin mo na lang. Gawin mo akong girlfriend for 1 week, pramis, papagalingin ko yang puso mo. 

Pero ok! Ayaw mo sige. Umiyak kang mag-isa (T_T) 

Joke lang kuya, pinapatawa lang kita. 

P.S. Seryoso ako sa offer ko.""

That message is crazy. For a while, I laughed because of what she told me. By the way, she sent it 3 days after R and I broke up. I wondered how she knew na break na kami ni R tho' I haven't changed my status in FB. 

So I replied to her: 

""Hi M, paano mo nalaman na break na kami ng gf ko? Only my mom and close friends know that we've already broken up. Stalker ka ba talaga? You're creepy.""

After an hour or so, she replied: 

""Huy. Nag reply na sya! 

Kuya, alam mo ba kung gaano ko katagal hinintay na mangyari tong araw na'to? Thank you kuya!! <3

Grabe ka naman makapagbintang. Kasi ganito yun kuya, yung pinsan ko isa sa mga close friends mo. Nakilala nga kita dahil sa FB nya eh. Hehehe. So hindi po ako stalker kuya. Chismosa lang."" 

Then I asked her who her cousin is and oo nga, he's one of my close friends who still lives in Manila. I texted my friend (M's cousin) if they're really cousins since magkaiba ang surnames nila. He confirmed it, and added (non-verbatim) ""Napansin mo na talaga sya tol after 48 years. Ano'ng reaksyon nya? Hahaha, baliw na baliw yun sa'yo tol. O nga pala, taga-Davao rin yon. High school pa. Maaga nang lumalandi. Pero sa'yo lang."" He also confessed that he told M about my break-up with R after I told him about it. 

That night I wasn't able to sleep. I kept thinking about M's message. The thing that really struck me most in it was not the fact she knew my recent break-up, but... Her ""offer"". 

So I messaged her in FB: 

"" May I have your number? Saan ka nag-aaral? Ano'ng oras ang uwian nyo? 

Susunduin kita bukas."" 

After a few minutes she replied: 

"" O_O 

Kuya, totoo ba yang sinasabi mo? Pasmado ka ba? Eh sa Manila ka diba? Ano, eroplano ang pangsundo mo sa akin?

09********* "" 

I instantly answered:

""Dito na ako ngayon sa Davao, simula pa nung May. Di ko lang ginagalaw ang profile info ko. Saan ka nga nag-aaral at oras ng uwian mo?"" 

M: ""O_O Totoo ba kuya?? 

City High ang skul ko kuya. Alam mo kung saan yun? Itanong mo diretso papasok doon sa Central Bank. 4pm uwian ko."" 

Me: ""Ok, I'll text you tomorrow."" 

By deciding to meet her, reader, you already know what I meant with it. 

I'll continue in Part 2. 

(UCC Admins, I thank you all in advance sa pagpost nito if ever mapopost ninyo.) 

To those who might doubt the truth of this story (this part and the following parts): BACK OFF. This is real. 

Note: M's name doesn't start with 'M' . That's just a codename for her and you'll know the reason why in Part 2. 

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#UCClovelife 

"Gilumay sa Mais" Part 2. 

Note: All the convos here are non-verbatim except for my reaction the first time I saw her. Yung ibang Bisaya dito tinanong ko sa Mom ko. That "" nawewerla"" na word, madalas na sinasabi ni M whenever she's bombarded with assignments and projects, in short, when she's stressed. 

Mahabang-mahaba to. Read at your own risk.

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Before sleeping, I opened M's profile to look for a photo of her so that I can recognize her immediately tomorrow. I started about 10pm. Mag-e-11pm na lang, I couldn't find a pic of her in her albums or even in tagged photos to her. Puro pictures ng Korean guys (Now I know that they're the group BIGBANG. Kpopper si M, loyal VIP sya noon. Ngayon mas marami na siyang ""bias"" especially Kai and Sehun of EXO. Yung profile picture nya that time was G-Dragon). 

Losing hope to ever find a pic of her in her FB, I texted her to send me a pic of herself. She replied naman but answered: "" Bukas na kuya, para suspense! Hahaha"". 

Hesitating a bit to ask her cousin because maybe he might ask me why I was asking him, I went on and texted my friend (M's cousin):

Me: Pare, may you send me a pic of your cousin? If ever you have one in your phone...

MC (M's cousin): Why tol? Curious ka?

Me: A little. Meron ba o wala?

MC: Bakit?

Me: Kulit mo. Wala lang! Isend mo na!

MC: Wala! 

Me: Ok, how does she look like?

MC: Maganda, matangkad, sexy, hmm, maputi. 

Me: Who's more beautiful, R or your cousin? 

MC: Syempre si pinsan! Why are you asking talaga? I smell something fishy. I'll text her (M) na lang na humihingi ka ng pic nya. 

Me: Don't tell her! I'll kill you, (insert swear words) 

So I hung up, and texted M. ""Humingi ako ng pic sa pinsan mo. Wala raw syang pic.""

M: Hahahaha, pinadescribe mo rin daw ako kay kuya. Ikaw kuya ha, naninigurado ka. 

(Putek, ang bilis ng chismoso).

Me: Para once I see you, ako na ang lalapit sa'yo. 

M: Wag na kuya, ako na lang pupunta sa'yo. Nahihiya ako eh. Sige na kuya, gumagawa pa ako ng assignment eh, di ako makapagconcentrate! Kinikilig ako!

Me: Sorry. Goodnight, see you tomorrow. 

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Next day. Wednesday. About 3:45pm, M texted me. 

M: Kuya nakarating ka na? Sori nagkaklase pa kami. Malayo pa ang room namin sa gate. 

Me: I'm already at the parking lot sa tapat ng school niyo. (I then texted her the color of my car and the plate number).

M: Ang aga mo naman kuya! Kinakabahan na ako. Sige makikinig muna ako sa sermon ni Ma'am. 

4pm was about to strike. I waited for her inside my car and looked for that ""maganda, matangkad, sexy, maputing"" girl and ""mas maganda pa kay R"" just like how my friend described her to be. Part of me knows my friend was just kidding, but I was hoping much that she'd be like that. You know, we guys love pretty, hot girls. 

About 4:30pm, M texted me: ""Kuya wait, may pinaphotocopy kami sa labas. Wait lang talaga. Sori. Marami pang tao."" 

Me: Ok take your time. 

I was listening to (not too loud) music then with my windows closed. I was singing along with it (eyes closed paminsan-minsan when I feel the song) that I didn't notice the time pass.

All of a sudden, I heard a gentle knock on the passenger's seat's door. My eyes were closed then kasi feel na feel ko yung pagkanta ko. The good thing is that my car's glass panes are heavily tinted that if viewed outside, it's like a mirror, and only the one inside the car can see the person outside. Back to the story, I opened my eyes and looked at the person who was knocking. 

""F*****it, MC (M's cousin) as***le."" 

I admit, I was that disappointed when I saw her. She is the OPPOSITE of what her cousin described her! But she's fair-skinned and makinis ang mukha. However, still, I had second thoughts to whether I'd go on with my plan or not. Whether to tell her it's the wrong car. Sh**. I realized I told her my car's color and plate number. Sh**, what kind of mess am I getting myself into? 

So I calmed myself, turned the volume of my sound system down, and... opened the window of the passenger's seat. 

M: Kuya, pasensya na po, kulang po kasi ang pamasahe ko ng bentesingko sentimos. Pautang lang po. Babayaran ko po kayo bukas.

After hearing that, I howled in laughter. I could hear her say ""Hehehe."" 

Me: Open it. Bukas yan. 

Then she went in and instantly closed the door and the window. 

M: Whew, baka makita ako ng teachers ko o ng iba kong classmates. 

Kuya, (may kinuha sya sa loob ng bag nya — boiled yellow corn sabay abot sa akin), gusto mo ng Mais? 

Me: No thanks. Saan ang bahay nyo? Hatid kita. 

M: Bagong kita pa nga lang natin, pauuwiin mo na ako agad? Tambay muna tayo sa mall. Sa SM, alam mo kung saan yun? 

Me: Yes. 

So we went to SM. 

Reader, now you know why I codenamed her M. She loves Mais so much, to the extent na halos araw-araw yun ang snack nya pag-uwi. 

As I was driving, she ate her corn and really looked patay-gutom. I wouldn't wonder why she's very fat. 

Me: Dahan-dahan lang. Baka mabulunan ka. 

M: Hihihi, concerned raw sya. Ano ba kuya, wag ka ngang ganyan! 

In fact, she didn't care na nakakatawa na talaga ang mukha nya while eating corn. After she finished eating, may kinuha na naman sya sa bag nya. Another corn! 

Me: Ilan ba'ng binili mo? 

M: 4 kuya. Tig-dadalawa sana tayo. Pero ayaw mo eh. Pa'no to? Uubusin kong lahat? Ok na ok lang. Hehehe. 

Me: Give me one. Park muna ako. 

Then I parked my car somewhere near Davao Doc Hospital kasi doon lang may parking space. I actually haven't eaten street foods so far, but I accepted one corn from her kahit nandidiri ako. I ate it and ... ang tabang. 

M: Masarap diba? 

Me: Oo (with a forced smile)

I ate it quickly then drove again. 

She just continued munching it. One can tell at first look that it's her most favorite food. 

Na-traffic kami doon sa Generoso Bridge near Bankerohan, and by that time, she was done eating. She then asked me: ""Kuya, ano'ng half ka?"" 

Me: What half?

M: Half-Blood prince ba. 

(I laughed). 

M: Ano ka ba, half-American, yung ganon? Kasi ang tangkad mo, ang tisoy-tisoy, ang puti-puti mo, (and in a soft voice, almost a whisper) ug gwapo kaayo ka sobra...hihihi.

Me: Half-German. Di mo pa pala alam yan?

M: German? Marunong akong mag-German, kuya! 

I raised an eyebrow in disbelief. I never even ventured to study my dad's native language. It's so difficult to be honest. My elder brothers and I talk to him in English (and dad also knows a bit of Bisaya). 

Back to the convo, I asked: Sample nga? 

M: Aw! Aw! Aw! (with an excited hungry dog's expression pa)

I bursted to laughter again! GRABE! Loka-loka talaga! 

M: (with a serious face) Ano'ng nakakatawa dun, kuya? Nakakaoffend ka naman. (Pouts lips)

Me: Ano yun? German shepherd? 

M: Oo, kuya. 

I still can't stop laughing when finally the vehicles started pacing onwards. 

Then I told her: ""Payag akong girlfriend kita for one week. One week lang ha. Baka humingi ka ng extension."" 

M's pout trembled, and it slowly became a smile. A wide smile. Then, showing her teeth. 

M: Totoo kuya? Totoo ba yan? Baka pinagti-tripan mo lang ako ha?

I looked at her. Ang lapad pa rin ng ngiti nya. But I broke into laughter again. There are bits of corn trapped in between some of her teeth!

Me: (Hahahaha!) Tanggalin mo nga yang mais sa ngipin mo. Do you have a mirror? 

M: Shocks! (Nawewerla na) Wala kuya eh. Pwede ba side mirror? 

Then she opened her window and removed those bits of corn with a finger. I admit nandiri ako sa ginawa nya. So unlady-like. But it's funny. 

Nang natanggal na nya, she excitedly spoke again: ""Kuya sure ka talaga? Sineryoso mo yung message ko?""

Me: Oo, there's nothing wrong with it naman. Bakit, niloloko mo lang ba ako?

M: (nanlaki ang mata) Hindi ah! Seryosong-seryoso talaga ako, pero di ko inexpect to! Akala ko makikipagkita ka lang sa akin ngayon.

I just smiled. She kept giggling. Kilig na kilig.

We reached SM. Boarded off the car. Tumabi sya sa akin and in awe, she said: ""Kuya, ang tangkad-tangkad mo pala talaga."" 

And she walked away from me. Tumakbo pa nga. 

Me: (shouting) Little sis! Sandali lang. 

She stopped and turned to me, smiling. Ang cute-cute nya pala. 

I caught up with her. 

Me: Ba't mahihiya ka? Opposites attract diba?

M: (kinurot ako sa tagiliran) Sa bagay, kuya, hihihi. 

Nakakahiya rin baka ano'ng sabihin ng ibang tao... 

Me: Link arms with me. 

Tinitigan nya ako, nahihiya talaga, but did it anyway. I thought we'd look like real lovers if we do that. 

(But we didn't completely link arms. I'm 6'3, she's barely 5'0. Di nya maabot ang elbow ko so she just linked her arm with my wrist). 

I decided that in this one week — from this day on — I will just play along. I'll do my part in this role play I chose to take part in. I'll play my character well. I think that through this, I'll forget the heartache I'm feeling ... for a while. 

Now we had to decide where to eat. I walked her to Yellow Cab. As we were heading to it, she asked ""Saan tayo kakain?"" 

Me: Yellow Cab.

M: Wag dyan. Mahal, kuya. 

Me: I will pay for everything, don't worry. 

M: (Nahihiya) Jolibee na lang tayo, Kuya. Miss ko na yung Burger Yum. 

Me: Mas masarap doon sa Yellow Cab. 

M: Eeeh (pouts lips) 

May pagka-pushy din sya. Para di masira ang first day namin, pinagbigyan ko na lang sya. But it tells me a part of her. I think may pagka-matipid sya. 

I lined up to order. Sabi ko: ""Baby, hanap ka na doon ng table natin"". Nanlaki ang mata ni M. Baka nabaguhan sa ""Baby"".

"" Basta baby, burger yum at French Fries at ummm... Yun lang."" 

""Ok babe"", me smiling sweetly. 

I couldn't believe na ang galing ko palang actor. Yung ibang nakapila doon, ""pinanood"" kaming dalawa. Di ko alam kung ano'ng iniisip nila but I don't care at all. 

FF, sarap na sarap sya sa burger yum at french fries. Isa lang ang inorder kong spaghetti because I had something in my mind. 

""Baby, ah — "" 

M looked at me, shocked. 

""Ah na. Lalamig tong spag."" 

So she opened her mouth and ate yung sinubo ko sa kanya. I can see from the side of my eyes na yung katabi naming table na magjowa rin ay tiningnan kami. 

Tapos she took her cp out and texted someone. 

I received a message. Ako pala ang tinext nya. 

""Kuya ha, di mo ako inorient, hehehe. Kaya pala dalawang tinidor ang kinuha mo. Akala ko sa'yo lang ang spag."" 

Tiningnan nya ako, nakatawa. Kinikilig, halatang-halata, hahaha. 

So she took a piece of fries and imitated me: ""Ah—"" 

And I ate it. 

Nagsubuan kami doon, PDA to the max. Walang pakialam sa mundo. Natatawa ako habang tinatype ko 'to. Hahaha! Kung alam nyo lang gaano ka-irritated yung magjowang katabi namin at kung paano kami ninanakawan ng tingin ng magbabarkadang nasa bandang likod na table ni M. 

After we're done eating, I walked her to Watson's and excused myself na bibili muna ako sa Yellow Cab. 

When I returned I asked her if she wanted to buy something. Wala raw. So we headed to the parking lot. 

Me: Where do you live?

M: Sa Boulevard. Sa ——. Seryoso ka kuya, ihahatid mo pa rin ako sa amin? 

Me: BABY. Ano'ng kuya? 

She giggled. 

M: Kuya naman eh. 

Me: BABY (pagalit).

M: Oo na. BA~BY. Pinapatay mo ako lalo. (Kurot na naman sa right arm ko). 

Me: Wag mo akong kinukurot. Gusto mong makipagbreak agad ako sa'yo pag-uwi mo? 

M: Sori baby, hindi na. Sori. 

Me: (Kinurot ko yung dalawang pisngi nya) Good baby good! 

M: (pinipigilan ang kamay ko) Nyaaaa~ Samuka nimo oi! Bag-o ra gani nag-ingon dili mangusi, sya diay mangusi! 

Me: (pretending not to understand) Ano? Nagbibisaya ka eh! Pakitranslate agad para huminto na ako. 

M: ANG GWAPO MO, YUN LANG! Uwi na tayo. Papaluin ako ni Papa pag late ako. 

Me: Ok, forgiven. 

Pero natawa ako kasi naintidihan ko at nagsinungaling sya. 

Then I drove her to their place. She told me to stop sa kanto. 

M: Dito na lang, baby. Baka makita ako ng mga kapitbahay ko, ano pang masabi nila sa akin. Patay din ako o pati ikaw kay Papa pag nakita ka nya. 

Me: Ok. Wala bang goodnight kiss? 

Nanlaki na naman ang mata nya. Akala ko bibigyan nya ako agad kasi crush na crush nga nya ako. 

(Sampal) 

Me: Aray!

M: Bastos ka, baby! (Sabay baba sa car). 

Naglakad sya papasok. But after several steps, she turned around, sent me a flying kiss, and waved a fist to me. Ang cute nya talaga. Nakakatuwa. 

Hehehe, inaamin kong kinilig ako medyo sa kanya. 

Akala ko mababad-trip ako sa mukha nya for the rest of the day. Pero nawala yun nung nag-joke agad sya kanina. Ang saya nya palang kasama. Parang kaibigan lang. At ang cute nya. 

Pag-uwi ko ng bahay, ang lapad ng smile ko. Ate Mayang (maid namin) saw me. 

""Sir, parang ang saya nyo po."" 

""Wala lang."" 

I texted M na nakauwi na ako. 

I went straight to my room. Hahaha. I felt I wasn't playing. Parang tinotohanan ko 'tong pinasok kong ""deal"". 

Suddenly, I remembered... Ang pizza! 

Actually, I bought two boxes. One for her, one for me. 

So I have no choice, I ran hurriedly downstairs. Mom saw me. 

""N..."" 

""Mom, I forgot something. Will be right back."" 

Yeah, bumalik ako sa lugar nila Baby. Mabuti hindi na masyadong traffic. Tinext ko sya na nasa kanto nila ako. 

M: Ano?

Me: Labas na, may ibibigay ako sa'yo. 

M: Tempa sa. Ay... wait. 

After a few minutes, lumabas na sya. She was wearing jersey shorts and t-shirt. Parang tomboy. 

Me: Dali! 

M: (tumango lang) 

She remained about 5 feet away from my car. 

Me: Lapit ka pa. May iaabot ako. 

Lumapit sya. 

Me: (nilabas ang pizza box) Nakalimutan ko pala. Sinampal mo ako kanina eh. 

M: (parang pinipigilan ang ngiti) Ows, nag-abala ka pa. Tapos nakauwi ka na kanina. 

Me: Dapat kasi may pasalubong ang boyfriend sa pamilya ng girlfriend nya. 

M: (kinurot na naman ako) Ikaw talaga, ang galing mong mambola! 

Me: Kiss ko. 

M: (pinunas ang palad nya sa mukha ko)

Me: Pweh, ano ba yan, amoy toyo! 

Natawa lang ang loka-loka. 

M: Salamat ha. Ingat ka sa pag-drive! 

Tapos naglakad na sya pauwi. 

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Kahit na she's DEFINITELY NOT MY TYPE the first time I saw her (sabi pa nga ni M mukhang dumi lang sya sa kuko ni R), magaan na magaan naman ang loob ko sa kanya. So far, if that's how she is, I think this role I'll play will be easier for me. 

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That's our first day together. 

P.S. I love you, Baby! Joke! 

Half-German/Half-Shepherd||

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Thursday. 2nd day. 

Ang ganda ng gising ko. Mom asked me bakit good mood na ako. "" Wala lang,"" was still my answer. She was so surprised kasi in the previous 2 weeks, wala ako sa sarili ko. 

""I'm glad you're ok na, N"", mama told me. 

"" Let's say I saw something kahapon which cheered me up."" 

Ngiti lang si Mom ko. 

I went to work (I'm an On-the-Job trainee sa business namin. I don't have my salary because dad sends us money monthly and I have my own savings.) 

My job ends at 3pm so masusundo ko talaga si M. 

I waited for her, same place. Nung marami na'ng students na lumalabas sa gate, tinalasan ko talaga ang mata ko para makita ko sya. 

Then my phone beeped. 

""Huy! Alam kong nandito ka. Pero saan ka?"", M texted. 

"" Same place, pero ibang car. Saan ka? Di pa kita nakikita."" 

""Char, ibang car? Yaman mo baby ah? Dito lang ako malapit sa gate pero di mo nakikita. Mamaya na kita pupuntahan, palalabasin ko muna mga classmates ko.""

A little later, she opened the passenger's seat door. 

""Ikaw ha, nag-eeffort,"" sabi nya.

""You like it?"" 

""Hindi."" 

(What the heck.) 

""Get off."" 

""Joke! Ang serious mo!"" 

""Where shall we go today?"" 

She took something from her bag....

You guessed it right. 

Mais. 

""Kain muna tayo, baby."" 

""Ang sweet ng baby ko"". I pretended I'm happy about it. No. I still don't like corn. 

"" Ito asin oh. Sabi mo kahapon matabang."" 

""What am I gonna do with that?"", I asked, puzzled. 

"" Di ka pa ba nakakakain ng mais, baby? Grabe naman ang pagka-RK mo baby. Ganito oh. Ipahid mo. (She demonstrated it to me)."" 

Parang nahalata na nya. Na di pa ako nakakakain ng mais until I met her yesterday. 

""Thanks baby"". 

We both ate. She bought 3 na lang. Um, masarap na ngayon ang mais. Nagkalasa na.

""Ano'ng favorite mong pagkain?"" 

Napaisip ako. ""Hmm, kahit ano, restaurant food."" 

""Ang mahal naman ng taste mo. Street foods?"" 

""Uh, wala."" 

She looked shocked. 

""Diba maraming street foods sa Manila? Di ka talaga bumibili?"" 

""No. It's dirty."" 

Nagbuntong-hininga sya. ""ARTE MO! Hatid mo ako sa Roxas, dali!"" I know Roxas Avenue has many street food stalls, mas marami kesa doon sa City High. When we reached Roxas, she looked for a place na maraming street food vendors. 

""Stop."" 

Then she asked me: ""May 100 ka ba?"" 

Wala pala syang pera. 

""I only have 1000 bills here."" 

""Akin na wallet mo. Holdap to. Kung di mo ibibigay, papatayin kita."" 

Nagpatawa pa sya. 

""Ok, ok."" I took out a 100 bill from my wallet. Then she went out without a word. Tsk. Tsk. Tsk. I think I'd have to prepare my stomach for this. Maarte na kung maarte. But I'm just being careful...

Ang dami nyang binili. Tokneneng (kwek-kwek dito sa Davao), Adidas. Fried isaw. Chicken skin. Fish balls. Kikiam. Buti walang Betamax (pork blood which hardened) dito. 

Pinagbuksan ko sya pagbalik nya. Yeah, I didn't help her in buying. Bahala sya sa buhay nya. Anyway, I'm UNWILLING TO EAT those things. 

""Unahin mo tong isaw, masarap to."" 

""Yuck. Ubusin mo yan"", I uttered in disgust. 

Tinusok nya yung stick sa arm ko. 

"" Ano ba, madudumihan ako."" 

""Edi kainin mo! Buti kung may bibig ang braso mo!"" 

So, I just... Faced my fear. Ang duwag ko. But I believe street foods have lots of germs kaya ayokong-ayoko talaga. However, before she cuts me to half with her dagger stares, I took that stick of isaw and bit it. 

Damn. 

Ang sarap!

""Akin na lahat 'to,"" I told her, grabbing the cellophane with isaw.

Natawa si M. ""Sabi ko sa'yo eh!"" 

""Oo sige na, you are always right!"" 

So we shared the rest of the foods she bought but akin lahat ng isaw.

By the way, ang dumi-dumi nyang kumain! Walang kapoise-poise. So unlike R. Ang daming nahulog sa palda nya. And may natapong a bit of vinegar for the kwek-kwek sa blouse nya. Nakakatawa talaga. Ang gaslaw-gaslaw nya for a girl. But I find it really charming. 

""Ang baho na ng car ko. Amoy suka na."" 

""Nag-iiba-iba ka talaga ng car araw-araw, baby?""

""Oo. But we only have 5 vehicles at home."" 

As usual, nanlaki na naman ang mga mata ni M. 

""Only? Only na yung 5?"" 

""Yes, why?"", again I was puzzled. 

"" Wag ganyan Babe. Mahirap magkaroon ng sariling sasakyan. Ang mamahal kaya nyan."" 

Ok. I think I said it heartlessly so I apologized to her. 

Pero ang sarap talaga ng isaw. After that, since malapit na kami medyo sa place nila, hinatid ko na sya. 

Bago sya bumaba, she spoke: ""Salamat pala kagabi sa pizza. First time naming makakain nun. Tinanong ni Papa sino ang nagbigay. Nagtaka sya kasi ang mahal-mahal nun."" 

""So, what did you say?"" 

""Napulot ko sa gilid ng kanto. Hehehe"". 

Baliw! 

Then went back to Roxas to buy more isaw. 

Hahaha. 

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

From this day I realized masarap pala ang isaw. 

Ah no, syempre. Masarap pala ang street foods. Napaka-judgmental ko lang talaga noon. Also, I never thought mabubusog ang dalawang tao sa 100 pesos. (Di ko alam magkano ang natira sa 100 na binigay ko sa kanya. I don't care). 

--------- 

I woke up in the early morning. I looked at my phone to view the time. May message. It's from M. 

It said: "" I love you, baby N! Kisses"". 

I replied: ""Hmm, gusto ko totoong kiss."" 

I didn't tell her ""I love you"". 

I still can't get myself together to say those words to her although we're ""magjowa"". I don't want to say those words half-heartedly. I don't want to lie to her. To lie to myself. 

I still love....R. 

Half-German/Half-Shepherd

CTTO: UCC

PART 2

Note: All convos non-verbatim. I apologize in advance pag mabo-bore kayo sa pagkwento ko. Anyway, it's your choice to read or not.

At sana walang magsasabing "" nosebleed, don't English me, etc."" kasi matatalino naman ang lahat ng nagbabasa dito, I believe so. 

Some of you might wonder why napakadetailed ng events. I remember those days so well. If I am to explain why in a few words, that's because those days belong to the ""best days of my life"". 

----------

3rd day. Friday.

I couldn't park my car inside their school so I just parked outside, right there near the eateries. 

I saw the mais vendor so I bought 2 for her. Then I waited 'til she comes out to buy mais first (for sure). 

She didn't fail me. As she was walking towards the mais vendor, I texted her: ""Same car last Wednesday. Dito malapit sa — eatery. 

""May bibilhin muna ako."" 

""I'll leave you when you won't go here immediately!"" 

She didn't mind my text. She focused on choosing her corn. 

Pucha, 4 ang binili! 

She was smiling as she was walking towards me. I don't know if I'd still surprise her with the corn I bought earlier. 

Binuksan nya ang passenger's seat. I just looked at her, pissed off. 

""Galit ka, baby?"" 

""You didn't read my text!"", I spoke in an irritated tone. 

Kinuha nya ang phone nya at binasa ang text ko. ""Sori. Namimili pa kasi ako ng mais."" 

I was just so annoyed, I showed her the corn I bought earlier, without looking at her.

""Kaya nga tinext kita kasi bumili na ako kanina!"", I said angrily with my eyebrows meeting together. 

""Ay nasuko ra diay kay isurprise unta ko? Hahaha! Wag ka nang magalit Baby. Iyo na 'yan, akin 'to.""

Upon hearing that most frightening ""iyo na 'yan"", I replied to her: "" No, kainin mo lahat. We ate cake kaninang lunch. I still feel full until now.""

""Ilan bang cake ang nakain mo, isang buong cake talaga?"" 

""No, 3 slices.""

""Sus, kaarte, murag bayot! Di ka naman mataba."" 

""What did you say?"" — I asked her though I understood what she said. Pretending I don't understand Bisaya is a part of my ""script"". 

""Sabi ko, ang arte mo, sobrang health-conscious. Opposites talaga tayo. Mag-aaway na lang ba tayo?"" 

She stepped inside the car (while we were arguing, she remained standing outside) and grabbed the 2 corn cobs I was holding. 

""Thanks baby ha. Sori di na mauulit. Oo, uubusin ko to lahat. Bati na tayo.""

 

Nagpacute sya. I don't know what happened but I suddenly calmed down inside. However, most guys are naturally full of pride, isa na ako doon. I just turned the starter on and didn't look at her. 

As we were about to turn to Quirino Highway, the red light flashed. We remained silent. It's my fault. I don't want her to notice that nadala ako sa pagpapacute nya. 

""Ihahatid mo na ako agad pauwi?"" , she said before pouting her lips. Pinaliit nya yung boses nya. Sh**. Ayokong matawa. 

""Yeah, you pissed me off."" 

""Sori na nga kanina eh. Palipas oras muna tayo sa The Peak"". 

"" Uwi ka na. Do your assignments. Help in the house chores.""

""Friday naman ngayon.""

""I'm tired.""

""Strikto! Malditong agta!"", she said irritatingly. 

I didn't ask her about what she meant anymore so that she'd be convinced that I'm really angry with her. 

I remained silent throughout our ride to her place. She murmured things occasionally, in Bisaya, thinking I wouldn't understand. 

M: "" Di mustorya eh! Samok, di na tika crush. Yabag kaayog ugali.""

""Hay masking ing-ani kagwapo, di jud ko magdugay ani.""

""Bwisitang trapik. Lamia ibaba. Murag di mani nako uyab ang naghatud nako."" 

""Gwapo lagi, dali man diay luuron, sus, mao diay gibiyaan ug uyab."" 

She actually murmured more things but I couldn't hear them well anymore. That's because — 

I was particularly hurt by that last murmur I typed. It kept replaying in my mind. She's got a point there. Maybe yes? Maybe no? But those words kept repeating in my head.

I started to get teary-eyed as I thought about my past relationship, but I tried my hardest to stop my tears from falling.

We finally reached her place. Without a word, she alighted from my car and didn't turn her head to me. I let her walk away. 

But I feel like I'm overcome by my memories with R which depress me. I need someone to make me happy. I can't tell mom. She might worry for me again. I don't have my friends here. And even if I call them, I'm afraid they'd laugh at me. They've never been into serious relationships yet (including M's cousin) so they don't yet know how it feels to have one's heart broken. 

I swallowed my pride. Just before M disappeared from my sight, I texted her: ""Come back. I'll apologize to you. Listen to me."" 

She stopped. And ran back to me. Ang slow-mo nang pagtakbo nya. 

She went straight to the passenger's seat. 

""Mag sorry ka na."" She looked into my eyes. 

""Uhmm, sorry, I didn't mean to be angry with you. I'm kinda short-tempered."" 

""Ok, ok. Ingat ka sa pag-uwi ha."" She smiled. ""Sige uwi na ako."" 

She was about to get out but I grabbed her left hand. 

""Please be with me muna. I feel sad."" 

""Ay, baby! Bakit sad ka? Kasi nag-away tayo? Sige na nga! The Peak tayo.""

""Pwede doon sa gazebo ng subdivision namin?"" 

She stared at me, speechless. 

""Maraming tao doon?"" 

""I don't know. Madalas pag ganitong oras, wala masyadong tao, or pwede tayong dalawa lang. If there'd be lot of people there, doon na lang tayo sa bahay namin. I'll introduce you to mom."" 

Napalunok ng laway si M. I don't know what she's thinking about. Maybe she thinks I have a hidden agenda with her, so I explained:

""Let me make myself clear. I'm kinda introverted. I feel uncomfortable in crowded places. All my friends are loud people, even my ex."" 

""Talaga baby? Sabi ni kuya MC ang ingay-ingay mo raw at mahilig magmura."" 

(F***, napakachismoso talaga ni MC.) 

""That's not true. Alam mo naman yang pinsan mo, sinungaling."" 

She just laughed. 

While traveling, M revealed to me that she's also introverted. Maingay lang raw sya if she's with people she's close to. And if silang dalawa lang raw ng ""crush"" nya. With ""crush"", she meant none other than me. Hahaha. Kaya pala ang kapal ng mukha nya since the first day we met. 

We reached our subdivision. She couldn't stop admiring the houses there. There's one she saw which made her mumble to herself, ""Unta ana among balay sunod ni N."" 

She thought I didn't understand. ""Ba't mo nabanggit ang name ko?""

""Wala. Chismoso."" 

In my mind, I said our house is as beautiful as that. But I won't take her there today. I drove straight to the gazebo, and fortunately, we'd be alone, except for the security personnels. 

She was amazed by the gazebo. But I can read in her eyes that she's not trusting me a little. 

""Let's eat the corn,"" I told her. 

""Ay o! Hapita ba nako makalimtan. Ay! Nagbisaya ko. Uhh, sabi ko muntik ko nang malimutan may mais pala."" 

So that was our merienda there. It was almost 6pm.

We just sat there and talked about anything. Her studies, my job. Her life, my life. I noticed she was careful of not opening up about R or relationships. Until I asked her. 

""Nagkaboyfriend ka na?"" 

""Oo.""

""How many?"" 

""Isa pa lang."" 

""How did you break up?""

She slapped my back. ""Ulol! Di pa kami nagbebreak!""

I was puzzled. So, she's two-timing me?

""Where is he? Classmate mo ngayon?"" 

""Kabugo ba nimo! Gago! Kasama ko ngayon ang bf ko!"" 

I laughed. So that was me.

""Ikaw, kuya, nakailan ka na?""

""3 serious girlfriends. 3rd si R."" 

""So may not-serious girlfriends ka? Kasama na ako doon?"" 

""Oo."" 

Kinurot nya ako sa arm. ""Animal ka!"". She got pissed by my answer. She didn't stop it. I tried moving her hand away but she'd stop me. 

""O, IKAW NA ANG 4TH SERIOUS GIRLFRIEND KO. OK KA NA? TAMA NAAA—"" 

As soon I was done saying that, she stopped and smiled at me. Then she instantly turned her head to her right so I couldn't see her face. 

""Mao na ba, klaruha, kay makasakit kag feelings. Manhid kaayo ka. Salig ra kay mag 1 week ra ta ug gwapo ka. Paghuman ana mamuring na sad ka. Makambyuan ra ko nimo dayun, tapos ako nasay maghilak tungod sa imo."" 

I just listened to her saying those words. Now I know what she feels. But of course, I still have to pretend I didn't understand. 

""What are you talking about? Please stop speaking in Bisaya. You already know the next thing I'd ask you is to translate it for me."" 

""Wala. Kung curious ka talaga, may wifi naman dito, diba? Itanong mo kay Google Translator."" 

Ang lakas talaga ng tama ng babaeng 'to. I couldn't help laughing. 

""All right, I only understood that I hurt your feelings, that manhid ako. Sorry na, baby."" 

Before I could realize, I hugged her. I don't know what happened but my arms suddenly enclosed her. 

A few seconds later, it looked as if she wiped a tear. 

""Umiiyak ka?""

""Hindi! Gago."" 

Kumalas sya sa hug ko. 

""Baby eh, ang chansing mo."" She faced me. Her eyes looked a bit red. 

""Umiyak ka, sinungaling ka rin, tulad ni MC."" 

Kinurot na naman ako. ""Ikaw kasi eh! Pinagti-tripan mo lang ako. Sineseryoso pa naman kita."" 

""No, I'm also serious with you."" 

I suddenly remembered her message, when she mentioned she'd help my heart heal. 

""Diba sabi mo tutulungan mo akong makarecover. Sige, paano ba?"" 

She looked at me eye to eye. ""Ngayon pareho na tayong heartbroken. Paano yan?""

Again, an unknown force pushed me to do something...

I kissed her lips. Di na sya nakailag. Just a smack, that's it. 

She looked traumatized after that. And...sinuntok ako sa mukha. Pucha, sa ilong ako tinamaan! 

""ARAY!"" 

Nagulat sya. ""Sori, sori, di ko sinasadya! Ikaw kasi, ang ninja-ninja mo!"" 

A security guard walked towards us. 

SG: ""Sir, Miss, naay problema?"" 

M answered him, ""Wala lang kuya. Nasumbagan ra nako sya."" 

SG: ""Ah, LQ."" 

Ngumiti lang si M. Ako naman, hiyang-hiya kasi ako pa ang nasuntok. Nagmukha tuloy na napakalaki ng kasalanan ko. 

""Sir, tarung-tarong lagi kay para dili masuko imong uyab."" 

""Kuya, di na sya kasabot ug Bisaya. Tagaloga to imong giingon para makatuon sya."" 

The security guard laughed. ""Sir, ang babae ho hindi niloloko. Dapat minamahal yan. Wag mong sasaktan ang girlfriend mo para di magalit sa iyo."" 

Tuwang-tuwa ang mukha ni M. 

""Ako na nga tong sinuntok nya, Kuya."" 

Good that the guard sensed he should not interfere with our ""personal business"", he excused himself, sabay tanong kay M. "" Gwapuha sa imong uyab day, giunsa na nimog kuha? Tingala di ka ganahan maadto sa uban."" 

""Gilumay ra nako gamit ang mais, kuya."" Nagtawanan lang sila nina M at ng guard. 

They don't know I understood every word they were saying. 

-----------

FF, before 8pm, we reached her place. 

""Di ba nagagalit ang parents mo na late ka nang umuuwi?"" 

""Hindi. Tinetext ko kasi sila bago mag-uwian na may ginagawa kaming project atsaka pupunta ako sa bahay ng classmate ko."" 

Such a big liar. But it's ok. Di naman masamang tao ang kasama niya. 

""Ingat ka sa paglalakad. Baka matisod ka."" 

Then she gave me the paper she was writing on our way here. 

""Ito pala yung reseta mo para makarecover ang puso mo. Mamaya mo na basahin pag-uwi mo ng bahay niyo. Baka madisgrasya ka sa daan. Goodnight baby! Sori talaga nasuntok kita kanina."" 

I half-smiled, and answered her, ""Nakakiss na ako kanina, I won't ask you for another."" 

Nagsungit na naman sya. ""Hayop!"", she turned and ran away.

I made sure she's already out of sight before I opened the folded piece of intermediate paper she gave me. In it was: 

1 bottle of Betadine - 4 tablespoons, 3x a day

1 hug (where to buy? ....she wrote her address here....) 

I still have that paper to this day. 

To those intelligent enough, there's a hidden message sa reseta ng Heart Doctor ko. Nung una, di ko na gets, until I kept looking at it before sleeping. Natawa lang ako. At kinilig. 

I'm sorry. It's too long. 

Half-German/Half-Shepherd 

Visitor / Not from USEP

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

4th day. Saturday. 

I texted M: ""Baby, kita tayo. Pwede ka mamayang 6pm? See you at The Peak."" 

She replied almost three hours later: ""SLR, kakaload ko lang. The Peak? Sabi mo ayaw mo sa public places. Syempre, oo, pupunta ako!"" 

When I read her reply, medyo kinilig ako. 

I wonder why kinikilig ako sa kanya. Kahit medyo lang. I've not yet recovered from my and R's breakup. For me, I'm not supposed to feel like this. I'm confused, but, never mind. 1 week lang naman 'to. 

----------

I reached G-Mall a little before 5pm. I intentionally went earlier to buy something for her. Just a little gift. But I'm not sure what to buy her because I don't know much about her, aside from corn and Kpop. 

Looked through stores and the department stores. But failed to see something which might please her.

I could say simpleng babae lang sya. But simple girls, in my opinion, are more complicated. It's hard to tell what things they like. 

I took my phone and searched for MC's number. Maybe he knows something. No. Erase. He might wonder why I'm asking about what she likes.

So I wandered around clueslessly, 'til I saw a stuffed toy cat couple. 

I bought it and a gift bag right away . Then headed to The Peak. It was about 5:30pm. 

I looked for a spot where I can be alone and found one. Marami-raming tao on the other sides, especially in the food court. Usually lovers. 

""Baby, saan ka na?"" 

Di sya nagreply. 

I just watched the setting sun as I waited for her. 

""May I join you?"", a lady's voice asked behind me. She sounded sexy so I turned my head. 

Yeah, she is. Not only that, she's tall, pretty, mestisa. Ideal girlfriend. 

""You may,"" I replied. She moved beside me.

""Why are you alone here?"", she stared at me straight to my eyes.

""I'm waiting for my girlfriend."" 

Upon hearing that, she looked disappointed. 

""Uh, sorry for disturbing you."" 

""It's okay.""

We exchanged smiles then she excused herself. 

Oddly, I didn't feel attracted to that girl. Maybe she wasn't charming enough. Or maybe I didn't want to cheat like R did. 

FF, about 6: 30pm, M texted me: ""Where na you? Sori late ako. May ginawa ako sa bahay."" 

""I'm here facing Davao Central Chinese HS."" 

A little later, I could see her already. She was wearing a black t-shirt and jeans, and a sling bag. High school look. Then she saw me, and hurriedly walked to me. 

(Hinihingal) ""Mabuti matangkad ka. Para kang tower. Akala ko lalayasan mo ako.""

I handed her the gift bag.

""Ano 'to?"", smiling like a puppy. 

""May kamay ka. Open it."" 

She carefully opened the bag and seeing my gift, she giggled. 

""Bend mo nga ang tuhod mo, para mahug kita."" 

I lowered myself. She hugged me. Tightly. Very tightly. 

""I can't breathe."" 

""I love you na talaga!"", she patted my back.

From hearing her voice, you can sense she was so happy. 

Then she took out the pink one and gave it to me. 

""I'm supposed to have the blue one, right?""

""Kasi ako yan. Tapos itong blue, lalake to."" 

""So this will be baby M.""

""Ikaw, bahala ka. Basta ito sa akin si GD."" 

I raised an eyebrow. GD? God? 

""Why not my name?"" 

""Dyan ka na kasi. Dapat dito rin si GD."" 

""You can pray to Him anytime naman. Besides, won't He be offended that you're using His name for a stuffed toy?"" 

Tinitigan nya ako... at biglang humalakhak. Why? Is that funny?

""Tangaa jud. Hindi si God. Si GD yung Korean bf ko! G-Dragon. Yung nasa profile pic ko!"" 

Sh**, that's embarrassing. Tawa lang sya nang tawa. 

I just sent her a dagger stare. 

-----------

FF, we didn't eat anything. We just looked at the night sky. It was October, so the breeze was a bit cooler, and the skies were clear. I remember that the moon was shaped crescent. She told me, ""Kaya kita pinilit kahapon na pumunta tayo dito kasi ang romantic."" 

""Did you use to dream you're gonna stargaze with your first boyfriend?"" 

""Oo"", natawa sya. Parang nahiya sa sagot nya. 

""Boring no?"" 

""Not really. Why don't we take couple pics? One with my cellphone, one with yours."" 

Her face lit up. ""Ay oo nga no! Hahaha! Para madelete ko na yung couple pics nyo ni R sa cp ko."" 

Pati ganun sini-save nya? 

""You don't feel jealous looking at those?"" 

Umiling sya. ""Sa iyo lang ako tumitingin, di sa kanya. Ini-edit ko ang pics nyo. Tinatabunan ko ang mukha ni R."" 

As I was curious how she edited my and R's couple pics, hiningi ko ang cp nya.

To my shock, kahit sa cp nya, lampas 10 ang albums nya ng pics ni GD that time! 

""I'll delete these GD pics here. Nagseselos ako. Ako yung bf mo, dapat mas marami akong pics dito.""

Upon hearing that, she instantly tried to snatch her phone from me. I raised my hand para di nya maabot. 

""Baby ba!!"" Kinurot nya ang tagiliran ko. 

""I was just joking!"" 

Then she stopped pinching me. ""Huwag na huwag mong madi-delete yan, kundi itutulak kita dito. See you sa TV bukas."" She paused for a while, and continued, ""Pero totoo ba na...nagseselos ka?"" 

I was browsing through an album with random pics in her phone then and I answered expressionlessly: ""That's a joke, too."" 

Pucha! Kinurot na naman ako! This time, mas masakit na. 

""ARAY, MAGKIKITA TAYO SA KORTE, KAKASUHAN KITA NG PHYSICAL ABUSE. NAKAKAILANG KUROT KA NA!"" 

Some people looked at me when I screamed those words. 

Natawa si M. Tinigil na nya ang pagkurot nya. 

""Kalalake mong tao, nasasaktan ka lang ng kurot? Bayot man siguro ka?"" 

""Di ako manhid"".

""Kung di ka manhid, ibig sabihin, nagseselos ka kay GD?""

""That's another story."" 

Kukurutin na naman sana nya ako. 

""Op, op, op. Hawak ko cp mo."" 

So she didn't go on. A little later, I found my and R's couple pics. Halatang galit na galit ang pagkakabura nya sa mukha ni R. 

(Hahahaha)

""Ano'ng tinatawanan mo?"" 

""Ikaw talaga yung nagseselos. Ang pangit ng pagkakaedit-out mo kay R eh. Nilagyan mo na lang sana ng smiley or whatever."" 

""Bagay lang yan sa kanya."" 

Strangely enough, as I was going through my & R's couple pics, parang wala lang akong nararamdaman. Then I saw a photo of me alone. I haven't seen that before. Stolen shot. Natutulog. 

""Where did you get this?"", showing her that photo.

""Inutusan ko si Kuya MC na picturan ka habang natutulog. Timing nag-inuman kayo ilang araw after ko syang inutusan. Nalasing ka. Mabuti di mo napansin. Pasalamat ka rin gwapo ka dyan. 

Noon, ginawa ko yang wallpaper. Hehehe. Hinahalikan ko bago matulog.""

""So I was your first kiss?"" 

Nagdilim ang mukha nya. ""Hindi! Si GD ang first kiss ko!"" 

Ang labo minsan nitong mga babae. Lalung-lalo na pagdating sa crushes.

""Mabuti pa picture ko, kinikiss mo every night before. Ngayong dito na ako, di mo ako binibigyan. Kailangan ko pang nakawin."" 

""Dalagang Pilipina po ako, baby. Porket crush kita..."" 

Nanggigil sya at biglang pinagsusuntok ang likod ko. Was she that traumatized by my stolen kiss yesterday? 

FF, we took couple pics together. Yung sa cp nya wacky pose kami. Sa cp ko cheek-to-cheek kami at ako lang ang nakasmile. Sya nakasimangot. Feeling maganda, hahaha. But she's cute. 

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

I drove her to their place before 8pm. 

""Ngayon may latest pic ka na sa cp ko, dito na lang ako hahalik sa'yo, ok?"" 

I pouted my lips. 

""Aba, nagpapacute ka ba?"" 

""Natutunan ko 'to sa'yo.""

Unexpectedly, she kissed me sa cheek. 

""Pwede na yan. Goodnight."" 

And she boarded off the car. 

Natawa lang ako. I didn't expect she'd do it. Umepekto yung pagpapacute ko? 

-----------

That night, I kissed her sa couple pic namin, and baby M, too, who's gonna sleep beside me. I made that pic my wallpaper. 

#WalarawngForever 

Half-German/Half-Shepherd

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

5th Day. Sunday.

""Mom, I'll go with you."" 

Mom stopped. She was about to get inside her car.

""Asa?""

I turned to Manong EJ. ""Manong, I'll drive mom."" 

Manong EJ and mom looked at each other. 

""Ubanan ko nimo sa simbahan?"" 

""Yeah."" 

You might wonder why my mom reacted that way. That's because I go to church rarely in a year. In college, we were always required to attend mass on every significant celebration or event. Those were the only times na nakakapag-attend ako ng mass. 

---------

On our way, mom asked me, ""Ano'ng nangyari? Naninibago ako sa'yo, baby, nung mga nakaraang araw.""

(Mom calls me Baby, 'cause I'm her youngest son. But she refers to me by that endearment whenever we're alone. I used to hate mom for that since I reached high school because she kept calling me baby though I'm already taller than she was. Pero nasanay na rin ako. It's my mom.)  

""You'll know later."" I just glanced at her. 

FF, when we reached Redemptorist Church, I accompanied her to find a seat. Siksikan na so I chose not to sit with her. Anyway, I'm waiting for someone. 

""Upo ka na."" 

""It's ok. I'll just stand over there. After the service, just wait here.""

As the mass was about to start, mom had no choice but to nod. 

So I quickly went outside. I texted M: ""Nakara..."" 

...nang biglang may kumurot sa likod ko. 

I turned around. It's the girl I've been waiting for.

""Yun pala ang mama mo. Hehehe. Maganda. Kaya pala gwapo ka."" 

""Of course, that's my mom."" 

Actually, Mom is not that pretty. Nor ugly. She looks very Bisaya. But she looks beautiful to me. The most beautiful. (Mama's boy here).

You might also wonder why M agreed to attend mass here with me kahit mas malapit ang San Pedro Cathedral sa kanila. That's because she and her younger sisters are the only ones who go to church every Sunday. Her parents, dalawa nyang kuya, at ang baby sis nya don't go to church. 

Her parents are vendors, sinasama nila yung bunso nila. Mga kuya nya kargador. 

FF, mag-oostiya na. Before she'd fall in line, I pleaded her: ""Mamaya when you come back, say your prayer out loud. I won't understand you naman."" 

""May mga tao, ayoko."" 

""Bakit ano ba ang prayers mo? May bad words ka bang sasabihin?"" 

""Wala."" 

""If you won't say your prayers out loud mamaya, break na tayo."" 

""Sus, manghadlok jud ba. Sige na nga."" Then she left me. 

I didn't fall in line for the ostiya. Wala lang. 

When she came back, she looked solemn. She didn't look at me, then she stood beside me. 

""Your promise,"" I reminded her.

She closed her eyes and folded her hands. 

Firstly, she prayed for her family. She thanked God that they're happy although they barely eat. (Unbelievable for me, ang taba kaya nya.) Then other loving words. She asked forgiveness for their sins. She prayed for her dreams to come true. She then thanked God that she's having good grades, and she hopes to pass their third grading exams soon. She went on and on. Until she prayed: 

""Unta kaning katapad nako na lake, God, kay di na nako mabuhian. Unta kami najud ang magkadayunan. Unta ako na iyang dal-on sa altar pag naa nakoy stable na trabaho, puhon, kung kaluy-an Nimo human nakog graduate sa college. Unta dili na sya mutan-aw sa laing magbiga niya. Unta makamove-on na sya sa baeng nagbuak sa iyang kasing-kasing. Tabanga sya God na makalimtan to sya kay luoy pud ni akong langga, murag bug-at gihapon ang iyang dughan kay gipasakitan. Unta mapalipay nako sya. Ug unta God mahigugma ni sya nako. Sakit bya mag-gukod ug lake nga dili diay maako. Ug unta madawat ko sa iyang mga ginikanan bisag pobre ra mi. Dili bya mi hakog ug kwarta maski nagkalisod mi. Salamat kaayo God, amen."" 

I remained poker-faced throughout. While she was praying, I also pretended I was. 

Then the mass continued. By the way, maganda pala ang boses nya, pero hinihinaan nya. Nahihiya sa akin. Shame on me, I don't know any song there. 

However, as they were singing, I thought about her prayer that she hopes I'd fall in love with her. I think that... For now, it's too early to assume I might fall for her. I see her as a close friend. Only as that, despite the kilig factor (which at that time I was trying to suppress). 

FF, the mass ended.

""Salamat baby sa pagsama sa akin,"" she sweetly smiled at me. 

""Teka, sa prayer mo kanina you mentioned 'altar' and 'move on'. What do you mean by those?"" 

Napabuntong-hininga sya. ""Chismosoha ba... Di ka ba nagdadasal nun? Parang pinapakinggan mo lang mabuti ang prayers ko ah."" 

""I'm God.""

Sinapak nya ako. 

""Joke."" 

""Sige ha, uwi na ako."" 

I grabbed her wrist. 

""Sandali lang, pakilala muna kita sa Mom ko.""

Pinilit nyang kumalas sa pagkakahawak ko. But I'm stronger. 

""Buanga ba nimo! Ayoko, nahihiya ako,"" pabulong nyang sinasabi, naiirita, and her eyes were looking around for my mom. 

""There's no escaping."" 

I dragged her to where my mom was sitting. Pinapalo nya ang kamay ko with her free hand.

Then we reached my mom. We faced Mom. M had no choice but to stand still beside me.

""Mom, meet MC's cousin, M. Ampunin nyo, Mom. I feel so lonely, para may baby sis ako. Magkasing-size naman kayo."" (My mom's also chubby.) 

Mom smiled at her.

""He..hello po Ma'am. Oopo, pinsan po ako ni MC."" (ang hina ng boses, nabubulol, kinakabahan) 

""Hello gang. Asa imong pamilya? Kauban nimo diri?"" 

M was shocked that my Mom spoke Bisaya. 

""Nagatrabaho man gud sila, Ma'am, sa palengke karon. Tapos akong mga igsuon naa sa San Pedro nagsimba.... Ma'am, Bisaya ka?"" 

""O uy, halata man! Ayaw na tagaluga si N. Kasabot kaayo nag Bisaya, di ra kabalo mustorya.""

I was... taken aback by my Mom. Mom! How could you betray me? 

I didn't look at M. I could feel that she's throwing dagger stares at me again. I could feel that... I'm being cut into several pieces. 

""Shocks... manosebleed gud ko nya anig stinorya niya, Ma'am. Mag-inEnglish pa gyud!""

Mom laughed, turned to me and said: ""Hay N, liwat jud ka sa imong amahan, mangtas!"" 

M couldn't take it any longer: ""Ma'am, ayaw kasuko kay naa ta sa sulod sa simbahan pero... Pwede kusion imong anak?"" 

Mom laughed again: ""O sige, kasabot ko nimo gang."" 

Kinurot ako ni M sa kamay. Very painfully. I pretended I didn't feel anything. Pero ang sarap nang sumigaw sa sakit that time. 

Mom just looked at us. I was forcing a smile. I can't believe she just let M pinch me that hard! 

Namumula na si M sa galit noon. I think she thought about her prayers earlier. Parang... Nawewerla sya now that she knew I understood every single word of it. Especially her prayers for me, for us. 

Mom stood up and turned to M: ""Gang, sugot ka mag-lunch ta sa balay? Peace offering ni N. Kadali lang bitaw, tapos ihatod ra ka ni N sa inyoha."" 

Finally, M stopped hurting me. 

""Chika pud ta,"" Mom added. 

""Ok lang, Ma'am?"" 

""Ay, ayaw ko i-Ma'am Ma'am ja, Mommy na lang o Mama. Dali na uban na sa amo."" 

M smiled. ""Sige Mama."" Close na agad sila ni Mom. 

Mom and M walked together in front of me, and I followed them. 

I can feel nanlulumo sa akin si M. Di nya ako pinansin. 

Even on our way to our house, kwentuhan ng kwentuhan lang sila ni Mom.

By the way, mom asked me in the middle of their convo, ""Baby, giunsa ninyog ila-ila ni M? Karon ra mo nag-ila ila?"" 

""She always messages me sa FB, mom. Crush na crush nya ako, mag tu-2 years na ata."" 

That's revenge, baby. 

M blushed. Mom laughed again. 

""Siya ang clown ko since Wednesday, kaya ngayon, huwag ka nang magtaka why good mood ako lately."" 

""Ah, ikaw diay. Hahaha. Mura na man gud na syag mabuang sukad tong nagbulag sila sa iyang ex. Kaila man siguro ka ato?"" 

""Opo.""

""Sa tinuod lang, di jud ko ganahan niya ato. Sobra ka arte tapos sigeg demand sa akong anak. Dato man unta pero ambot. Di man gud ni mutuo akong anak sa ako. Kay in love lagi. Giingnan nako ni sya sauna dili panguyaban si R. Tan-awa karon, grabeg hinilak ug kulung-kulong sa kwarto human sa iyang trabaho. Pero nihunong ra syag pinakalit sukad tung Wednesday"" 

(Mom, nilalaglag mo na ako. But I can't stop you.)

Kalmado lang si M. Pero grabe pa rin ang hirit nya kay Mom. Napag-usapan din nila how my Mom met Dad. Sabi pa nya, ""So dapat mu-abroad diay jud ko. Lisod man mag in-English, Ma, uy!"" 

FF, Mom also remarked: ""Maayo pud no taga-Davao ka. Naa juy pamaagi ang Ginoo. Swerte si N."" 

M blushed again. (M, please don't take that seriously). 

""Hahaha, dili mana sya ganahan nako, Ma. Clown lang jud ko niya. Natingala gani ko Ma pag-ingon nya naa diay sya diri sa Davao.""

FF, at home, she and Mom joined Ate Ising cook lunch. Kahit malapit nang maluto ang lunch, they still helped. And kept talking. Even 'til we're eating. Di nila ako pinansin. I finished my lunch, but the two of them kept talking non-stop. Lumamig na lang ang pagkain nila, di pa rin sila natapos. Girl talk nga naman.

I didn't attempt to listen to their entire convo. They talked as if they're friends who haven't seen each other for ages. Kahit saan napunta ang topics nila. And take note, high school pa si M. Ang layo ng age gap nila ni Mom. Parang kapatid ko lang si M. Yeah, baby sis. 

FF, natapos na rin sila. 

""Balik diri M ha, ayaw kaulaw."" 

""Opo, opo, salamat kaayo sa Lunch ug chika-chika Ma!"" , ang lapad ng ngisi ni M. 

Mom accompanied M and I papunta ng garage 'til nakasakay na kami. 

""Ayo-ayo, "" Mom told M, smiling. Then she turned to me, ""Baby, drive safely ha."" 

I nodded.

""Salamat kaayo Ma."" 

Then we headed off. 

FF, nung malayo-layo na kami sa bahay, M told me: ""Tingala diay Baby ang tawag nimo sa ako kay mao na ang tawag sa imong mama sa imo.""

""Yeah, you got it right.""

""Ganahan pud kaayo ko sa imong Mama. Musultig tinuod. Di parya nimo, DAKONG BAKAKON!"" 

""Lamia jud nimo sumbagon uy. Kung kabalo lang jud ka ganina sa simbahan. Nakabuhat tawn kog sala sa balay sa Ginoo."" 

""Sorry. I thought di mo ako mabubuking."" 

She looked nawewerla again. ""Nakadungog jud kag maayo sa akong mga gipang-ampo ganina?"" 

""No, I didn't,"" I answered, focusing my sight on the road.

""BAKAKON! NAAA, LAMI NA IHILAK!"" 

I broke into laughter. ""God, I hope he will fall in love with me. I hope I'll be the one he will walk in the aisle... How ambitious."" 

Pinagpapalo na naman nya ang arm ko. 

""O, di pa nga tayo kinakasal, papatayin mo na tayo agad!"", I screamed at her, in jest. 

She stopped hitting me, and asked ""Ako jud imong pakaslan, baby?"" 

""Asa ka pa."" 

She covered her face. ""Ulawa jud uy. Nganong nagpauto man gud ko nimo ba. Grabe man gud ka manghadlok."" 

""Bawal nang i-extend ang one week, keep that in mind."" 

""Mao gani, mao nang buhaton nako tanan para di ta magbulag."" 

She sounded so serious. 

""Do you love me that much?"" 

(Still she was covering her face) ""Ambot, basta crush kaayo tika. Di na ko mangatik kay kabalo na ka sa tanan. Kung di tika crush, wala na unta ko nagpadayon ug sigeg send ug message sa imo bisag kabawo ko naa kay uyab no?"" 

I honestly was touched by her answer. But I didn't show it in my face. 

""Hahaha, sige, sulitin natin ang remaining two days. After that, friends pa rin tayo ah. Huwag mo nang takpan ang mukha mo. Ngayon ka pa nahiya. Alam na alam ko naman kung ga'no ka ka-in-love sa akin."" 

""Di ko, maulaw ko nimo."" 

""Sige na, titigan mo ako. Sulitin mo na. Noon hanggang picture ka lang. Ngayon personal na. Di mo ba alam ang swerte mo? Swerteng-swerte pa nga eh kasi ang pogi ko. Di mo ba alam ilang girls ang nagpapapansin sa akin sa workplace ko?"" 

""Hanginon!"" 

But she uncovered her face, and just looked at me. I just looked straight ahead. Baka mabangga pa kami. 

FF, we reached her place. Before she got out, I stopped her. Pinakita ko ang wallpaper ng phone ko. 

""Happy?"" 

She smiled. 

""Patingin ng sa'yo,"" I demanded. She took her phone, and gave it to me. 

When I opened the lock screen... Nagdilim ang paningin ko. 

""Palitan mo 'to, kung hindi..."" 

""Oo kabalo ko, break na tayo."" 

""Change it right now!"" 

""Mas gwapo si GD kaysa imuha oi, ambisyoso. Ambi na bi, kambyuan na nako."" 

I gave her her phone... 

But she instantly opened her door and ran away, leaving the door open. 

""BABY! BREAK NA TAYO!"", I screamed in jest again. 

--------

When I reached home, sinalubong ako ni Mom sa pinto. ""Baby, ganahan lagi ko niya ato ay. Lingaw kaayo. Ampunon nato sya,baby, sugot ka?"" 

""No. I hate her."" 

""Atik atik pa ka, lahi ra biya kaayo imong smile tung mga niaging adlaw. Para sige kog katawa, ug ikaw pud.""

""No, Mom, she has her own family."" 

""Basta ha dal-a sya diri ugma. Mag Koreanovela marathon mi."" 

I stared at Mom after hearing that. 

""No, I won't. I'd tell her later you'll be busy tomorrow.""

""May number na nya ako. Di mo sya maloloko."" 

Mom smiled at me, and left me standing there. 

I took out my phone and texted M: ""Ano'ng ginawa mo sa Mom ko?"" 

She just replied: ""Hahahaha!"" 

""Nga pala, thank you for your prayers kanina na sana makamove-on na ako kay R. Thank you."" 

She replied: ""Welcome. Pag move-on na ha. Naa lang ko diri."" 

""Huh? Wake up. I'm gonna move on by myself."" 

""Che! Ayaw nag text! Wa kay lami kaistorya!"" 

Hahahaha! Pikon! 

Half-German/Half-Shepherd

Visitor / Not from USEP \

PART 3

#UCClovelife 

6th Day. Monday. And a bit of 7th Day (Last Day). Tuesday. 

3:55pm, I texted her: ""Labas ka na, I already bought your favorite."" 

She obeyed me, dinaanan nya lang ang mais vendor. 

As soon as she closed the door, umalis na kami. 

Malapit na kami sa Davao Convention Hall when she asked me. Kanina pa sya lingon ng lingon sa likod. 

""Baby, asa ang mais?"" 

""Ginood-time lang kita. Naniwala ka agad. (evil smile) Don't hit me! I'm driving!"" 

""Balik, dali!"", she commanded. 

""Baba ka, lakarin mo."" 

""Hunong sa."" 

""Bumaba ka habang tumatakbo ang car."" 

Sinabunutan niya ako. Bagong torture method na naman! 

""Bwisit ka, bwisit ka."" 

""Tama na, mababangga tayo eh. Pinaorder ko si mama ng snacks, doon ka na rin magdidinner. Nagpaalam ka naman nang maayos sa parents mo diba?"" 

She pouted her lips at niyakap ang bag nya nang mahigpit. 

""BULAG NA TA!"" 

""Mais lang ang dahilan, makikipaghiwalay ka na agad sa'kin?"" 

Di na sya umimik. 

""May period ka ba?""

""WALA!!"" , ang lakas ng sigaw nya. 

FF, pagpasok nya sa bahay namin, Mom greeted her right away. 

I whispered to myself ""Feel na feel at home sya ah."" 

M took a DVD from her bag. 

""Unsa na sya M? Drama na?"", Mom asked her. 

""Kataw-anan ni sya Ma. My Girlfriend is a Gumiho. Malingaw lage ka ani unya Ma"", ang lapad na naman ng ngisi nya. 

Nag-iba ang hangin. Kanina pikon na pikon, ngayon parang wala lang. Daig pa ng di nakakain ng mais ang babaeng may period. 

""N, tan-aw pud,"" Mom invited me. ""Sige na N, di man ka mabayot ani."" 

""No, I'd take a nap. Na bad trip ako (I turned my eyes to M) kanina eh."" 

Tinarayan lang ako ni M. Pikon talaga. 

I then went to my room. They began watching. 

I really took a nap. Mag aalas-sais noon. 

I woke up quarter to 9pm. I went downstairs to eat dinner. 

To my shock, sa stairs pa lang, dinig na dinig na ang lakas ng halakhak nina Mom at M. Akala ko rin na umuwi na si M. 

I passed by them sa living room. Ubos na ang isang dozen ng donuts na inorder ni Mom. Tawa sila ng tawa. When I passed by them, parang di nila ako nakita. 

""M, uwi ka na. Gabi na."" 

""Unya na, gatan-aw pa ming Mama."" 

Mom paused the video. 

""Diri na lang matulog si M tapos ihatod ugma sayo sa buntag. Sa guest room lang ka tulog unya, M ha"", Mom interjected. ""Samok kaayo ka Nak, kaon na didto. Ganina pa ka ginamata, di jud ka mugawas."" 

""Mom, pauwiin nyo na yan. M, are you sure wala kang homework? Are you sure di ka pagagalitan?"" 

""Human na ganina pang lunch! Itext lang nako unya si Mama (her mom) na mag-overnight ko sa balay sa akong classmate kung unya pa mi mahuman ni Mama (my mom) diri."" 

""Hawa na lagi Nak. Samok kaayo ka!"", Mom spoke to me angrily. 

So I just left them. 

After a few minutes, I was done with my meal and sat beside Mom. 

""Sus, ganina pa unta ka nitan-aw para kasabot ka! Mawala unta to imong kakapoy ganina."" 

I didn't respond. 

I watched with them... And oo, nakakatawa, tapos may suspense. I laughed with them na. Ang ingay namin sa living room, mabuti, malayo kami sa mga kwarto ng mga maid namin. 

Several minutes later, Mom paused the video. ""Mag-CR sa ko. Ayaw na taruga ha!"" 

""Oo, Ma, dalii!"", M told Mom as if magkaedad lang sila. The f***.

So, there's only the two of us there. Di sya nagsalita. She stayed in her place. I moved. Close. Closer to her. And put an arm around her. Nagulat sya. 

""Chansing!"" She tried to remove my hand. Kinurot nya ako. 

Hinigpitan ko ang pag-akbay ko sa kanya. 

""Kuya ba!"" 

""Akala ko unan, ang lambot kasi."" Kinurot ko ang braso nya. Nanggigil ako, hahaha. 

""Aray ba!!"" 

""Hmm, palusot ka pa. Gustung-gusto mo naman."" 

Then I moved my hand away. Baka maabutan kami ni Mom. I returned to my place kanina. ""Ok na tayo ha."" 

Tinarayan lang ako ni taba. Feeling maganda. 

But while I was doing that, parang kinuryente ako sa loob? 

Or baka nadala lang ako sa pinanood namin? 

A little while later, Mom was back. We continued watching 'til Episode 6. 

It's got 14 episodes! Paano nila yan mauubos? 

""Tulog na tayo"", I complained. 

""Pagsolo"", M replied. 

""Isa pa, bitin kaayo,"" feeling teenager din si Mom. ""Basta pagpaalarm ugma ug 4:30am kay ihatod pa nimo si M."" 

""What? Dapat kasi kanina pa yan umuwi. Ang tigas kasi ng ulo.""

""Ayaw nag reklamo. Tulog na didto, naka-nap na gani ka ganina,"" Mom talked back.

""Fine. Goodnight."" 

I came back to my room and slept. 

I set my alarm 4:30am. When it rang, I woke up and felt like I'm floating. I regret that I accompanied them in watching that sh**. 

Pinuntahan ko yung guest rooms namin sa 3rd floor. We have 4 guest rooms. Binuksan ko yung nearest door to the stairs. Doon si M. Himbing na himbing. I slowly walked to her bed, thinking about how I'd wake her up. Sisipain. Sasabunutan. Ipapaalarm ang phone ko.

But I sat down sa bedside nya. Tinitigan ko sya while asleep. Ah, my phone. Kinunan ko sya ng pic like that sleeping pic of mine in her phone. 

I looked at my phone's time. Magka-quarter to 5am. I still felt so sleepy so I set another alarm. 5:15am. Kasi malaki rin yung bed, I lay beside her, careful not to get near her. Bahala sya dyan. Tulog muna ako. So I closed my eyes and slept. 

FF, the alarm rang. 

Afterwards I felt my left leg got kicked hard, at may humampas sa ulo ko. ANG LAKAS! And di lang yan ang napala ko, pinagsisipa pa ako para mahulog sa bed.

""Bastos ka! Bastos ka! Unsa man imong gibuhat nako? Bastos ka!"" 

""Shhh— Nakatulog lang ako, ano ba?!"" 

Sinipa-sipa na naman nya ako, so I got up and turned the alarm off. 

""Grabeha jud nimo ka manyakis oy! Maski gwapo ka, di ko maganahan nimo kay MANYAK KA!"" 

""Manyak? Umuwi kang mag-isa!"", I walked out of the room. 

Pasensya na baby, di ko namalayan na ginawa na pala kitang pillow. Ang lambot mo kasi. Ang sarap yakapin.

I got back to my room and prepared myself. Paglabas ko to eat my breakfast, nakasalubong ko si Ate Mayang. 

""Ate, may nakita kang nakauniform na babae? Yung kasama ni Mom kagabi sa sala? Nakaalis na ba sya?"" 

""Oho Sir, bagong-bago lang ho."" 

""Sige salamat ate."" 

I walked to the garage and instantly started a car. Hindi pa nakalayo yun, I'm sure. Hindi pa yun nakasakay kasi kaunti lang ang dumadaang tricycle sa street namin that time in the morning. 

And I was right. She's about three houses away from us. Binusinahan ko. She turned her head to me for a second but didn't pause. Hahaha, she looked so sleepy, lutang na lutang. I caught up with her and opened my window. 

""Hoy sakay na! Baka mamaya makita na lang kitang nakabulagta somewhere. Baka ma-late ka rin. Di pa traffic. Pwede rin hatid na kita sa school mo"". 

I thought bubulyawan nya ako. Instead, she went to the back seat and as soon as she sat, she closed her eyes. Ang cute talaga. 

FF, I woke her up when we reached their place. 

Nakahiga na talaga sya sa backseat. ""Baby, halikan kita dyan. Wake up."" 

Effective. She woke up at lumabas agad. 

Then she went to my window. ""Hintayin mo ako dito, mabilis lang. Sayang pamasahe eh."" 

Nagdemand pa. 

Mag-se-7am na nung dumating sya. 

She went to the backseat. ""Ba't dyan ka na naman? Dito ka sa tabi ko,"" I insisted. 

""Di ko, matulog sa ko."" 

""Di kita ihahatid pag dyan ka."" 

Sinunod nya ako. She went to the passenger's seat, and off we went.

FF, traffic na kasi, so we reached City High about 7:40am na. 

""Yan ang napapala sa overnight."" 

Di sya umimik. Gusto pa nyang matulog. 

I kissed her cheek. Dumilat ang eyes nya. Hahaha. 

""Energizer. Diba, nakakagising?"" 

... nyeta, sinampal ako! 

""MANYAK!"" She got off the car and quickly walked away. 

She makes me confused. Crush nya ba talaga ako o hindi? Ba't ayaw nya yung mga pagpapasweet ko sa kanya? Hahahaha.

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

Later, as I was driving back to my house, I remembered that last day na pala namin together. Ang bilis lang ng mga araw. It seemed as if it was yesterday nung nagkita kami first time. I began to feel sad. Very sad. 

Half-German/Half-Shepherd 

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

7th Day. Tuesday. 

(Continuation)

Our last day together didn't have a beautiful start. Tinorture nya ako. Napagbintangan pa akong manyak, which I'm not. 

Despite that, I thought of my last surprise for her. Peace offering. 

Lunch time. I texted her: "" Punta ka dito sa Thai restaurant sa tabi ng fitness gym."" 

I thought she wouldn't come. I already ordered a meal for two. Ayoko namang kainin lahat if she'd not turn up.

Luckily, she appeared at the restaurant door. Our eyes met. 

Good mood na sya. As she was walking towards me, I moved her chair for her. 

""Effort?""

""It's our last day together, don't you remember? This day must be memorable. Para wala kang pagsisihan na naging boyfriend mo ako.""

She giggled. Ang tagal ko nang di nakita yan. 

Umupo na sya. 

(pabulong) ""Mahal diri, diba?"" 

""Ikaw ba ang magbabayad? Why are you worrying? Just eat. Magpakababoy ka. Last treat ko na 'to sa'yo."" 

""Ok!"" 

FF, as we were eating, bigla syang nagtanong, ""Nganong naabot ka didto sa kwarto na akong gitulugan? Naa kay gibuhat nako no?"" 

""Excuse me, I respect women. Napunta lang ako doon kasi gigisingin na sana kita. Pero inaantok din ako kaya natulog na muna ako.""

""Pwede man unta nimo katukon lang ang purtahan para makamata ko."" 

""How will I know where you're sleeping if I wouldn't open the door and check the room? Or ni-lock mo na lang sana ang door mo para malaman kong dun ka pala natutulog."" 

She breathed deeply. She was trapped. 

""Nibalik na lang unta kag tulog sa kwarto nimo.""

""What's the big deal with sleeping beside you? I'm one of the owners of the house. I can sleep wherever I want."" 

She fell silent. 

""Aawayin mo na lang ba ako? Bati na tayo. Magbebreak na tayo mamaya. Sige ka, baka pagsisihan mo."" 

""Ok, payts na ta. Di na bitaw to mausab."" 

""Sorry about that anyway."" 

Ningitian nya lang ako. Miss ko na yung ganoon nyang ngiti. Since Saturday, madalas na nya akong sinusungitan. Or was it my fault why nagkaganoon sya? 

FF, we finished our lunch at almost 1pm. 

""Patay, late nasad ko. Dagan nasad ko ani."" 

""Busog ka pa. Maglakad ka lang."" 

""Hello! Kalayo sa among room!"" 

""Hatid na lang kita. Papasok ako sa campus niyo para makapagtour din ako."" 

""Ok lang sa imo?"" 

I nodded. 

So hinatid ko sya papuntang room nya, doon pa sa pinakadulong building ng school nila. 

Bago sya bumaba, I told her, ""Feeling prinsesa ka, baby?"" 

""Oo, ikaw akong prince. Salamat sa paghatod ug sa lunch ha! Ingat sa pagdrive."" 

""See you later."" 

Good that we were able to resolve that ""manyak"" issue. Ang liit lang nun, pinalaki pa nya. Hahaha. 

FF, uwian na nya. 

""Ikaw na ang bumili ng snack mo basta huwag mo akong bibilhan,"" I texted her. 

I saw her buy 3 corns. She listened to me :)

Pagpasok nya sa car, she asked me, ""Unsaon mani? Di namo matiwas ni Mama ang My Girlfriend. Magbreak naman ta unya. Di nako kabalik sa balay ninyo."" 

""Pwede ka namang pumunta kahit break na tayo."" 

She pouted.

""Ay di ko. Murag di nako makaya pag makita tika usab. Makahilak siguro ko."" 

""We'll remain friends naman kahit break na tayo. Di ko nga man lang naramdaman na magjowa pala tayo. Lagi mo kasi akong pinag-iinitan.""

""Ikaw man gud ba..."" 

""Huwag ka nang magdrama. Tingnan mo na lang ako for one last time kung ayaw mo na akong makita after this day ends."" 

As we were driving to my house, we just kept silent. Nakatitig lang sya sa akin. And I felt strange. Ang bilis ng pitik ng puso ko. 

But pagdating nya sa sala, she and Mom continued where they left off last night and focused watching. Kinilig, natawa, nainis, nagtalo...

""Mas bagay si Gumiho ug tung doctor.""

""Dili Ma, uy, mas bagay sila Dae Woong ug Gumiho."" 

""Kabati sa nawong ni Dae Woong."" 

""Bagay man gihapon sila Ma."" 

They looked more like mother and daughter. Medyo nadisappoint kasi ang Mom ko nang di sya nagkaanak ng girl. With M, I think she was able to know how it feels like to have a daughter. 

Like yesterday, di nila ako pinansin. I stayed in my room and texted M, ""What time ba kayo matatapos?"" 

""Ambot, naganahan man gud ming Mama. Unya na text."" 

FF, di pa rin ako nagbibihis as I was waiting for M and Mom to be done. I went down to them at 11pm. 

""Almost done?"" 

""Taud-taod,"" M replied. Gising na gising pa rin sila.

It was almost 11:30pm when natapos ang episode na pinanood nila. 

""Extend pa ta M.""

""M, uwi ka na,"" I asserted.

""Diri na lang sya matulog usab N."" 

""Male-late na naman yan bukas like today."" 

""Suplado lagi imong anak Ma no?"" 

""Mom, just finish that this Saturday."" 

Mom darted back at me, ""Ugma diay?"" 

I looked at M. She seemed to read my mind.

""Ay o diay Ma, kanang magstudy na ko para sa mga exam namo next week."" 

""Ok, pero bitin man gud. Ibilin na lang ni diri ha. Iuli lang ni N sa imuha ugma."" 

M glanced at me. ""Sige Ma.""

Then she and Mom both bade goodnight to each other. And we left. 

Inside the car, M was still silent. 

""Ba't ang tahi-tahimik mo? You're so different from the first day we met.""

She didn't answer. 

""Baby, baby —"" 

Still no answer. 

""Di mo na ako papansinin porket magbebreak na tayo?"" 

She was so silent, maybe she was crying silently. So, I turned to her. Nakatulog lang pala. Tsk, tsk, tsk. Paano ko na naman ba gigisingin 'to? 

(Reader, got my idea?) 

FF, nung doon na kami sa kanto ng place nila, tinitigan ko muna sya. She was so sound asleep. Yung tipong baka magbi-beastmode pag ginising mo. 

Magagalit naman sya pag hahalikan ko. So I tapped her gently sa shoulder nya. 

""Baby, dito na tayo, uwi ka na.""

No answer. 

Inalog ko. 

""Whmmm..."" she stopped my hand from shaking her. 

At the back of my mind, I told myself, ""Bahala na kung masapak mo na naman ako."" 

Yeah, reader, you know what I did next. 

As expected, she slapped me. But, I didn't stop. Tinotohanan ko. She wasn't responding, but I went on. Bahala sya.

Pagbigyan na, last na 'to eh.

She tried pushing me away but sorry. 

However after about a good minute, I stopped. Mabilis lang naman. 

(Naiiyak sya) ""Gihatagan jud ko nimog maayong rason para magbreak ta! BREAK NA TA, FINAL! Ug ako na lang ang magkuha sa DVD nako kay Mama. Ayaw jud pakita nako sugod karon! Bantay lang jud ka! Ipa-DDS jud tika!"" 

She went out of the car and pushed the car door strongly. 

I just laughed after seeing her reaction.

So that's it. We broke up just because of that kiss. 

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

When I entered my room, I saw a card sa ibabaw ng bed ko. Sino'ng naglagay nito dito? 

I picked and opened it. 

It's... From M. But, how did it get here? Di naman ako natulog kanina while they were watching. Anyway, here's the message in it.

""Hello Baby, 

Sorry kaayo kay bad girlfriend ko sa imuha, na bisag tabangan unta tika makarecover, gipasakitan man intawon tika. 

Abi lang nimo Baby na dali lang ni sa ako kay crush tika? Dili uy. 

Lisod diay magkauyab labaw nag di pa kaayo mo nag-ila ila. Pero maingon nako na but-an jud ka ug sweet. Makakilig to the bones, makaabrig atay. Hahahaha! Ikaw, kabalo ko naglagot ka sa ako. Di na gani ko gwapa, suplada pa jud. Sori kaayo Baby. Pero bisan ing ana ko sa imo, salamat kaayo sa pag-antos sa akong ugali. Ngil-ad jud kog batasan. Makalagot man gud ka ba, labaw na nang ilaron ko nimo. Ug katong... Kabalo na ka. 

Gusto unta ko makipagfriends sa imuha... Pero murag imposible. Kay nisamot man intawon kog kain-love nimo! Ambot uy, biskan nakabuhat kag daghang sala sa ako. Feel man gud nako di jud ko nimo magustuhan. Sakit mag expect. 

Di pud ko ganahan makita ka uban imong bag-ong uyab. Basig kung magpadayon tag amiga, ipailaila nimo sa ako imong bag-ong girlfriend. Ana buhaton to nimo sa iyaha ang mga gibuhat nimo sa ako, pero mas sweet pa kay mao to imong tinuod na ginahigugma. Napilitan lang bya kag uyab nako. 

Basta uy, salamat kaayo sa tanan love (bahalag tinuod o atik lang) na imong gihatag sa ako. Nafeel jud nako nga uyab tika. Di jud tika kalimtan, promise. Ug unta di ko nimo makalimtan bisag mura kag ginaurom taga kita nimo nako. 

I love you kaayo, Baby!

Heartbroken kaayo ko karon tungod nimo :'( 

Good luck sa imong next girlfriend. Unta dili naka niya pasakitan ug sya najud imong makadayunan. Higugmaa syag maayo labaw pa sa paghigugma nimo kay R. 

P.S. Kalimta na tong akong mga giampo sa Redem. Kabalo lagi ko na imposible to mahitabo! 

Love, M <3 <3 <3"" 

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

After reading that, I suddenly had the urge to call her. But she might be asleep na.

It's weird but....I miss her already.

Half-German/Half-Shepherd

RESPONSE

Bag-o ta magsugod. 

Ako diay tong si M. 4th year na ko diri sa atong makadakog bagtak na skwelahan, mura gihapog City High. Diri ko nagskwela kay brayt ang mga estudyante, basig matakdan ko ninyo. Di ra nako isulti akong course (lahi na course akong giclick sa baba). Pangitaon pa ko ninyo, ayaw na! Di ko gusto musikat tungod sa libak. Di ko gwapa! Di pud ko ganahan naay mean girls magbully o mag-atang nako sa Obrero. Sori lang jud. 

Naglagot ko na gikilig na ambot unsa pagkakita nako sa gisulat sa akong trying-hard na panuhak na baby pet. Kulang pa syag dog food para mahuwasan nganong nagconfess sya diri! 

Ulaw kaayo, giingnan pa ko sa uban na bata pa, biga dayon ko. Dugay na tong panahon niagi. Oo, bigaon jud ko pero ingon pa sa akong pinsan na si P (kadtong MC gud), kay N lang man jud ko nagpaduding ug maayo.

Dalagang Pilipina ko, hantod karon. Di mo mutuo? Wala jud ko gilayagan. Maluoy mo kay N kung iistorya niya iyang kaagi pag ginadugo ko. Kulang na lang ipakaon nako akong napkin sa iyaha (evil laugh). 

Kung uban babae muhatag dayon sa ilang "" regalo"" kay N, ako magpalubong na lang kog buhi bag-o ko magpatarog niya, xhos! 

Daghan ug nabitin kay part 1-4 pa lang ang napost (aning panahonang nagsuwat ko). Nangutana ko kay N kung naa pa syay nabuhat ug oo, hantod Day 7 iyang nasulat ug gisubmit daw diri sa UCC last year pa. Natingala sya ngano wala nakita sa mga nag-check sa submissions ang parts 5-8. Gikapoy bya daw syag hulat kanus-a mapost. Hala mo admins! Naluoy sya sa mga nagwild kay na-snake! Dili snake si N, irong buang ni sya! 

Gipabasa niya sa akua ang iyang gipangsuwat (gi-email nya ang MS document na iyang gitype). Daghan kaayog libak ang iro sa ako. Pasagdan na lang nako kay gipasa na niya. Dayon gihangyo ko niya na ako na lang daw magsuwat sa Day 8-9 kay nabusy sya sugod January 2 (naa diay sya sa Albay ron. Ayaw namog atang niya sa graduation batch 2016 kay didto japon sya). 

Tungod anang kabusy nya, luoy na kaayo sya. Mahal bya ang dog food sa sigbin na spesyal. 

Sige sugdan na nato. Salamat diay kaayo sa mga comments, negative ug positive. Wala sya nag-expect na daghan diay kiligon. Denial pajud ang buang! Gikilig man gani mi tung kami ang nakaagi ani! O kani na sya...

(Day 8)

Wala jud ko nakatulog tungod sa iyang gibuhat sa ako. Naglibog ko kung giganahan ba ko ato o nangluod, sa tinuod lang. Gikilig man ko pero kabalo man unta sya na di ko gusto ug kisskiss dayon. In fairness, humok syag lips (yayayayay!) Maulaw ko mura syag naglip moisturizer! Tisoy man gud. Pink lips pa jud, murag pirmi galipstick, nangawat sa Mama niya. Akong lipstick kay uling. 

Di na ta maghisgot ana, padayon. 

Nagtisting jud kog tulog atong gabii pero, bisag unsa nakong piyong2, ligid2, unsa pa man, ngano ang kiss sa buang akong mahinumduman? Giurom man siguro ko? Animal jud! Di jud ko makigkita nya usab! 

Wala ko katulog. Niskwela gihapon ko. Sa klase mura kog naa sa rock concert. Sigeg headbang. Lami jud icutting. Mupalit nakog invisibility cloak sa sunod para sa mga ingon aning emergency. 

Tung lunchbreak namo, nagnet ko. Giblock nako ang ya**. Pati number nya gidelete nako (pero memorized diay, useless japon.)

Gipabay-an nako ang messages namo kay basahon nako inig mag-emo2 ko. Hahahaha! 

Gitext sab nako ang Mama ni N na akoy mukuha sa DVD. Gihangyo nako sya na di ingnan si N sa akong plano. Kung magkita jud mi, ambot na lang, magkuha siguro kog pusil ug barilon sya on the spot. 

Nibalik kog klase. Good girl ko, di ko magcutting...

Kani na, ulian na! Nagtan-aw jud ko sa palibot kung naay kriminal. Wala man sya. Nisakay kog trisikad padulong fairlanes. Ug nipara ug jeep padulong sa ila. 

FF, giadtuan ko ni Mama sa ilang gate. Di nako musulod kay dapat magdali ko. Lisod nag maabtan ko niya. 

""Gang, di najud ka muadto diri?"" 

""Dili na Ma, maulaw ko sa inyo ni N. Buotan kaayo mo sa ako bisag di ko ninyo paryente."" 

""Mura naman gani nakog anak si P, ikaw pa kaha na pinsan niya?"" 

Nagtungkalog na jud akong tiyan sa kakulba basig muabot ang kriminal, ug akong heart nagguot kay mamiss jud nako si Mama ug... ang iyang anak, huhuhu. 

""Sige na Ma, uli nako. Magstudy pa ko."" 

Gigakos ko ni Mama. Kahilak man ta oy pero pugngan kay wa koy karapatan!

""Pag ayo2 sa imong pagskwela ha ug kung magtawag ko sa imo, tubaga."" 

""Oo Ma. Kamo pud ni N. Magkita lagi ta puhon"".  

Mao to nag I love you goodbye na mi ni Mama ug niuli nako. Hay salamat wala mi nag-abot sa panuway. 

Natrapik ko didto sa Gaisano dapit sa dihang naay nagtawag. Pagtan-aw nako... si N. Nakulbaan ko, unsa man? Tubagon? Gitubag nako oy! 

Ako: ""Who you? Sorry I don't talk to strangers when my mouth is full. Wrong number."" 

End call! Gipatay nako diretso ang cp! Ingnan ko ninyog pamati? O pamati ko! Long hair ko ato, gandang Ricky Reyes! 

Pero nakulbaan sad ko basig... naghulat ang buang sa kanto namo! Giatay na! Unsaon mani? Naglatagaw jud akong hunahuna samtang naa ko sa jeep. Mura kog nangutot ug tugnaw sa kakulba! Unta magdugay pa ning trafik para mawad-an ug pasensya si N. (Expect pud ko nga nag-atang sya didto sa ako no?) 

Pag-abot nakog kanto... wala diay. Bwisit! Useless akong kakulba! 

Wala najud nako gi-on ang cellphone nako. Magtawag nasad to, ayaw na. 

Nagbuhat kog assignment, natulog ug wala lang. Back to normal. Pero makamiss pud sya, huhuhu.

(Day 9)

Sa dihang tunga sa kadlawon, nakamata ko. Giandar nako akong cp para tan-awon ang time. Pist, off man diay. Gi-on nako ug pag-on, HALA! 3 messages received gikan sa iya! 

Gibasa nako ug ang nakabutang (NV ni pero i-english lang nako para mafeel ninyo syay nagtext). 

""Why did you block me? What the f*** you are!!!""

""See your inbox. I sent you something"". 

(Naa syay gisend sa akong inbox? Giunsa niyag unblock iyang sarili?) 

""You'll regret if you don't answer me right now!"" 

Unsa? Unsa ng regret? Wala bya ko nagpaload! Naa pa lage abri na internetan pero pag mugawas ko, delikado sad. Babae bya ko! (Tama diay, nganong namroblema man ko ana sauna nga bati man kog nawong? Hahaha!) 

Pagkabuntag ato, nagdali jud kog paload. Gitext nako ang ya**. 

""Nganong ginahadlok ko nimo? Stalker ka?"" 

Nagreply pud sya, ""Have you seen it?"" 

""Unsang nakita?"" 

Wala na nagreply!! Piskot, pusanggala, animal, ahak! 

Nagnet nalang ko sayo sa buntag. Wala ko nisulod sa akong first period, late bitaw ko. 

Pag-abri nako sa akong inbox...

Ang gisend diay sa kriminal kay...

PICTURE NAKO NATULOG! Hagardoversoza kaayo akong nawng didto! Iya pa jung gigamit na account kay P! 

Ug naa didtoy message si Kuya P (dili Piolo) para nako. 

""Boang! Bakit ka may picture na natutulog sa bahay ni N? May nangyari na ba sa inyo? Isusumbong kita sa tatay mo! XD"" 

ANIMAL!!!!!!!!!!!!! 

NAA JUD BYAY CELLPHONE # NI PAPA SI KUYA P! Makatawag jud ug 911 pinaahat ang tig-iya sa internetan kay nakuyapan ko!!!

So gitext nako si Kuya P. ""Kuya, wag mo akong isumbong kay Papa! Nag-overnight lang ako sa guest room nila Kuya N. Doon na ako pinatulog ng mama nya kasi late na kaming natapos sa pinanood namin. Kuya please, parang awa mo na. Maghahanap ako ng mga type mo, sige na."" 

Wala jud nagreply akong yatis nga pinsan!

Gitext nasad nako si N, ""Gago ka! Nganong gipicturan man ko nimo atong natulog ko? Gisend pajud kay Kuya P! Ayaw jud pakita nako, ipadakop jud tika sa pulis!"" 

Paghuman ug pila ka segundo, nagtawag sya nako. 

""Bakit kasi bin-lock mo pa ako. Yan tuloy napala mo."" (Naghagikgik sya sa pikas linya)

Nigawas ko sa internetan.

""Animal kang ya** ka! Maligsan unta ka unya!""

""Ano? Payag kang extend tayo?"" 

Ha? Unsa daw to? 

""Extend? Gago ka!"" 

""If you won't, P would call your father and tell him something happened between us. Not only that, I'd make him post that picture of you and tag you!"" (Grabe jud sya makakatawa! Kainsulto!) 

Ako sad ato naratolsnake!! Unsaon na mani?! Pero extend daw.. Extend daw. Ulaw man oy! Pero mamatay ko pag mahibaw-an sa akong pamilya nga nagpaligis daw ko sa isa ka irong buang! 

""Sige uy, extend! Brayt ka, brayt jud ka!"" 

""Buti alam mo. Sunduin kita mamaya. Love you Baby."" 

Wa ko nitubag niya. Nanglain akong dugo sa iyang pangblackmail nako. 

""Di mo na ako mahal? I love you Baby."" 

""Plastik!"" 

Gi-end call nako. Lage, #3 ang setting ato sa akong electric fan sa ulo. 

Pag-ulian, naa jud sya. Gwapo kaayog smile, kanang hilas gud. Yatis kaayo kay sya daw nadaog namo. 

Mainlab man kog samot sa manyak, piskot. 

""Let's start week 2?"" 

Wala ko nitubag. Nilingkod lang ko sa akong kotse hahaha! 

""Ikaon na, napasmo ra ka."" 

""Bati na tayo. Ang sungit-sungit mo lagi.""

""Pagbinut-an na lagi! Wala jud kay values. Mao na imong natun-an tong nagcollege ka? Catholic school ka pero hastang bastosa nimo!"" 

""Ok, from now on, magpapakabait na ako, para sa'yo lang."" 

Mabungkag man atong atay ana oy! 

""Sure ka ha? Idelete sad tong picture!"" 

""Ayoko."" Ug gipakita niya iyang cellphone. Iyang wallpaper...

Katong picture nako! Buing! 

""I kiss you here since we broke up, whenever I see my phone."" 

Ug gikisan nasad niya paghuman nyag litok. Haaaay! N!! Ipadala ko sa mental be! Mangayo nakog tabang! 

""Bola-bola imong gisud-an ganiha? Grabe lagi ka mamakak?"" 

Nikatawa ra sya. Ug nagdrive na sya... padulong sa ilaha! 

Pero... sa laing lugar diay mi nidiretso.

Sa hotel! 

Atik lang!

Gisulod nya iyang kotse sa Redem! SA REDEM!!! KABALO BIYA MO DIRI KO NAPALAW UG AYO! 

""Nganong diri ta?"" , atik atik lang gud kog pangutana. Kabalo man ko mangampo ra mi didto. Kakilig, hahaha! Namugnaw akong singot sa ilok!

""Basta."" 

Ug nibaba mi. 

Sa dihang nagpaduol man sya sa ako, kanang dikit kambal tuko. 

""PDA kaayo ka."" 

""We shall walk together."" 

Didto jud mi nisulod sa tunga na agihanan. Maayo wala kaayoy tao. Mga nanulod ra para mag-ampo.

Muliko na unta ko sa pinakalikod na lingkuranan pero gipugngan ko niya. 

Nagpadayon lang mig lakaw. 

Gisubay jud namo ang tunga na dalan! 

Padulong sa pinakaatbang! Naa jud mi sa tunga! Naulaw ko sa among gibuhat! 

Nihunghung bitaw syag kalit,

""Remember your prayer? That you want to be the one I'll walk in the aisle? Here we are."" 

Pagkadungog nako ato, akong mata! Akong mata nagtubig! 

""Lingkod na ta, papansin kaayo ta diri."" 

Nagngisi lang sya nako. 

""Di mo ba ako naiintindihan?"" 

""Kasabot ko nimo! Ayaw ba, kahilakon bya ko."" 

""Ok, let's go."" 

Nilingkod mi sa pinakaunang lingkuranan. Nag-ampo mi. Wala mi nagtingog samtang gaampo. Nagpiyong man mi ato nag-ampo no, giabri bitaw nako akong mata kay silipan sya. 

Nagpiyong jud ang sigbin. Gwapooooo kaayo sya! Lami na ikiss the groom! Hahaha! Biga na sad, high school pa gani ;) 

So nagpadayon na sad kog ampo. Human nakog ampo, wa pa sya nahuman. Nag-orasyon man siguro ni. 

Paghuman nya, nistorya nasad sya. 

""Baby, if we won't end up together, just remember I'll never forget you. You're one of the most memorable people I've ever had and will ever have in my life."" 

Drama kaayo sya. Englishan pa jud ko. 

""Atik?"" 

""Kanina ka pa. I'm being honest."" 

Wa najud nako napugngan. Dili man gud ko kabalo unsa akong ireply kay atay, GIKILIG JUD KO! 

Gisumbagan nako iyang butkon, hastang kusuga! 

Di sya kasyagit! Gaba!

Pero naa pud koy drama oy. Naghilak ko ato. 

""Salamat kaayo N. Love jud tika! I love you. Dili na plastik."" 

""I know, you said it in your card..."" Nihunong sya. 

""By the way, how did your card get into my room?"" 

""Gisugo nako si Ate Ising."" 

Nismile nasad ang gwapo. Gikaptan niya akong duha ka kamot ug nitutok sa akong mata. 

""I love you, Baby."" 

Haaayy! Ginoo, tabang!!! 

Pila gud ko kasegundo naspeechless! 

Sa dihang ningisi kalit ang iro! 

""Kinikilig ka ano? Namumula ka na naman. Ang dali-dali mo talagang lokohin.""

Nagpugong sya sa iyang pagbuhakhak!

ATAYA!! PAKYASA!!! ABI NAKOG TINUOD NA!! PIRTING TANGAANG BAYHANA!!!

Tingala diay gigunitan niya akong duha ka kamot aron di ko kakulata niya!

""Ya**a jud nimo! Letsonon jud tika!"" (gihunghong ra nako na ha, pinasuko!)

""Try it."" (half-smile pa jud)

TABISA BA!!! GUKURON JUD TIKAG SUNDANG UNYA!!!

---------------- 

Ug mao na among story. Paghuman ug week 2, giextend na sad niya. Bag-ong death threat iyang gipanghadlok nako. Hantod sa na week 3, na 1 month, na 1 year. Karon, 4 years nami sukad October 12, 2011. (Sus wala nalang jud nitunong ug November 11, 2011 para pagsulat 11-11-'11). Mag-5 years mi puhon sa sunod October. 

O, nagkauyab jud mi. Obvious man! Sori sa mga babaeng nagcomment na gusto nila angkunon akong baby. Peace :) 

But-an jud sya. Kung naay almost perfect na lake, isa na sya didto. Mas gwapo iyang kasing2 kaysa iyang looks. Daghan pud mig away oy, kanus-a mana di mawala? Sampulan ta mo? Katong nagkita sila ni R diri sa Davao? Ayaw na lang, taas na. 

Palihog, ayaw mog ampo na magbulag mi be? Maluoy mo nako. Sya lang jud ang nakaingon na gwapa ko. (Taasa na sa akong buhok tungod sa kadaghan sa buhok sa mais na akong gikaon hahahaha)

Naa man juy poreber. Pagbuhat sad mog pamaagi para magkaporeber mo. Ayaw sigeg hulat. Mura gud ug pagpangitag kwarta. Paglihok apilig ampo.

Nag-uyab diay mi kay ako bya ang nanguyab niya ug 2 years. Gisugot ko nya atong October 12. Wala lagi sya naglisod ug panguyab nako pero naglisod syag sabot sa akong pagkaboang kaniya. Hahaha! 

Legal na mi sa both parents namo, 2nd year ko katong nagdecide sya na ingnon namo ang tinuod. Wala jud katuo akong pamilya tung una, labaw na akong duha ka kuya, na naay magkagusto nako. Tisoy pa jud! Mga panuhak utro. Sige na nilag imbita si N manginom unya si N ang sigeg bayad! Luoy kaayo akong baby pet no? 

Tag-asa na. Patyon na nako akong electric fan sa ulo. CUT! GOOD TAKE! 

Salamat kaayo sa pagpost UCC ug sa tanan nagabasa, salamat pud kaayo sa inyong pagsubay sa among di katoohang Mais Serye. Ingon pa jud sa uban wattpad daw ni. Mura bitaw, pero naagian ma ni namo.  

Sori pud di ko magpost ug picture kay mailhan pata. Daghan biyag nagkalat na hokage sa dakbayan sa Davao. Sige byag post si N sa instagram niya, unya, mugawas pa ang picture pag-isearch ninyo. Lisod na. Bag-ong pic? Dili pud ko. 

Muingon nasad mog boret lang ni kay di mi magpakitag picture ha! Ayaw sad! Private man gud mi na tao. Makakita pa lang mo kay N bisag nakasmiley ang nawong, mangang-gisi japon inyong mga ginasul-ob sa sulod. 

Sige nagluha na inyong mata sa pag-scroll down. 

Salamat usab! Sa inyong mga babaeng ganahan magkauyab ug lalakeng all in one paryas ni N, mirisi! Hahaha! Joke lang. 

Pagpapansin lagi mo sa inyong crush. Maluoy lagi na ninyo. Tistinga ;) 

Para kay N: Gwapo kaayo kag advance graduation gift, mas gwapo pa sa imong kugmo. Ang prize nimo ipadala lang nako sa imuha. Lutuon sa nako.

NILUNG-AG NA SILI! Panuway ka, ngano man nimo giguba akong image diri sa UCC? Paimnon jud tikag pila ka botilya sa sukang pinakurat! 

Magbulag daw ang ""Baby"" ang tawagan. Di na ta mag-Baby. Magbuhat na lang tag Baby! Joke! Mutuo sad ka? Urumon unta ka!

Magpalugos sa ko ilaha Kai ug Sehun bag-o ta magbuhat ug Baby! 

Aw aw aw! I love you, Puppy! Ich liebe dich! 

P.S. Ingon lang mo sa comment kung gusto mo sa POV ni N sa days 8-9. Lingaw pud iyang kaagi. Kung curious mo, comment lang.

Miss Mais

College of Engineering

PART 4

I want to thank the Admins as well as the readers of this page for loving my and my only woman's continuing love story (and I want us to never end).

I didn't expect it will receive much appreciation, as I initially just thought of surprising M. Nakikita ko kasi siyang kinikilig habang nagbabasa dito sa UCC. I thought it will be a brilliant gift for her that one day, she'd read not only others' love stories, but also our own love story in this page. Sorry Tababy! Hahaha. Napagalitan niya ako, actually.

At first, I thought, too, that after M had written the ending, I would not share my own story anymore. But she naturally likes to avenge for herself. Since many people are asking for my point of view, M won, and I have to write this. M, prepare yourself. I'm gonna get back at you, too. (Warning: Bad words all over. I have to write them, 'cos I normally curse when I'm mad, and my friends and I often talk with such trashy words. Every conversation's still non-verbatim.)

Here we go: 

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

A bit of Day 7 and Day 8.

After reading that card, yeah, I felt eerily sad and yearning for her. A little later however, before falling asleep, I kept laughing while thinking of how she reacted after I did that. She was undoubtedly angry. I wouldn't worry of getting tortured anymore, though. Haha.

I was able to sleep that night. After kissing a girl passionately, who wouldn't? 

As you see, it was a different story for each of us.

Morning woke me up with my phone alarm. As usual, I turned it off... but it felt different after seeing M's face in my wallpaper. Damn. What's this feeling rushing through me? I thought when I wake up, I'd just feel like the previous days. Hell, no. 

I tried to act like I wasn't feeling anything that morning. Mom didn't notice something strange. Fine. 

At the office, I thought I'd get back to normal. Again, no. Instead of focusing at my paper work plus listening at the meetings we had that day, I only had one thing — not a thing, but a person — in my mind. Yeah, that girl. 

I already felt sadness was taking over me. I am supposed not to feel this way, right? We just met last week. It's odd. I am a man of one word. Once I say it, I mean it. I said that we'd just be ""on"" for a week. You, reader, do remember that I said ""no extension"". But why do I want to see her so badly later?

Quarter to 4pm. I was busying myself with papers. ""Sir, mag-oovertime ho kayo?"", asked a co-worker who passed by me. I just nodded. 

But since last Wednesday until yesterday, before 4pm strikes, I'm already outside her school waiting for her, right? Sh**! 

I was actually reading papers I shouldn't be busy with. No big deal, as I didn't understand anything in it... 'cos my mind's on her! 

It's getting into my nerves since this morning, and I know I must do the right thing. I stood up, and got off work. I couldn't help it. I couldn't wait to see her. 

FF, I was late, f*** the traffic! I reached her school at about 4:30pm. She would have likely gone home, but a part of me was pushing myself to wait for her a little more. Maybe she was waiting for me, too, and was still inside the campus. Sh**, I don't know any of her friends to ask about her. I know I can text or call her, but I don't want her to think I'm an a******, waiting for her here though we already broke up last night. 

Waited until 5pm but no sign of her. I was annoyed of myself that moment 'cos I know even if she'll see me, she'd just ignore me. Cut the crap. I drove to Roxas to eat some isaw. I'm so stressed over this. 

While I was eating in my car, I ended up calling her finally. I thought she wouldn't answer. You know she did and said those silly words! Crazy girl. Even at this time, she could say such things! Hahaha! When she hung up, I redialled her and she was already unreachable. Damn! 

Had I known she was still on her way to their house that time, I would have waited for her at their place. However, that time, I was thinking that she might have already been home earlier. 

Since I couldn't call her, I opened my FB to message her. F***! I couldn't send her a message! She blocked me! 

So I sent her that first message, complaining about her blocking me.

Then, I called her cousin. 

P: ""What's wrong with you, why are you calling me?"" 

Me: ""Call M."" 

P: ""What? Why?""

Me: ""F*****, call her right now! Tell her to answer me!"" 

P: ""What's between you?"" 

Me: ""(insert bad words)"" 

P: ""Ok! Calm down, dude!"" 

P hung up and after a few minutes, he called me. 

Me: ""What did she say?"" 

P: ""F*** you!"" 

Me: ""Tell her that, too!""

P: ""Just kidding. She isn't answering. Why are you that mad?"" 

Me: ""She broke up with me last night!"" 

I could hear P laughing at the other end.

P: ""Are you on drugs? You and M broke up? Last night? So you were in a relationship with her. Whoa, dude! I couldn't believe you can do this!"" 

Me: ""Yeah, yeah, I've gone (insert bad words). Message her in FB. She blocked me!"" 

P: ""Relax dude! She's gonna text you later!"" 

Me: ""You're a f****** useless a******!"" 

I hung up, and drove home hurriedly.

Later that night, I was in a bad mood and Mom saw through me. ""N, bakit parang galit na galit ka?""

""The managers we were with in a meeting earlier were a*******!"", I lied. (Mom's open-minded about curse words.) 

""Sige kumain ka na at matulog agad."" 

""Mom, give me M's DVD. I'm gonna return it to her later."" 

Mom was surprised by what I said. ""Kinuha nya na kanina dito.""

I didn't respond at all but deep inside, I was boiling in anger. I want to hit my head on a wall! I should've seen her had I gone home earlier. Damn you, M! Damn you! 

After having my dinner, I went straight to my room and punched the wall thinking about how stupid I am. 

I was wracking my head off thinking how I can get her attention. An hour passed, and I was on my bed ""talking to her"" at the picture in my phone's wallpaper, cursing. Suddenly like lightning, an idea struck me. That sleeping photo of her! So, I called P again, and he answered after a number of redials.

Me: ""The f*** aren't you answering me?"" 

P: ""I'm partyin', you f****** jerk!"" 

Me: ""I'd send you something in FB and send it to M immediately!"" 

P: ""Are you gonna pay me for this?"" 

Me: ""Yeah! Just do what I say!"" 

So I sent him that photo and minutes later, he called me. He was laughing.

P: ""Where did you get that?"" 

Me: ""I took that pic myself."" 

P: ""What the? Where? Don't tell me..."" 

Me: ""Yeah you're right with what you're thinking!"" (I know what he was thinking about, but I still lied.)

P: (laughing) ""You raped her?"" 

Me: ""(insert bad words)""

P: ""I'm kidding, you a******! I'll send this to her."" 

I hung up, and texted M to see her FB inbox.  

After that, I changed my wallpaper into that sleeping pic. I set an alarm, kissed her on my phone, and ""told"" her, ""You must answer me soon. You don't know who I am and what I can do."" Then I had a nap.

FF, the 11:30pm alarm rang. I called P again, 

P: ""What again? Still no reply! She might be sleeping already"" 

I hung up right away and called M. She wouldn't answer. By the way, M forgot to say I called her a damn number of times! As she wouldn't answer, I sent that third message and got back to sleep, very madly furious. 

Half-German/Half-Shepherd

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

I want to thank the Admins as well as the readers of this page for loving my and my only woman's continuing love story (and I want us to never end).

I didn't expect it will receive much appreciation, as I initially just thought of surprising M. Nakikita ko kasi siyang kinikilig habang nagbabasa dito sa UCC. I thought it will be a brilliant gift for her that one day, she'd read not only others' love stories, but also our own love story in this page. Sorry Tababy! Hahaha. Napagalitan niya ako, actually.

At first, I thought, too, that after M had written the ending, I would not share my own story anymore. But she naturally likes to avenge for herself. Since many people are asking for my point of view, M won, and I have to write this. M, prepare yourself. I'm gonna get back at you, too. (Warning: Bad words all over. I have to write them, 'cos I normally curse when I'm mad, and my friends and I often talk with such trashy words. Every conversation's still non-verbatim.)

Here we go: 

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

A bit of Day 7 and Day 8.

After reading that card, yeah, I felt eerily sad and yearning for her. A little later however, before falling asleep, I kept laughing while thinking of how she reacted after I did that. She was undoubtedly angry. I wouldn't worry of getting tortured anymore, though. Haha.

I was able to sleep that night. After kissing a girl passionately, who wouldn't? 

As you see, it was a different story for each of us.

Morning woke me up with my phone alarm. As usual, I turned it off... but it felt different after seeing M's face in my wallpaper. Damn. What's this feeling rushing through me? I thought when I wake up, I'd just feel like the previous days. Hell, no. 

I tried to act like I wasn't feeling anything that morning. Mom didn't notice something strange. Fine. 

At the office, I thought I'd get back to normal. Again, no. Instead of focusing at my paper work plus listening at the meetings we had that day, I only had one thing — not a thing, but a person — in my mind. Yeah, that girl. 

I already felt sadness was taking over me. I am supposed not to feel this way, right? We just met last week. It's odd. I am a man of one word. Once I say it, I mean it. I said that we'd just be ""on"" for a week. You, reader, do remember that I said ""no extension"". But why do I want to see her so badly later?

Quarter to 4pm. I was busying myself with papers. ""Sir, mag-oovertime ho kayo?"", asked a co-worker who passed by me. I just nodded. 

But since last Wednesday until yesterday, before 4pm strikes, I'm already outside her school waiting for her, right? Sh**! 

I was actually reading papers I shouldn't be busy with. No big deal, as I didn't understand anything in it... 'cos my mind's on her! 

It's getting into my nerves since this morning, and I know I must do the right thing. I stood up, and got off work. I couldn't help it. I couldn't wait to see her. 

FF, I was late, f*** the traffic! I reached her school at about 4:30pm. She would have likely gone home, but a part of me was pushing myself to wait for her a little more. Maybe she was waiting for me, too, and was still inside the campus. Sh**, I don't know any of her friends to ask about her. I know I can text or call her, but I don't want her to think I'm an a******, waiting for her here though we already broke up last night. 

Waited until 5pm but no sign of her. I was annoyed of myself that moment 'cos I know even if she'll see me, she'd just ignore me. Cut the crap. I drove to Roxas to eat some isaw. I'm so stressed over this. 

While I was eating in my car, I ended up calling her finally. I thought she wouldn't answer. You know she did and said those silly words! Crazy girl. Even at this time, she could say such things! Hahaha! When she hung up, I redialled her and she was already unreachable. Damn! 

Had I known she was still on her way to their house that time, I would have waited for her at their place. However, that time, I was thinking that she might have already been home earlier. 

Since I couldn't call her, I opened my FB to message her. F***! I couldn't send her a message! She blocked me! 

So I sent her that first message, complaining about her blocking me.

Then, I called her cousin. 

P: ""What's wrong with you, why are you calling me?"" 

Me: ""Call M."" 

P: ""What? Why?""

Me: ""F*****, call her right now! Tell her to answer me!"" 

P: ""What's between you?"" 

Me: ""(insert bad words)"" 

P: ""Ok! Calm down, dude!"" 

P hung up and after a few minutes, he called me. 

Me: ""What did she say?"" 

P: ""F*** you!"" 

Me: ""Tell her that, too!""

P: ""Just kidding. She isn't answering. Why are you that mad?"" 

Me: ""She broke up with me last night!"" 

I could hear P laughing at the other end.

P: ""Are you on drugs? You and M broke up? Last night? So you were in a relationship with her. Whoa, dude! I couldn't believe you can do this!"" 

Me: ""Yeah, yeah, I've gone (insert bad words). Message her in FB. She blocked me!"" 

P: ""Relax dude! She's gonna text you later!"" 

Me: ""You're a f****** useless a******!"" 

I hung up, and drove home hurriedly.

Later that night, I was in a bad mood and Mom saw through me. ""N, bakit parang galit na galit ka?""

""The managers we were with in a meeting earlier were a*******!"", I lied. (Mom's open-minded about curse words.) 

""Sige kumain ka na at matulog agad."" 

""Mom, give me M's DVD. I'm gonna return it to her later."" 

Mom was surprised by what I said. ""Kinuha nya na kanina dito.""

I didn't respond at all but deep inside, I was boiling in anger. I want to hit my head on a wall! I should've seen her had I gone home earlier. Damn you, M! Damn you! 

After having my dinner, I went straight to my room and punched the wall thinking about how stupid I am. 

I was wracking my head off thinking how I can get her attention. An hour passed, and I was on my bed ""talking to her"" at the picture in my phone's wallpaper, cursing. Suddenly like lightning, an idea struck me. That sleeping photo of her! So, I called P again, and he answered after a number of redials.

Me: ""The f*** aren't you answering me?"" 

P: ""I'm partyin', you f****** jerk!"" 

Me: ""I'd send you something in FB and send it to M immediately!"" 

P: ""Are you gonna pay me for this?"" 

Me: ""Yeah! Just do what I say!"" 

So I sent him that photo and minutes later, he called me. He was laughing.

P: ""Where did you get that?"" 

Me: ""I took that pic myself."" 

P: ""What the? Where? Don't tell me..."" 

Me: ""Yeah you're right with what you're thinking!"" (I know what he was thinking about, but I still lied.)

P: (laughing) ""You raped her?"" 

Me: ""(insert bad words)""

P: ""I'm kidding, you a******! I'll send this to her."" 

I hung up, and texted M to see her FB inbox.  

After that, I changed my wallpaper into that sleeping pic. I set an alarm, kissed her on my phone, and ""told"" her, ""You must answer me soon. You don't know who I am and what I can do."" Then I had a nap.

FF, the 11:30pm alarm rang. I called P again, 

P: ""What again? Still no reply! She might be sleeping already"" 

I hung up right away and called M. She wouldn't answer. By the way, M forgot to say I called her a damn number of times! As she wouldn't answer, I sent that third message and got back to sleep, very madly furious. 

Half-German/Half-Shepherd

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

Hi UCC. I hope you haven't waited for this. Sabi sa akin ni M na konti na lang at baka mawala na raw sya sa katinuan nya dahil sa mga requirements nila. Hahaha, di na'ko nagulat sa kanya. Baliw na sya dati pa ;)  

Sorry guys, I've been busy as well, very busy. 

Start na tayo. Pagpasensyahan nyo na kung magta-TagLish ako. Please bear with me. All conversations non-verbatim, as always.

-----

It was August 2014 when this happened. 

I was having lunch then when an unknown number called me. Binalewala ko ito 'cos I think baka scammer lang. Nakailang call attempts rin iyong number until it texted me. I opened the text and to my surprise it read: ""N, this is me, R. Busy ka ba? Nasa Davao Int'l Airport ako ngayon."" 

I'm not sure what to do then, kung magrereply ba ako o hindi. Bumalik ako ng office, and called her instead. 

""R? What are you doing here?"" 

""Magbabakasyon lang. I wanna experience Kadayawan"". 

""Are you with ...""

""Di kita tatawagan kung may kasama ako. I'm alone. Pwede mo ba akong sunduin right now? If it's ok with you.""

I paused for a while to think. Baka magalit si M kung makikipagkita ako sa kanya — sa ex ko. Pero inisip ko rin na baka maligaw si R rito so,

""Ok. I'll call you again if I'm already there."" 

""Thanks N. See you.""

I excused myself from work and hurriedly drove to the airport. 

Fast forward, I am at the airport at nagkita kami sa arrival area. It's been a couple of years since we've seen each other and I stopped stalking her social media accounts. She's changed much. She became more beautiful, to be honest. Nakapagtataka lang, I didn't feel any kilig or flashback of feelings. Even when she hugged me, I still felt nothing. Because of that, I confirmed to myself that I've completely moved on from her. 

""You look more handsome and happier. Sabi ni P may bago ka na. Yung pinsan nya."" 

""Oo, si M. You look better, too. Did you do this intentionally? Plano mo bang sulutin ako mula kay M?"" 

She laughed and slapped my arm. ""Loko mo talaga!""

Then I drove her to the hotel where she had a reservation, and helped in bringing her things to her room. (Guys, iyon lang ang ginawa ko. I'm a good guy. Walang SPG. Hahaha.) 

Nung nalagay ko na ang lahat ng baggage nya sa room, nagpaalam na ako that I'll return to work.

""Coffee muna tayo. Napagod ka sa kabubuhat ng bags ko. Treat ko."" 

""No thanks, maybe next time."" 

""After work?"" 

""Susunduin ko pa si M."" 

""Ok.""

I could see that she looked sad that I don't have time for her so I told her, ""See me at __ , 7pm."" 

""Treat mo ako ha?"", she said smiling. 

""Sure.""

FF again, sinundo ko si M and didn't tell her about R. That time M was very busy so nagkikita at nag-uusap lang kami tuwing hinahatid at sundo ko sya. (She has a handsome chauffeur, haha). 

We have a rule ni M that I'll let her know kung nakarating na ako ng bahay. Tinawagan ko sya na nakarating na ako at about 6:30pm. I lied. The truth was I was on my way to the mall where R and I decided to meet up.

I arrived earlier than R did. Noong nag-7pm, wala pa rin sya so I called her kung saan na sya. She said that she was shopping. Nakarating na sya sa cafe around 7:30pm. Ang dami nyang pinamili. So different from M.

""You haven't changed. You still make me wait for you, "" I jokingly complained. 

While having coffee, we started talking about what happened since our break-up. She finally admitted that the guy who became the reason for our break-up was indeed one she had an affair with while we were still together. She told me she had 3 boyfriends since then, all short-lived relationships. Niloko sya ng mga ulol na yun. 

""That was karma,"" she spoke bitterly. 

I also told her how my love story with M developed. Tinawanan nya ako and she said, ""Nakakainggit naman si M. Babawiin kita"". 

""Try it. You cannot. I love her too much. I thank you for breaking my heart. She made it whole again."" 

Natawa lang si R kasi ang seryoso ko while saying that. 

""I give up. I'm the loser. Sometimes I think of ""what if's"". What if I didn't cheat on you? What if I admitted my mistake, would you have given me the chance? Maybe, if we didn't break up before, we probably have kids by now."" She told me those in a jolly manner but her eyes say the contrary. 

""You wish, R. Move on."" I laughed out, but saw the sadness or guilt in her eyes even more. 

""I'm so sorry, N. I hope you will forgive me."" 

""I've forgiven you a long time ago, don't worry. I see you as a friend since the time I've forgiven you. Thank M. She's the one who taught me to forgive you."" 

We talked and talked, and each of us consumed 3 tall cups of coffee.

I drove her to her hotel. Again, guys, we didn't do anything. We just bade goodbyes and I drove back home at about 10pm.

The next day, before lunch, tinext ako ni M na wag syang sunduin. She told me pupunta raw sya sa boarding house ng kaklase nya for a group project. I replied that she just tell me when she's back home. 

8pm, no text from her. 9pm, still nothing so I texted her brother. ""Nakauwi na ba si M?"" 

""O, ganiha pa.""

""What time?"" 

""Alas sais pasado. Wa diay nimo sya gihatod diri, bai?"" 

""Sabi nya pumunta raw sya ng boarding house ng kaklase nya kaya di sya nagpasundo."" 

""Basig naa nay laing lake ning akong igsuon. Mag-imbestiga ko?"" 

""Wag na. Ako lang ang lalake ni M. Salamat bai.""

Nagtaka ako bakit yun ang sinabi ni M sa'kin kanina. Umuwi pala syang mag-isa. I feel something's wrong so I called her. 

She didn't answer. 

Tinext ko ulit ang kuya nya, ""Bai, may ginagawa ba si M?"" 

""Tulog na ganina pa. Tingala gani mi nga sayo natulog."" 

""Baka pagod na pagod siguro. Salamat ulit.""

Di na lang ako nag-isip ng kung ano na naging dahilan ni M kung bakit di nya ako pinasundo kanina.

Next morning, naghintay ako sa kanto ng bahay nila. Di sya dumaan. Wala namang ibang daanan mula sa bahay nya patungong main road so nagtaka na naman ako. Tinawagan ko sya. Di sumagot. Tinext. Di nagreply. 

So tinext ko na naman ang kuya nya. ""May sakit ba si M? Mag-aabsent ba sya ngayon? Kanina pa akong 6am naghihintay dito pero di pa sya dumadaan."" 

""Sayo kaayo to nihawa bai! 5:30 pa lang, nihawa na. Abi ba nakog gihatod nimo sya? Tama lagi ko bai. Basig naa nay laing kaigat-igat akong manghod!"" 

Di ako naniwala sa sinabi ng kuya nya. Imposible naman na ipagpalit nya ako sa iba sa loob ng isang araw lang. It bothered me that she was suddenly avoiding me. But still, di pa rin ako naghinala ng kahit ano.

5pm. I waited for her sa meeting place namin. 30 minutes later, she neither showed up, nor contacted me. M, what's wrong? I texted her kuya then, ""Bai, abangan mo si M sa kalsada pero wag kang magpapakita sa kanya. Tingnan mo kung may kasabay syang lalake. Text mo agad ako kung ano ang nakita mo."" 

I remained at my place, hoping she would come. A little later after 6pm, her kuya texted me, ""Sya ra man isa."" I was relieved. But since she didn't answer my calls and texts and avoided me without saying anything, I decided to go to their house. 

FF, sa bahay nila, di ko sya nakita. Nasa kwarto raw sya. 

""M, naa si N diri, "" her mom called her out. No response. 

""Dong, pagawasa imong manghod"", her dad commanded her kuya. 

Pinuntahan sya ng kuya nya sa kwarto. Pagkalabas ng kuya nya, sinabi nya lang na pauwiin na raw ako kasi busy sya. 

Dahil sa di ako naniniwalang busy sya, nagpaalam ako sa dad nya nang pabulong, ""Pa, pwede ba akong pumasok sa kwarto ni M? Wala naman akong gagawing masama sa kanya."" 

""Pwede kaayo."" 

Ganyan kabait ang dad ni M sa'kin, haha!

So, I went to her room. Nagulat sya nung pumasok ako. Bigla nya akong tinapunan ng libro nya. 

She screamed at me, ""Pahawa diri, buang ka!""

""Bakit? Akala ko ba tapos na ang regla mo?"" 

""Gago! Hawa diri, bastos jud ka gikan sauna!"" 

But instead of going out of her room, lumapit ako sa bed nya (where she was sitting). Habang lumalapit ako, tinapunan nya ako ng unan nya. ""Ayawg duol, yawaa ka!"" 

""Ano bang problema mo?"" 

""Unsang problema? Unsa?"" 

Kinabahan ako sa tono ng pananalita nya. I feel like I've done something so wrong. Teka? Alam nya bang nagkita kami ni R? R told me she hadn't told any of my friends that she was going here so I'm sure P didn't tell her that R and I met up yesterday.

""Sabihin mo nga kung ano'ng ikinagagalit mo. Di ko naiintindihan ba't ang init ng ulo mo sa'kin."" 

She didn't answer me. What she did was open her phone and after a while, she showed me something that terrified me BIG time! 

""Unsa man ni? Tubag! Unsa man ni?"", sigaw nya.

The f**k. R secretly took a photo of me, posted it in her facebook with a caption ""We're back together."" Now it's clear why she was so mad at me.

Soon after, binuksan ng kuya nya ang pinto at pinagsabihan si M, ""Nganong sige man kag syagit? Abot sa pikas balay imong tingog. Hinaya imong tingog kung mangaway ka!"" 

""Pahawa diri, utrong yawa ka!"", sagot ni M sa kuya nya. 

Pinabayaan ulit kami ng kuya nya at nagpaliwanag ako sa kanya. 

""She arrived yesterday and we just had coffee. That's all. She doesn't mean we're on again, Baby. Wag kang mag-isip ng ibang meaning."" 

Bigla nyang hinampas ang phone nya sa ulo ko! Ang sakit! Wild talaga nya! 

""Ouch!"" 

""Ayaw ko ilad-ilada! Atikon kaayo ka! Ingon nimo nakauli na ka alas-sais y medya kagahapon!"" Hinampas na naman nya ako ng isa pa nyang libro nang paulit-ulit, ""Bakakon, bakakon, bakakon!"" 

Di ko na sya pinigilan. Aminado akong mali ang ginawa ko. 

""Paniwalaan mo naman ako, M. Di ako nakipagbalikan sa kanya at wala kaming ginawang masama"". 

""Di ko mutoo nimo! Ayaw pakita sa akoa, bantay ra ka! Mapiangan jud tika! Layas!"" 

Deep inside, kumulo na ang dugo ko. Ganito naman parati, di nya pinaniniwalaan ang mga paliwanag ko.

""If that's what you want, fine!"" 

Tumayo ako at umalis. Di ko sya nilingon.

Paglabas ko sa kwarto nya, gulat na gulat ang mga magulang nya. 

""Unsa inyong giawayan?"", tanong ng dad nya. 

""Akala nya kasi kami na ulit ng ex ko porket nagkita lang kami kahapon. Bumisita lang naman dito ang ex ko kasi magka-Kadayawan. Ayaw nya akong paniwalaan, at break na raw kami, ok. Yan ang gusto nya"".  

""Naay solusyon ana, N."" , tugon ng dad nya.

""Jong, bili ka doon ng tatlong Red Horse,"" utos nya sa isa pang kuya ni M.

I think kulang yun kaya sinabi kong, ""Dalawang case"" at nagbigay ako ng pambili. 

Yeah, we had a drinking session sa living room nila. Never lumabas si M ng kwarto. Kinwento ko ang lahat sa dad at mga kuya nya. Naintindihan at pinaniwalaan nila ako. Di ko alam kung nakinig ang mom ni M but I think narinig naman nya. Later on, panay ang parinig naming apat kay M hanggang sa kahit ano na ang napag-usapan namin. 

Di ko namalayang nakatulog na'ko. 

-----------

Nagising ako nang madaling araw nung may naramdaman akong naglagay ng kumot sa akin. I opened my eyes a bit and saw it was M. Then I pretended I was still asleep. Kahit papano, concerned pa rin si Taba sa akin. 

Pagkatapos nyang ayusin ang kumot, lumakad na sya pabalik ng kwarto nya. Pagkapasok nya ng kwarto, naghintay ako ng 30 minutes. I got up and brought the blanket and pillow with me... patungo sa kwarto nya.

I slowly opened the door of her room. She's soundly sleeping, like the time she slept in the guest room sa bahay namin. Maliit lang ang bed nya so malabong magkasya kami. What I did was nilatag ko ang kumot sa sahig beside her bed at dun natulog. 

Pagkaumaga, nagising ako sa pagtadyak nya sa likod ko.

""Nganong naabot ka diri?"", sinigawan na naman nya ako. 

""Ano ba, M, di naman kita tinabihan!"" 

""Tindog dira ug hawa na!"" 

""Inaantok pa ako, may hangover pa ako."" 

Sinipa naman nya ang mga paa ko. ""Tindog dali! Unsa ka, mag-ilis ko mutan-aw ka sa ako diri? Pasimpleng manyak jud ka!"" 

""Oo aalis na!"" 

Ang bigat-bigat ng pakiramdam ko noon pero dahil sa kamalditahan ng Taba, umalis na lang ako.

Umalis akong di pa rin kami ok. Di ko sya sinundo. Tinetext at tawag ko pero di sumasagot. Sabi ng dad nya na hayaan ko raw sya para ma-miss nya ako. 

3 days ko syang di kinontak. Hanapin nya ako. Akala nya sya lang ang may alam magtampo. Nagagawa ko rin yan! 

Bibitinin ko muna kayo. Ang haba na kasi.

Half-German/Half-Shepherd

( Gilumay sa Mais story is originally from UCC )