"How's the kids? Sinong nagbabantay sa kanila?"
"Don't worry, Jen's there."
"Siya na naman ang bantay ng mga bata? I thought she had work to do?"
"Ayaw magpapigil e. She loves the kids so much. Pampawala raw ng stress niya."
"Really, huh? O baka mamaya gusto niya pa rin 'yang kakambal mo at hinihintay niya lang dumating?" She can't stop herself from chuckling. Rin made no comment on that, instead she focused her attention on the stage where Aki and her friend is performing. "Tss. Baka naman nagseselos ka lang? May gusto ka ata kay Jen e." Inirapan lang siya nito na ikinatawa niya naman.
"I like her." Agad siyang napalingon sa katabi na nakatingin na rin sa entablado. "Wha- who? Jen?!"
"Anak ka ng- hindi! Kadiri ka naman! Kilabutan ka naman sa sinasabi mo oy!"Nagkunwari pa itong nasusuka na ikinatawa niya naman.
"Then who?" Inginuso nito ang entablado kaya doon naman siya napabaling. "Aki? Or Shapi?" Toffer's eyes twinkle as he smiles brightly. He looks stupid.
She suddenly remembered when she met Toffer abroad. He is really the genius and mysterious type of guy before... well before. Halos hindi niya kasi ito makausap nang maayos noon dahil puro tango at iling lang ang alam nito. Pero ngayon halos hindi na niya mabilang ang lumalabas na salita mula sa bibig nito sa loob ng isang minuto. Thanks to her best friend, Jen.
"Aki."
"Hmm." Aki's pretty and kind but... She shrugged at Toffer, causing him to look at her.
"Why? You don't like her for me?" Kunot-noong tanong sa kaniya ni Toffer. "She looks lovely! She's pretty, shy, talented, and kind. Who wouldn't like her?"
"She has a boyfriend though." Maliit na boses niyang tugon sa katabi.
"You mean your ex? The father-"
"Shut up!" She hissed at Toffer, making him laugh.
"Let's have a deal." Seryosong sambit ni Toffer habang nakataas ang isang kilay nito.
"What?" She asked as she is curious about his idea.
"Take your ex back para sa akin na si Aki." He smiled wryly. Agad niyang kinurot ang braso ng kaibigan nang marinig ang suhestiyon nito.
"You're crazy!" Pabulong niyang sigaw. "Ikain mo 'yan, gutom lang 'yan." He pinched her cheek as he laughed at her reaction.
"Let go!" Hinampas niya ang braso ng kaibigan para bitawan ang kaniyang pisngi. He immediately let go of her cheeks as soon as he noticed Aki's gaze on them. Agad na napailing si Aerin sa kahibangan ng kaibigan.
While looking around, she unintentionally met the gaze of the person who has been occupying her mind for the past years.
The first time she sees him after she returns, he's a completely different person than the man she used to love. He's cold, snobbish, and almost always irritable. She thought she'd lost him forever, but as the months passed, she saw glimmers of hope. Pag-asa na mapanakit. Hindi lamang para sa kaniyang sarili at sa minamahal, kung hindi para na rin sa isang inosenteng babae na walang kaalam-alam.
Muli niyang ibinalik ang titig sa entablado at ipinako na lamang doon ang paningin hanggang sa matapos ang buong kanta.
I love Ash, but I can't just hurt Aki. I can tell she genuinely loves him. I can't take her smile off her face; she's so nice and kind... And she is unlikely to give up him as I did. She smiled bitterly at that thought.
