No Longer

a

It has been a rough week. Justin was really busy, so was kuya Ares. And I didn't join U the whole week because fans were really digging deep and Tristan didn't want to push it.

Thank God, I have Sheena. She always cheer me up. And also these cute guys. Cholo and Andy are with me right now. Umalis na sina Donny, Mark, Jeno, James, and Raven. May mga lakad pa kasi sila. Kumpleto kami kanina dito sa unit ni Justin dahil natripan nila akong bisitahin.

"Ate Ae, just dance tayo or videoke," yaya ni Andy.

"Nako, kayo na lang," tanggi ko.

Nakakahiya. Plus, I learned that Andy is really good with dancing. Lagi nilang nababanggit sa gc and I've watched some video of him. While Cholo was born a singer. His voice is captivating.

"Dali na, Ate Ae," pamimilit ni Cholo.

They're too cute to resist so I gave in. Kahit hiyang-hiya talaga ako.

We sang and danced and played until it was seven in the evening. Pinakain ko muna sila ng dinner bago sila umuwi.

Kuya Ares got home past eight. Pinaghanda ko sya ng pagkain. We talked randomly. After dinner, nagpunta na kami sa kanya-kanya naming kwarto.

🍑🍒

It was more or less 11 pm when I heard a soft knock from my door. Since I haven't locked the door, he immediately got in.

"Hey, angel," Justin greeted. He sat beside me here on my bed.

"How's your day?" I asked.

But instead of answering, he hugged me. So tight that I almost forgot to breathe.

"11:11," he whispered all of a sudden.

"Make a wish," he added.

So I did. I wished that he'd be genuinely happy. And me, too. And everyone else.

"What's your wish?" he asked.

"Baka hindi matupad kapag sinabi ko. How about you?"

"I wish..." he sighed.

"I wish that you could be mine. Officially," he said while staring right through my soul.

"What?" Is he???

"Aerielle, I like you a lot. No, I actually– I'm in love with you," he confessed.

"I know this week has been shitty. I've been really busy and I'm so tired. But everyday, iniisip ko na lang na after my hectic day, I'd finally be with you, then I'm already good. You make me look forward to each day. So Ae, will you be my girlfriend?"

Shocked is an understatement. My heart is beating loudly. Butterflies in my stomach have summersaulted.

"Grabe. Girlfriend agad? Walang ligaw-ligaw?" I teased him to hide my tension.

"Do I need to do that?"

"Why not?"

"We hold hands, we hug, we even kissed. You let me in your room, and I let you in mine. We're basically together," he said as a matter of fact.

"So? Edi 'wag mo ko yakapin! Lumayas ka rin dito sa kwarto ko!" pagtataray ko.

"I was just kidding. Of course, liligawan kita," he chuckled. And he hugged me once again.

🍑🍒

I woke up feeling extra giddy. And when I opened my eyes, I saw a very beautiful creature.

"Good morning, angel," he greeted and pecked my lips.

I immediately blushed and covered my face. He ruffled my hair, then.

"Stop pestering me. Bumalik ka na nga sa kwarto mo!" hinampas ko sya ng unan.

"Technically, this is my room, too," he even furrowed his brows.

"Ewan ko sa'yo. May trabaho pa tayo!" sigaw ko at bumangon na.

I saw him stood up and fixed the bed. Kinindatan nya pa ako bago tuluyang lumabas.

🍑🍒

I'm back to work today. But still, I was assigned to Dyronne. And Justin isn't allowed to go near me. Nag-iingat talaga kami.

They're filming for an anniversary special of a certain show. Nakita ko nga rin kanina si Simon together with his group.

"Kuya," someone approached us. Or should I say Dy, since hindi naman ako "kuya".

Saktong katatapos ko lang i-retouch si Dy kaya tumabi na ako para makapag-usap sila. But she just said hi then go. She was already out of our sight when I realized who is she.

"Kapatid mo si Mina?" hindi makapaniwalang tanong ko kay Dyronne.

"Yeah. She's my stepsister. It's a long story," he answered.

"Oh. She's here because?"

"2Mi will perform, too."

2Mi? Pati si Mia?

I was about to ask him more per tinawag na sila.

I watched them perform. They're really great, especially their vocals. Dy, Tim, and Justin have different appeal so walang sapawan na nagaganap. They're equally talented. I just really like Justin so much kaya nasa kanya ang atensyon ko.

🍑🍒

"Hey, Aerielle," Simon approached me when I was on my way to U's waiting room. He's with three people.

"Uy."

"This is Xenon, Yvan, and Derick," pakilala nya sa mga kasama.

"Hello sa inyo," I shyly smiled at them.

"You're Ju– ouch," Xenon was about to say something but Yvan pinched him.

"You're so nosy," Derick said to Xenon.

"Ah mauna na 'ko. Baka hinahanap na ako do'n," paalam ko.

"Sige, Ae. It's nice meeting you again."

"It's nice meeting you again, too, Simon. And I'm glad to meet you three, too. Have a nice day," sabi ko at umalis na.

Pagbukas ko ng pinto, hindi ko alam kung dapat pa ba akong pumasok o dapat umalis na?

Justin was there. Si Mia rin. I already expected this since I was well aware na nandito sya. But seeing it first hand, I never knew it would hurt.

I chose to open the door and enter as quiet as possible. May ibang tao naman bukod sa kanila so ayos lang siguro. Justin looked at my way and tried to search for my gaze. I avoided it. Five more minutes passed bago umalis si Mia.

"Balikan ba?" a staff teased.

"You two look so in love. Ewan ko ba sa inyo. Tanggap naman kayo ng fans kaya bakit pa naghiwalay?" hirit pa ng isa.

I tried to let those words in at my left ear, then out at my right ear. But their words are like a broken cassette in my mind.