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So we did go beyond twenty minutes and I couldn't stop myself. I smiled thinking about it again. Nasa kama pa ako and I still can't stop thinking about it. Damn, so this is love? What a very unfamiliar feeling.

I get out my bed and made my way to the shower. After taking one I dressed up with my uniform and head downstairs.

Hindi na ako nag-agahan at sumakay nalang ng tricycle then jeep papuntang kina tito at tita. That's Allyrissa's house.

May dala akong siopao, eh gusto ko eh. Pumasok ako sa gate nilang lageh namang open. Hindi na ako kumatok kasi naman sanay na si tita at tito saakin.

"Morning, Ford," bati ni tita. Nagsalute lang saakin si tito na nagkakape.

I sat down the table at inilapag ang siopao kong dala.

"Is she still asleep?" Tanong ko while I took the paper at the bottom of my siopao.

"No. She was crying last night and I went to check on her. I was surprised that she hugged and told me about her friend. I'm happy she felt good," sabi ni Tita habang inilalagay ang scrambled egg sa plato.

"That's good. Atleast she's opening up to you guys," sabi ko. I took another bite of my siopao.

"How is my daughter doing?" Tanong ng papa ni Allyrissa.

"So far, she's recovering. Also, she's getting better at school, sir."

Ngumite ang tatay ni Ally saakin. "I adore you so much."

Tumayo ito and kissed my aunt. "I'll see you later because I'm heading to work." Hinalikan niya si Tita Layla and left.

Natapos ko na ang siopao ko nang bumaba na si Allyrissa. Nagulat siya nang makita ako.

"Kain ka na," nakangiseng pag-invite ng tita ko.

She walked slowly towards the table. Hindi pa ito tumitingin saakin. Kumuha siya ng bread at inilagay ang scrambled egg sa gitna. Nilagyan niya ito ng ketchup.

I move close to her. "Goodmorning," I whispered.

Bigla itong umubo kaya inabutan ito ni tita ng juice. I smiled at how she gets startled when I'm near her.

Pagkatapos niyang kumain ay lumabas na kami ng bahay. We walked out sa block nila para pumara ng tricycle.

"You okay?" Tanong ko sa kanya.

"Oo, medyo naiilang lang kasi—"

"If it's about yesterday, don't mind it... but know I don't regret it."

Napa angat ang ulo niya at tiningnan ako.

"What?"

"W-wala lang... ano kasi—"

Hinawakan ko ang kamay niya and she held mine too.

"Huwag ka na mag-explain. I know what you're thinking."

***

After namin sa tricycle ay sumakay pa kami ng jeep tapos school na namin. Pwede naman mag tricycle kaso medyo mahal na.

Naghintay sa gate sina Hasna at Veniscio. Agad sinalubong ng yakap ni Hasna si Allyrissa.

"Hoy, may gagawin daw na Christmas ball ang school. Yayain mo si pulubi," bulong saakin ni V habang inaakbayan ako.

Christmas ball? Sounds good pero hindi ako mahilig sa mga ganon. I sighed as I look at Allyrissa. Well she'd be so glad if I dance with her.

***

Uwian na nang subukan kong tanungin si Allyrissa about sa ball. Hinihintay kasi namin si Veniscio na matapos ang kanyang detention. Ang likot kasi. Sinamahan ito ni Hasna.

"Uhm... about the Christmas ball. Are you going?" Tanong ko sa kanya.

"Hmm... baka..."

"Be there and I'll be there."

Ngumite si Ally saakin. Iyong tipong nahihiya na ewan. I smiled at that too.

Ilang saglit lang ay nakalabas na din ang dalawa. Sabay na kami lumabas sa school ground. Nagtatawanan pa kami dahil kay V nang biglang huminto si Allyrissa.

"Hoy okay ka lang?" Tanong ni Veniscio.

At nang tingnan namin ang tinitingnan ni Ally ay napatulala rin kami. It's Michael, standing in front of us. What does he want now?

Napatingin ako kay Allyrissa and she came teary eyed already.

"Can we talk?" Tanong ni Michael.

"Anong talk? Yo bro you fu—"

Hinila ko si Veniscio. I want her to decide. May unfinished business pa sila so I guess it's okay for them to talk.

"We'll be waiting down the alley," sabi ko kay Allyrissa. Then I faced Michael who was glaring at me. "Don't try to do anything," bulong ko kay Michael at hinila na ang dalawa.

"Bakit? Why did you let her?" Tanong agad ni Hasna nang makalayo na kami.

"Why shouldn't I? It's her decision. And I'm pretty sure na may mga tanong siya," I answered.

"So, paano? Paano kung babalik nanaman sa katangan si Allyrissa?" Tanong ni Veniscio.

"She can do whatever she want. Whatever her heart wants."

Tumingin silang dalawa saakin na parang nalulungkot.

"Aren't you worried? Or even hurt?" Tanong ni Hasna na medyo nakakunot ang noo.

"I am but she needs the talk."

Masakit isipin na baka babalik lang din siya kay Michael but what can I do? I can't force her to love me and love shouldn't be all forceful.

I'd rather watch her be happy than her being all sad with me. I sighed at how I'm all this corny person I am right now. Ano ba ginawa ng pag-ibig saakin?

"Can you guys do me a favor?" Tanong ko sa dalawa.

Lumingon naman ang dalawa saakin.

"Can you take her home for me? I just realized, I got things to do." Now I'm making excuses.

"Ano? Hoy kung nasasaktan ka sabihin mo sa kanya hindi iyong aatras ka sa laban Ford!" Sigaw ni Veniscio.

I faked a grin.

"Nakakatawa ka talaga," sabi ko sabay akbay kay V. "Doon tayo kung saan siya sasaya."

Ngumite silang dalawa ng pilit and I did the same. Aalis na sana ako nang matanaw ko na siya. Nakatitigan pa kami and I had to just forced a smile.

Naglakad siya patungo saamin at hinug siya agad ni Hasna. Hindi naman nagtanong si Hasna ng kung ano and I thank God about that. Ayoko malaman ang pinag-usapan nila.

"Paano na iyan, sa ibang direksyon kami ni V. Text text tayo ha," sabi ni Hasna at binitawan na ang braso ni Ally.

"Mag-ingat kayong dalawa," paalam ni Ally at kinawayan niya ang dalawa.

Tahimik lang kaming dalawa sa aming biyahe. I didn't want to talk neither does she.

Nag para kami sa block nila at nang makababa ay hindi parin kami naguusap hanngang sa nasa tapat na kami ng bahay nila.

"Goodnight," sabi ko and I smiled at her. Everything seems awkward between us.

Tatalikod na sana ako nang bigla siyang mag-tanong.

"Hindi mo ba itatanong kung ano napag usapan namin?"

"Bakit? Gusto mo bang malaman ko?" I asked habang nakatalikod pa din.

"Ford... I'm so—"

"Don't be sorry," I said sighing. I put my hands inside my pocket. "Never be sorry for fighting for your happiness. Be sorry when you're not happy."

I continued to walk away from her. I stared at the empty night sky. Damn, I think it's gonna rain tonight.

If We Never LastTahanan ng mga kuwento. Tumuklas ngayon