He Married the Stripper.

Changes.

---NARRATOR---

Some people say marriage changes people. Be it in the way they talk, the way they interact or the way they behave. It's different for most couples, sometimes they change for the better sometimes even for the worst. The people who got married don't usually see the differences but the people around them does. In Anthony's case he thinks marriage made Alex a little bit more approachable and nicer.

Si Alex ang nag-bubukas ng pinto at nagpapa-pasok sa kanya when he comes to pick up Emily. Before, Alex would never say a word to him, no matter how awkward it is not to talk to each other, but with Emily around he had no choice but to join the conversation or talk to him. He was also the type of person who'd never do anything for others but when Emily asked him to get him a drink, he did with little protest. He didn't even seem to mind that he was sitting across from him. When he tried to make small talk he didn't glare at him or ignore him like he usually did, he actually answered his questions although he didn't ask him anything back.

But as time went by and as Anthony came by a lot to hang out with Emily, his once rocky and non existent relationship with his cousin drastically improved and changed. Naging normal na sa kanilang dalawa ang mag-asaran at mag-bangayan like normal cousins. They don't get along the way he and Emily does but it was a start.

Marriage changes people, most couples don't see it but the people around them see every little change.

---EMILY---

Tiningnan ko ang cellphone ko. Naka-receive kasi ako ng message about sa nalalapit na kasal ng high school teacher ko na si Ms. De la Cruz. History teacher and napaka-bait na mentor. Siya yung favorite teacher ko noon and dahil doon naging close kami and because of that, kinukuha nya kong abay sa kasal nya. 

Gusto nyang malaman kung kailan kami pwedeng mag-kita para makapag-pasukat ako ng gown na isusuot, hindi pa naman ako umo-oo sa pagiging abay pero with the way things are, I don't think saying no is an option. 

"Hoy! Okay ka lang?" Tapik sakin ni Anthony ng tumigil kami sa red light. Tumango ako, nag-type ako ng reply at itinago ko ang cellphone ko sa bag ko.

"Sinong ka-text mo? Si Alex? Hinahanap ka na agad?" Tanong nya sakin.

"Hindi no."

"Oh. Hindi nga. Anyway, does he know what we're going to do today?"

"Oo. Sabi ko tuturuan ako ni Tita Carol gumawa ng clay pots. Bakit?"

"Anong sabi niya?"

"Wala. May dapat ba siyang sabihin?"

"Nope. Nothing. Not. at. all." Tinitigan ko si Anthony, nagda-drive na ulit siya, his face looking weird.

"What is it?"

"What's what? I don't know what you're talking about."

"Pwede ba Anthony, kilala na kita. Nagiging redundant ka kapag may tinatago ka." 

"It's not that I'm hiding it. It's... just... well... I didn't think he'd like it."

"Like what?"

"What you're gonna do..."

"Ano bang sinasabi mo? Wala kang sense kausap. Bakit naman tututol si Alex sa gagawin ko? Magpapa-turo lang naman ako sa nanay mo. Anong masama dun? Tsaka sinabi ko na sayo diba, hindi na sya ganun ka-sensitive when it comes to you and your mom."

"Wala naman. It's just... you know what... I'm gonna sound really stupid and petty."

"Please. I know you're stupid and petty and not just that, dramatic ka din. Ano ba talaga yun?" Pilit ko sa kanya.