When A Heroine Has Fallen (Zaldariaga Series #1)

Kabanata 16

Kabanata 16:
Suitor

Sunod sunod akong napalunok sa tanong niya. Bumagsak ang tingin ko sa sapatos ko. I bow down my head to hide my expression so I can't hurt Zed.

I closed my eyes, my answer is already in the end of my tongue. But I can't voice it out because I'm thinking of another way how to said it to him in a good way to lessen the pain that will inflict him after.

Pero kahit siguro sa kahit anong tono o paraan, parehas lang naman iyon at masasaktan pa rin siya. I heaved a sigh. He's patiently waiting for my answer. Na parang ayaw kong ibigay.

When I get all the strength on my body, I slowly raised my head and look at his eyes. I smiled sadly and his smile faded a bit.

"Z-Zed, I'm sorry." I said and I immediately regret and felt guilty when the smile faded on his lips.

Tumitig siya sa akin ng ilang segundo. Hinintay ko ang magiging reaksiyon niya. Habang may malungkot na ekspresyon. Natahimik ang mga tao na nananood sa amin. I can see a familiar frame in my peripheral vision that's also looking at us.

I sucked a breath when I recognized it's Khalil. Kahit nagulat ay pilit kong tinuon ang atensiyon kay Zed na nasa harap ko.

Dahan dahan siyang tumango at sunod sunod na napalunok. Then I saw his eyes glistened.

"Naiintindihan ko, Suli." marahan niyang sinabi pero sa dulo noon ay may nginig. Humigpit ang hawak ko sa mga bulaklak.

"P-Pasensiya ka na talaga Zed. H-Hindi ko gustong sagutin iyon sa ganitong paraan."

"You don't need to be sorry. I plan this so I should face the possibility of what will happen." he tried to smile at me but he failed. He gasped and relocated to his stance. I can see the tears in the corner of his eyes, that gives me a heavy feelings in my chest.

Hindi na ako nakapagsalita roon.

"Uh can I know the reason why? I really like you Suli. I really do. I never like a girl like this before. I w-want to know why?" marahan ang pagkakabigkas niya ng mga salita. I can sense the shaking of his voice now. Lumamlam ang mga mata ko.

"You'll hurt yourself more." mahina at sobrang dahan dahan kong sinabi. He nodded.

"I'm okay, I'll handle it. Don't worry Suli." he gave me a weak smile. I'm doubting his answer. I bow down my head.

"Are you sure?"

He didn't speak, he just keep looking at me.

"I already like someone else, Zed." I said in my all honesty. Yinuko ko na ang ulo ko ngayon dahil ayokong makita ang reaksiyon niya. Sigurado akong masasaktan ko siya sa sagot kong iyon. Na ayokong mangyari pero wala akong pagpipilian para sabihin sa kanya.

"Si Khalil?" sobrang hina niyang sinabi pero dahil malapit lamang kami sa isa't-isa ay nagawa ko iyong marinig. Iyon naman talaga ang taong gusto ko, pero natigilan pa rin ako ng marinig iyon sa kanya.

I slowly nodded my head, I glance at Khalil side but I gasped when his frame was not anymore on that place. Kinabahan ako.

I don't want to break Zed's heart, but I don't want to lost Khalil.

"Bakit siya Suli?" dahan dahan akong lumingon kay Zed sa tanong niya na iyon.

"Bakit hindi ako Zed?" kaso hindi ko na nagawa pang buksan ang mga labi ko ng marinig ang pamilyar na tinig na iyon mula sa likod. His voice sent shivers down my spine and my lungs suddenly malfunctioned.

I can feel his presence behind that making me at ease, and his shadow that dominate mine effortlessly.

Tumalim ang tingin ni Zed sa lalaki na nasa likod ko ngayon. In feeling his presence, and sniffing his perfume I immediately recognized who's the man behind me.

The man that I really like.

"Don't meddle with this Khalil. We're still talking."

"You're taking a move in the girl I'm pursuing Zed, what do you think I will do? Don't be bothered and relax on witnessing this?" Khalil said sarcastically. I heard gasped and whispers from the crowd. Nagtangis ang bagang ni Zed.

Umawang ang labi ko sa gulat.

"Ako ang nauna sa kanya, nakisali ka lang! Kasi gusto mong kuhanin ang lahat sa akin!" namilog ang mga mata ko sa pagtaas ng boses ni Zed. Naramdaman niya ang reaksiyon ko kaya mabilis siyang huminahon. Napapaikit siya ng mariin.

He muttered a low cursed under his breath.

"I'm sorry Suli." he said softly.

"I'm not stealing her to you, because she's not belong to you to begin with." Khalil said sternly.

"Because what? You want to top everything? You had the best MVP award, you're the best player, you're the most valuable player, you're the representative of the school for the youth team tournament for the nationals! And now you want to steal Suli from me!"

"It's not my fault if she choose me over you. Losing everything to me, means you're weak Zed." nalaglag ang panga ko sa sagot ni Khalil.

"Khalil!" napasinghap ako sa naging sagot niya at hinarap siya. But I almost flinched when I saw his so dark and menacing eyes. His expression was hard.

"Fuck you Khalil! Let go of Suli! You doesn't know anything about pursuing! You're just power tripping to defeat me!"

"Right, I don't know anything about courtship but I know better not to put a pressure to the girl just to ask if I can court her." mariin na bawi ni Khalil. Napatulala ako sa kanya ng marinig iyon.

Zed look stunned. Khalil's jaw clenched and he hold my wrist. Mabilis akong nanghina sa hawak niya.

"Akin siya. Ako ang unang kumilos pero inaagaw mo ngayon." Zed retorted.

Khalil scowled.

"That was what you thought. I'm the first one who caught her eyes. Bago mo pa siya makita sa gymnasium, nahulog na agad siya sa akin." I lost the ability to think straight when Khalil drop those words.

"You ignored her! I'm the one who make the move! Tangina Khalil! You don't know how to play sport!"

"Before you even build your fence I already chained her to my hold. Wala kang binabakuran rito Zed, dahil naangkin ko na." then Khalil pulled me with him and turned his back.

Nanghihina na ako kaya kusang napatianod ang katawan ko sa paghila niya.

I was in a dazed.

"Khalil! Gago ka!" si Zed na ramdam ko ang galit sa pagtawag sa kanya noon. I turned to him and I saw the pain in his eyes when our eyes met. I look at him apologetically.

Malalaki ang hakbang ni Khalil na mabilis kaming nakalayo kay Zed. Agad siyang nilapitan ng mga kasama niya.

Kitang kita ko ang pagkabigo sa ekspresyon niya.

"Khalil I should say sorry to Zed. Saan mo ako dadalhin?"

"Don't fucking mention his name. Dadalhin kita sa lugar kung saan wala siya." nagbabaga ang mga mata niya sa galit. His jaw tenses.  I flinch a bit on that. Mariin ang pagkakahawak niya sa palapulsuhan ko pero hindi naman ako nasasaktan roon.

"Suli---" napalingon ako sa nagsalita at nakita ang nag-aalala na si Raycel. She gasped harshly and her expression changed in a snap when her eyes landed on Khalil's hand on my wrist. She wiggled her eyebrows at me meaningfully.

"Uh nevermind." then she wink at me and turn her back.

She left my mouth hanging at disbelief. My phone beep and I saw Raycel's message.

Raycel:

Save the story later.

Hindi ako makapaniwala sa ginawa niya. Hindi naman naalintana roon si Khalil. Nagpatuloy siya sa paghatak sa akin at nakarating kami sa sasakyan niya. He open the door for me.

"S-Saan tayo pupunta?"

"Just get in, Suli." ramdam ko pa rin ang galit sa tono niya. Sumuko na lang ako at sinunod siya para hindi na humaba pa ang usapan. I climb inside his car and I wait for him to sit on the driver seat. He start the engine and we're both silent as he drive.

The silence is deafening that my thumping heart is breaking it. I still feel bad for rejecting Zed. I can't believe still that he really likes me. I thought he's just being kind to me. Kaya sobrang bigat din sa akin na ganoon ang nangyari.

He never done something bad towards me, he's always nice and yet I hurt him in return. I hope he'll forgive me. I don't want to held any grudge towards him. He's my friend.

We went into a subdivision, kinabahan tuloy ako. Pupunta ba kami sa bahay nila?

I was starting to get cold. Hindi ako handa para dito. Hindi niya man lang ako sinasabihan. But my nervous faded when we stop in an open court.

He step outside then he open the door for me. May kinuha siyang bola sa back seat. He's still wearing his jersey shirt too. May training sila ngayong araw at ang balak ay susunod na lang ako. Hanggang mamayang gabi pa iyon pero ito kaming dalawa ngayon at wala roon.

The court was empty and there's no one's here. Bahagyang malayo ang court sa mga kabahayan sa subdivision pero hindi naman ito nakakatakot.

"Let's take a bet."

"What?" kumunot ang noo ko sa biglaan niyang sinabi.

"We'll play basketball." he said and I arch a brow.

"The first one who'll have a nine points will win. If you win, you'll answer my question if I can court you, if I win, I'll become your suitor after this game." I was taken aback at his words. Kaso hindi siya nagbibigay atensiyon sa reaksiyon ko.

"Parang parehas lang naman ang pagpipilian?" tanong ko.

He didn't speak about it. Tumitig ako sa kanya. Parang kahit matalo o manalo ako parehas pa rin ng kahahantungan.

What crossed his mind to ask me a bet regarding playing basketball? Is he mocking me? Knowing that he's an ace and skillful basketball player and I'm nothing compared to him, make me conclude the outcome of this bet.

I think he brought me where to set his trap.

Hmm, do you think you'll caught me Khalil?

"Bilog ang bola." aniya na para bang nabasa ang iniisip ko.

"May bola bang parisukat?" balik ko pero hindi niya ako pinakinggan.

He started to walk in the court and dribble the ball towards the center part. Bigla akong nabahala, kahit dribble hindi ako masyadong magaling.

"Deal?" tanong niya ng nilingon ako nang mahinto sa gitna.

"Deal. Let's do this." I said and steps towards him. Hindi ko alam kung anong sinasabi ko.

Naisip ko na may pagkakaiba rin pala ang kahahantungan nito. Kapag nanalo ako, may karapatan akong magdesisyon tungkol sa tanong niya. Kapag natalo, he will be automatically my suitor.

My heart took a sudden leap on that thought.

"You'll have the first possession." aniya at binigay sa akin ang bola.

"We doesn't have a referee." tumaas ang kilay niya sa akin.

"We both know the rules."

"But what if you're bluffing?"

"Do you think I'll use a dirty way to get you?" I lost my tongue on his question. Nag-init ang pisngi ko roon.

"Okay." I said and tried to dribbled the ball. My cheeks flushed when I make it bounce twice but it hit my foot that it roll down back to him.

His lips twitched as he give the ball back to me. Ngayon Suli, tama ba ang pagdedesisyon mo rito? Para akong sasabak sa gera na pamatpat ang dala habang si Khalil ay kanyon. Huminga ako ng malalim, I dribbled the ball again and I succeed on making a consistent bouncing.

Seryoso ang eskpresyon ni Khalil at hindi ko mabasa kung ano ang tumatakbo sa isip niya ngayon.

Now, I dribbled the ball... hindi ko na alam kung ano ang susunod na gagawin. Should I walk now? Pero pakiramdam ko hindi sasama sa akin ang bola kapag naglakad ako.

A move crossed my mind. Bahala na.

I don't know if Khalil is really mocking me that he doesn't lift his arms to guard me. I want to scoffed but this is just a friendly game.

Nagsimula na akong maglakakad at sa kabutihang palad ay sumama ang bola sa akin. Humakbang si Khalil sa harap ko. Parang tamad pa sa pagkilos.

Minamaliit niya talaga ako.

So I stop dribbling and hold the ball, I make a one step in front and he did too. Then, I made a side step and before he can even made one, ay tumakbo ako patungo sa court nang nagdridribble at pinilit kong maging mabilis dahil parang kisap mata ang kilos ni Khalil.

I lift my hands to shoot the ball when I am already near in the ring, I look at it and I gasped in disbelief when it fall to the net!

I made the first point! Gulat pa ako sa ginawa.

"You're good huh." napalingon ako kay Khalil nang sabihin iyon. Ngumisi ako sa kanya.

Wala akong pakialam kung pinagbigyan niya ako roon.

"Tinuruan ako ni Zed eh." sabi ko ng taas ang noo sa kanya. Mabilis lang akong natigilan ng mapagtanto kung ano ang nasabi ko. Halos matutop ko ang labi pero huli na ang lahat.

Nalukot ang mukha ni Khalil. Naging madilim at matalim ang mga mata niya. A scowl is etched on his face suddenly.

"Right." he said sarcastically.

"Uh--"

"Let's continue." he halted me. Then he turned his back. Nakaawang pa ang labi ko ng magsimula siyang mag dribble.

I watch him. Binalot kami ng saglit na katahimikan.

"Paano nga pala ang scoring natin?"

"The two points in the usual basketball game will be only one point on us and the three points will be two." aniya. Kung ganoon ay one point pa lang pala ang nagagawa ko. Sobrang layo pa para manalo.

I nodded my head and his presence turn dead serious now. Ito iyong ekspresyon niya sa paglalaro. Bakit ginagamit niya sa akin?

He seems so serious about this.

He started to dribble effortlessly, tinaas ko ang mga kamay ko para bantayan siya. He move forward and I gasped when I took steps behind. Damn, parang hinahayaan ko siya sa gusto niya.

Hindi makakatakas sa akin ang pagngisi niya. He immediately shoot the ball and I was too late to even stop him. Nasa three point line pa naman kami. Tinignan ko ang bola at huminga na lang ng malalim ng swabe iyong pumasok.

Ano pa bang inaasahan ko?

"Let's found out who's better, your coach or me?" he said in his serious tone with a hint of sarcasm.

I bit my lower lip.

Kung ganoon ay lamang na agad siya sa loob lamang ng kisap mata.

Sa sumunod ay naagaw niya sa akin ang bola dahil tumama muli iyon sa paa ko habang nagdri-dribble, he scored one point. Tapos ako muli, at milagro na nagawa kong makapagshoot sa three point line.

We're tied at 3.

Kaso mabilis nabura ang pagkakatabla ng magkasunod siyang nakapag shoot sa three point line.

My shoulder fell down when I'm stuck at three and he's 7 now. Dalawa na lang at mananalo na siya.

I'm panting to breathe. Habang siya ay hindi man lang pinagpapawisan. The stamina of the real athlete huh.

Ako na ngayon ang may hawak ng bola. Isang pagkakamali ko lang at kapag hinayaan kong makawala ito sa akin ay wala na ang lahat. But I wonder if I'll lost anything if I'll lost in this bet?

I came back to reality when I heard the dribble of the ball in the ground. Naging mas seryoso ang ekspresyon ko. I can heard the drumming sounds of my heartbeat.

Aabante na sana ako kaso bahagyang nalakihan ko ang hakbang sa gilid kaya napalayo sa kamay ko ang bola. Suminghap ako at akmang tatapikin iyon ni Khalil, but I immediately get back my possesion.

Nang makuha ang bola ay tumakbo ako patungo sa ring habang siya ay nasa gilid ko. I lift the ball and he was fast to lift his hands too to block me... and he did! Natapik niya ang bola na nag-iba ang direksiyon noon!

Dahil mas matangkad siya sa akin ay mabilis niyang nakuha iyon sa ere. Tumakbo siya patungo sa three point line habang ako ay hinihingal pa at hindi na kayang sabayan ang bilis niya.

He dribbled the ball and he even glance at me before releasing it.

"You won't let anyone court you but only me, Suli. Ako lang ang babakod sayo."

Kumalabog ang puso ko habang nasa ere ang bola, hindi ko alam kung anong magiging reaksiyon ko sa resulta. Iyong salita niya pinal at sigurado na para bang alam niyang papasok talaga iyon.

Hindi siya nagkamali, the ball even roll over the circle metal before it landed on the net.

Napasapo na lang ako sa tuhod habang nagtataas baba ang dibdib dahil sa sobrang paghahabol ng hininga. I heard the bouncing sound of the ball and his footsteps. Saglit akong napapikit.

My pulse speed up, not only because of the basketball game but because of waiting too for his declaration that he win this bet.

"I'll be your suitor now Suli. Prepare yourself for taking my own ways of courtship." my stomach flips over on his words. Nagwindang ang mga paru-paro sa tiyan ko.

I was tongue tied and I can't absorb his declaration. I can't breathe and motionless.

After the game, we climb back to the car. Hindi pa rin ako makapagsalita. Kung kanina ay nakakakilos ako nang katabi si Khalil ngayon halos ipilit ko ang bawat parte ng katawan ko.

I can't believe that he's my suitor now.

Is this really for real?

I can't find my sanity to answer my own question. Para akong lumulutang. Hindi ako makapaniwala. I can't even had a conversation to him before. He's too far away to reach. It even make me feel so impossible to get him.

He's always cold and snob. Pero ang suplado na ito, manliligaw ko na ngayon.

That idea is making me feel a tickling sensation in my tummy and making my cheeks burned.

"Hihinto muna tayo sa bahay saglit." napalingon ako sa kanya sa sinabi na iyon at bahagya pang napatalon dahil nasa kalagitnaan ako ng pagproseso ng lahat ng ito.

Wala ako sa wisyong napatango, sumulyap siya sa akin at kumislot ang labi niya. Para bang nangingisi pero pinipigilan niya lang.

"Are you okay?" he ask with a hint of smirk.

"I'm o-okay." sagot ko. I frown when I can't see the scowl that is etched on his face. It was vanish now. Hindi na rin ganoon kadilim ang mga mata niya. Ang intensidad rin ay nabawasan, pero nanatili iyong madilim sa magaan na paraan.

Sa tingin ko mukhang nawala na ang pagkabadtrip at galit niya. Dahil ba nanalo siya sa akin?

Huminto kami sa isang bahay at pinark ni Khalil ang sasakyan sa gilid noon. Bakit kami narito? May sinabi ba siyang hihinto kami?

"Bahay niyo ba 'to?" tanong ko nang makababa sa sasakyan pagkatapos niya akong pagbukasan. He wrinkled his forehead.

"I told you that we will stop in our house for minutes." marahas akong napasinghap sa sinabi niya.

"This is your house?!" I said in surprise. Hindi ko alam na may sinabi ba talaga siya dahil lutang ako. Now that I absorb it, my feet was stuck in the ground. I can feel a cold sensation embracing my whole body. Kinabahan ako bigla.

Khalil let out a chuckle.

"Don't worry, Papa is the only one who's here. Siya lang ang makakaharap mo kaya hindi ka dapat kabahan." pero mas lalo lang akong nanlamig roon.

I can't still help it! Ito ang kauna-unahang beses na haharap ako sa pamilya niya o Papa niya! Hindi ako handa para dito! Bakit kasi biglaan pa!

Khalil never failed to make me surprise on his unexpected moves.

"Will it be okay to him that I'm here?" his brows furrowed.

"Of course. Why wouldn't he won't like it? You're the girl I'm pursuing. Dad will welcome you. C'mon." he said and hold my wrist. I feel a friction on our skin contact, pero mabuti na rin na hawakan niya ako at hatakin sa kanya dahil hindi ko magawang makapaglakad.

"Are you thirsty?" he ask as we walk towards their house. It was two-storey and huge. May malawak na tarangkahan na pinapalibutan ng kulay abong metal na bakod na lagpas tao ang taas.

"Hmm." I nodded. I can feel my voice shaking. Kahit ba sabihin ni Khalil na Papa niya lang ang nasa loob. Nakakakaba pa rin.

There were scattered bermuda grass in their whole garden and a fountain in the side. The house was so modern and with the bit touch of French style. The glass windows is eye catching, and the organize plants in the sides was alluring to the eyes.

Pumasok kami sa loob ni Khalil at halos mahiya pa akong itapak ang sapatos ko sa sobrang linis na puting marmol na sahig. Nakikita ko nga ang repleksiyon ko roon. I've never been into a fancy house before so I am in awe as my eyes landed to the fascinating and breathtaking interior design.

My eyes landed in the different furnitures that for sure cost a fortune. Bawat gamit na naroon ay organisado at nasa tamang puwesto. I feel like I'm in a fancy hotel on seeing the chandeliers dangling above us.

The style of the ceiling is not common, it was complicated and amazing. Pagkapasok ay makikita agad ang iba't-ibang parte ng bahay, lalo na ang engrandeng hagdanan.

I suddenly taste a kick of bitterness in my tongue. I suddenly feel small and low compared to Khalil. I feel like I shouldn't step here inside. Pakiramdam ko hindi ako nababagay rito. Para bang mali na pasukin ko ito kahit na ba hinila ako ni Khalil patungo rito.

My sanity went back to my body when Khalil slightly squeezed my wrist. Nasa kitchen na kami. Iginaya niya ako sa bar counter at pinaupo sa isang high chair na naroon.

Tahimik akong umupo. Pagkainom ay yayain ko na siyang umalis. Sa tingin ko ay mali na magtagal rito.

"What do you want to drink? Water, juice, softfrink?" he ask me softly. I'm holding the towel he gave me a while ago to wipe my sweats. Kaya sa tingin ko ay kumapit na rin sa akin ang amoy ng perfume niya na nasa towel. Humigpit ang hawak ko roon.

"Water na lang." I said and he nodded.

"I'll get it for you." marahan niyang sinabi at iniwan muna ako roon. Tumango ako. Nilagay ko naman ang daliri ko sa counter at pinaglaruan iyon. I look at their kitchen. Maganda at maayos rin iyon.

Sanay siya na makakita ng ganitong ka eleganteng tanawin sa araw-araw, kaya ano kayang iniisip niya noong nasa bahay namin? Walang wala iyon kumpara rito.

I heard foot steps from the back door of the kitchen na papalapit rito. Hindi ko alam kung sino kaya napaayos ako ng upo. Si Khalil ay ilang hakbang ang layo sa akin at kaharap ang ref. I heaved a sigh.

"Khalil?" I heard a deep baritone voice. Nakita ko ang anino na papalapit rito sa puwesto ko at sunod sunod akong napalunok.

A tall muscular man enter the kitchen, his eyes immediately landed on me. My body stilled when I recognized him as Khalil's father because his features was exactly same as his son.

I don't know how to greet him or what should I say.

I cleared my throat and I was about to introduce myself when I flinhed when he gasped harshly and his eyes widen in complete shock. He look flabbergasted and in disbelief. His jaw dropped.

"W-What are you doing here?" sa gulat niyang tono sinabi.

Napatayo tuloy ako sa kaba at hinawakan ang towel ni Khalil habang nakatingin sa kanya. Natulos ako sa kinatatayuan.

"Papa?" Khalil ask in confuse tone. Narinig ko ang hakbang niya papalit. His father didn't even blink as he stared at me. Hindi ko maintindihan kung bakit ganoon ang reaksiyon niya.

Naramdaman ko na si Khalil na mabilis hinawakan ang bewang ko.

"What happened?" his eyes were dark as he look at me. Examining my face. Nilapag niya ang pitsel ng tubig sa counter, at ang bote ng coke roon.

Hindi ako nakapagsalita sa kaba dahil baka hindi ako gustong makita ng Papa niya rito kaya ganoon ang reaksiyon. Bumaling siya sa Papa niya.

"What did you do Pa?" seryoso ang tono niya ng tanungin iyon. His father eyes landed on Khalil's hand on my waist. He blink a couple of times. I bow down my head.

"Who is she?"

"Nililigawan ko po. Bakit tinakot niyo?" namilog ang mga mata ko sa naging sagot ni Khalil. His father gasped but it's a bit calm now. Mukhang nakabawi na rin siya sa nangyari at mahinahon na rin ngayon pero nanatili ang titig sa akin.

"N-Nililigawan?"

"Yeah, she's Suli, Soliesse Laquisha Hallarces, Pa." his father mouth formed into O and then his eyes turn serious. He nodded. Para bang naiintindihan na ang lahat ng nangyayari.

"Hallarces." he breath then nodded again.

"Suli, This is Papa. Kyiel Zaldariaga." pagpapakilala niya sa akin at nahihiya pa ako na harapin ang Papa niya.

"Uh, magandang hapon po." dahan dahan kong sinabi. He smiled at me, the shock in his expression were vanish now.

"Pasensiya ka na hija sa nangyari. I'm just... surprise." he look at me apologetically. Ngumiti rin naman ako habang si Khalil ay nanatili ang seryosong tingin. He heaved a sigh. A current of electricity travel through my body when he caress my small back.

"Bakit ka ba gulat na gulat Pa? You look like you seen a ghost." inalalayan na muli ako ni Khalil na makaupo at hindi ko alam kung bakit mataman ang panood sa amin ng Papa niya. 

"I'm sorry, I thought.... nevermind." umiling ang Papa niya. Muling ngumiti sa amin.

Khalil open the nachos container. He put a lot of cheese. Binuksan niya rin ang box ng pizza. He get a one slice for me. Tinanggap ko iyon. Naiilang ako dahil nakaupo siya sa tabi ko pero pagtagilid ang upo para maharap ako, habang nanood sa amin ang Papa niya.

Pinagsalin ako ni Khalil ng tubig sa baso. I take and drink it.

"Eat." Khalil said and I nodded. Kinagat ko ang pizza at nag-iwas ako ng tingin sa kanya dahil nanood siya sa akin.

My cheeks flushed. Mukha namang mabait ang Papa ni Khalil. They have the same features but his was soft. He looks like an angel. It's giving me a nostalgic feeling seeming him, para bang nakita ko na dati.

"Maiwan ko na kayong dalawa. Enjoy your stay." then he look at Khalil who nodded his head. Marahan naman akong ngumiti bago niya kami talikuran. Sumulyap pa sa amin bago tuluyang umalis.

"How's it? Do you like it?" si Khalil at napalingon ako sa kanya. I'm licking the excess cheese on the side of my lips.

"Masarap."

"Mas masarap sa labi ko?" he ask and my eyes widen. I gasped and he let out a chuckle. Halos masamid ako sa sinabi niya.

"You're driving me crazy."

"Then we're even because your making me insane."