The Photographer & The Jolly Neighbor

11--

Jennie]

"Sit down" she instructed. Ang layo ng masayahing Lisa sa galit na Lisa. Parang mas gwapo siya pag galit pero nakakatakot. But I remain calm. Di ko Alam pero kahit galit na siya, komportable pa din ako sa kanya. Yung awra nya ngayon parang papatay sa takot. Namumula na siya sa galit pero alam kong kinokontrol niya yung sarili niya. Ayoko sabihin na si Dad yung gumawa nito dahil ayoko din siya mapahamak pero I know kailangan ko pa din ikwento kay Lisa. Alam kong di Niya ko tatantanan hanggat di ako nagsasabi pero I will make sure na malamig na ulo niya bago ko sabihin.

She put down Kuma and he begin to run around Lisa's apartment. Ang ganda Ng apartment Niya. Sobrang neat. Hindi kalakihan pero sakto lang sa isang tao or sa couple. 

I saw Lisa pull out her phone inside her pocket and it looks new. Alam ko bumili Lang siya dahil binigay niya saken yung personal na gamit niya. Pero ang nakapagpatibok ng puso ko ng mabilis at pareho kami. Parehong pareho. Parang couple.

Wag umasa Jennie baka may girlfriend na Yan.

I want Lisa to be calm. Pero di ko alam pano siya papakalmahin. Di pa naman kMe ganun magkakilala. Crush ko Lang siya pero di naman niya alam. Wala akong alam sa story niya or anything. Ang alam ko Lang na nakakuha siya ng offer from Elle as photographer kaya sila nandito.

She put the phone down on the dining table and she got something inside a cabinet.

"Let me clean this" Sabi niya and I saw how her face softens a bit. Kalmado na siya.

"Who did this? Your boyfriend?" Tanong niya and it made me shocked.

"I- I don't have any" sagot ko and she got stiffen from a moment, look into my eyes and continue what she is doing.

"Then who? I need to know Jennie so I can help you" she said at hinawakan ko Ang kamay niya that made her stop then look at me.

"My step father. But please ayoko siya makulong or what. He is still my dad" I beg but she remained quiet.

"Is it okay Kung dito muna ko ngayong Gabi Lang Lisa but promise--" she cut me off.

"Dito ka na Lang. Di ka pupunta sa iba. Dito ka Lang" she commanded that made my heart beats faster. Ngayon ko Lang talaga siya nakitang ganto kaseryoso.

She stood up from her sit and stop in the middle of her tracks without looking at me.

"I-i will just cook for us. A-ayusin muna gamit mo sa taas" she said stuttering and proceed to walk.

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Lisa]

"Are you sure comfortable ka jan sa couch? You can lay down beside me naman. I won't mind" Jennie said. If she only knew how much I wanted to pero I respect her. It's not that masyado akong sex frustrated, Ang sakin Lang, she doesn't even know I have this thing that a man have. Maybe Hindi niya ko papatabihin Kung alam Niya Lang.

"It's okay Jennie. Sanay naman ako." I answered and smile at her. She nods at me with a shy smile and para makalma siya and forget all her shyness, I stood up and get her a glass of milk. She smile ear to ear.

"You remembered?" Sabi niya and I smile while nodding my head.

"Oo ngapala Jen.. we need to exchange phones pala. Anjan kase important files ko. Sobrang hassle naman kung itatransfer pa" i said and she quickly grab her phone on the bedside table.

"You didn't change my icon?" I asked nung makita kong picture ko pa din yung nasa wallpaper.

"No. Di naman saken Yan. Isosoli ko din naman Yan" Sabi niya habang umiinom Ng gatas.

"You don't have to gastos Lang pag bumili ka pa Ng ibang phone. And please don't say no. I insist. Sayang Lang Nyan Wala din gagamit" Sabi ko and gave her an assurance smile. And being Jennie, she let out a sigh of defeat and I chuckled for the moment.

"Goodnight Lisa. Thank you" she shouted from her bed. I didn't look back habang nakahiga. Tinaas ko na Lang Ang kamay ko and nag'okay sign. Ayoko na din humarap kase Hindi ko mapigilan mapangiti. Having Jennie inside my house makes me feel so much happy. She maybe here for a month or two, but I will make sure mapapalitan lahat ng pait ng nakaraan niya ng mga bagong memories na masaya.

"Mmm. Mmm" my deep slumber got disturbed by a voice. I got goosebumps and hid inside my blanket.

"N-no.. hmmm. No!" The voice keeps on shouting. I felt frightened and a little bit scared. But when the screamed got louder, I remember that Jennie is here with me. I quickly stood up realizing that I have someone inside my apartment and I saw Jennie having her nightmares.

"J-jen" I called but she didn't respond.

"N-no please.. don't please.. no" she keeps on screaming. Pinuntahan ko agad siya at tinapik ang mataba niyang pisngi. Her sweats are falling on her temples. Meron din siyang mga namumuong butil ng pawis sa mga noo niya.

"Jennie please wake up" I said tapping her cheeks.

"Jennie" with the last tap on her she quickly open her eyes and catch her breath. I help her sit up and lean her back in the headboard.

"Wait kuha kitang tubig" Sabi ko at tumakbo pababa. Halos malaglag ako sa kakamadali.

"Here" I lean a glass to her and help her drink her water.

"Thank you" she said in a low voice.

I place the glass on the bedside table grab a towel and started to wipe her sweats.

"You're having nightmares" I said and she just lowered her head.

"Go back to sleep na. I will be just here on the couch just call--"

"Please stay here" she asked with teary eyes staring at her makes my heart melts for a moment and I have no choice but to agree on her.

"Okay I'm just here" I said and she push herself to lay down again. With meters away from each other, she push herself a little more to close some distance.

Nakikita ko Kung gano siya binabagabag dahil sa di niya mapakaling pwesto. She will roll over and flip over again in a second. Huminga ako ng malalim at hiniling na sa gagawin sana Di siya magalit.

Her back facing me habang nakatupi yung katawan niya. I saw her trembling. Lumapit ako and embrace her. I make sure na mararamdaman niya na she's safe with me. That I'm her for her.

"Shhhh. I'm here. Wala ng mananakit sayo" I said and di ko Alam ano pumasok sa isip ko but i kissed her temple making he lr stiffen for a moment but then naging soft na siya at komportable. Inikot niya yung katawan niya at humarap saken. She bury her face on my neck and heat rise up in me but I ignore it.

Ginawa niyang unan yung Isa kong braso and in that moment, I made a decision.

"I will protect you whatever happens" I wisphered at her and she nods and hug me back . Mas mahigpit pa sa yakap ko.