I knocked on Eury's condo door continuously. The doorbell wasn't working, or maybe I broke it from pressing it too much.I also forgot the last number of her password, so I couldn't open her condo. Even though my condo was right next to hers, I preferred to sleep here at her place.I stopped knocking because I realized she might not be inside her condo. She might have gone out or hasn't come home yet.I sighed and took out my low-battery cellphone from my pocket, unable to call her. I sat on the doorstep and threw my phone in front of me, hoping for a miracle that it would turn on."Just when I need you, you're not here, Eury," I sadly said and lowered my head.I was startled when I saw two pairs of shoes in front of me. The person picked up my thrown cellphone and handed it to me. I followed the hand to the person's face and was stunned.I hesitated whether to take it or not because I still felt awkward after what happened earlier."Take your phone, it looks expensive, and you're jus
"Didn't you say before in the office where I first saw you that you are from the province?" I asked curiously.He nodded, "My mom took me to the province when there was a problem, and that was the last time I saw her. And until now, she still doesn't remember me," he sadly replied.I felt pity for him, and at the same time, I was also saddened. I don't know why."But it's better that she doesn't remember me and her past. She might not be able to forgive me if she finds out everything," he said sadly."Poor you," I replied softly.I couldn't say anything because I didn't know how to comfort him. I'm used to being the one who is comforted.When I finished my ice cream, I was surprised when his hand suddenly touched the side of my lips. I was taken aback by what he did."You're so messy eating ice cream," he said, laughing.I just scowled at him, but the truth is, I was feeling thrilled.We fell silent again."I thought you were in the province with your family? Eury mentioned it earlier
"When I stepped out of my condo, I found Taniel standing in front of it, dressed in his uniform. We locked eyes, but I was the first to look away."Good morning," he greeted cheerfully."Good morning too," I replied while searching for something in my bag."Are you heading out?" he asked."Yes," I answered without looking at him."Shall we go together?" he offered."Ah..." I couldn't finish what I was about to say as he suddenly grabbed my hand and pulled me towards the elevator.His actions caught me off guard. Once we entered the elevator, he still didn't let go of my hand, but luckily, I found my car keys in my bag.I felt extremely awkward about what he was doing. But he seemed accustomed to it, even though we had just met.As soon as the elevator doors opened, my phone rang. I let go of Taniel's hand and answered the call from my dad. Despite feeling a bit upset with Taniel, I still answered my dad's calls."Where are you? I'm here at your place," my dad said in a gentle voice."
"Why?" Taniel asked."Are you okay?" he asked again.I just stared at him, and as I stared, my chest tightened."Adah? Hey, say something. Is something hurting you?" he asked with concern."Are you the missing part of my life?" I weakly asked him.He paused and we locked eyes. I could see in his eyes that he had something to say."You're saying all these things to me, and it's making my heart race," he jokingly said.I didn't speak, I just kept looking at him."I just met you, and you're saying all these things to me. Are you trying to make me fall for you?" he teased again.I shrugged my shoulders and turned my gaze away from him."Sorry, I should go first," I said and stood up, grabbing my things and leaving without waiting for him to say anything more.As I walked away from the library, I stopped for a moment and took a deep breath. When I closed my eyes, the tears I had been holding back finally fell."Adah," Eury called out from behind me.I wiped the tears from my cheeks, took a
"Adah, the meat is burning," Eury shouted at me.I panicked, but when I looked at the meat I was grilling, it wasn't cooked yet. I heard her laughter, so I glared at her.Jerwin and Taniel were not around when I woke up; they said they were looking for firewood. Luckily, Eury wasn't there when I woke up because I didn't know what to say to her."Hey, what happened to you? You've been lost in thought and out of it," Eury said as she approached me."Nothing, I'm just still sleepy," I made an excuse."I know you," she said seriously.I just glared at her and turned away, grabbing more meat from the table to grill."They're here," she said cheerfully.I quickly turned around, but I only saw Eury with a smile on her face, as if mocking me."I knew it! You're in love with Taniel," she teased me."No!" I replied, turning away from her, feeling my cheeks turning red again.She just laughed at my response."Adah, Taniel is here," she said with amusement.But I still ignored her, choosing which
He looked at me with his sweet smile on his lips. My eyes widened as he brought his face closer to mine.'I don't have a girlfriend, want to apply?' he said with a smile.I looked into his eyes, then lowered my gaze to his nose and further down to his smiling lips. I bit my lip while staring at his lips.His face kept getting closer to mine, but I didn't flinch. I was waiting for him to come closer and closer.But I snapped out of it and quickly stood up. However, he pulled me back down and did something unexpected. He kissed me. At first, my eyes widened in surprise.I had been waiting for this, so I kissed him back. I closed my eyes as we kissed. He kissed me with care and respect.While my eyes were closed, a flashback came to mind. A man and a woman were doing the exact same thing we were doing now. Their love for each other was evident in every kiss.I pushed him away in my mind to see who the woman was, and it was Taniel whom the woman in my flashback had kissed. I couldn't see
"You're so cute when you're blushing," he said with a smile.I glared at him and covered my face. But I quickly turned to face him."You're getting used to stealing kisses from me! I'll really report you..." I couldn't finish what I was about to say because he kissed my lips again."You'll report me?" he asked, then kissed me again."Go ahead," he said and kissed me again."I'll make the most of it," he said and kissed me again.I wanted to complain, but I couldn't speak or move. I just stared at him, he looked so handsome when he smiled widely, as if he had won a contest.He was about to kiss me again, but I covered my lips, which made him laugh."I thought you were enjoying it too," he joked."You!" I angrily said."Oh, why me?" he asked.I came up with an idea to get back at him. I quickly removed my hand covering my lips and stole a kiss from him, but before separating my lips from his, I bit him and then ran out of the tent."Ouch!" I heard him groan from inside the tent.I laugh
"Adah, are you okay?" Eury asked me.She was in front of me, and we were currently in the canteen."You've been staring off into space since this morning. What happened between you and Taniel last night?" she asked.I just shook my head in response.When I woke up, Taniel was no longer by my side. He had gone home earlier because of an emergency.He should have woken me up and said goodbye. I wouldn't have been angry.I let out a sigh.How important was that emergency of his that he didn't come to class today? He was absent because of that damn emergency.And I miss him!Why didn't he even say goodbye to me?Am I already his girlfriend for him to inform me?But we don't even have that, I sighed again."Adah, the can," Eury interrupted my thoughts.I looked at the can in my hand, realizing that I was squeezing it tightly. I threw the can on the table and stood up."Hey, I'm not done eating yet, Adah. Where are we going?" she asked, standing up as well."Stay, I want to be alone for a w
Ate let my straight hair down. She was busy fixing my eyelids and lightly applying blush on my cheeks."I'll put those earrings on, alright? It'll enhance your beauty," she said.I nodded slowly and didn't complain. I wasn't used to wearing jewelry on my body. I feel uncomfortable with those things. I don't know why.She smiled and then applied pink lipstick to my lips. I parted my mouth and closed my eyes."Finished. Stand up, lady. Let me see the result," she happily said.I grinned and gave her a confident aura. She winked and clapped."You look really beautiful," she exclaimed.I looked at the mirror to see myself. I wore a red sleeveless dress that suited my fair complexion. With a smile, I gently touched my face and couldn't believe what I saw. Only a few things were done by Ate, but why? It seemed like I became more beautiful."Yes, I am beautiful!" I exclaimed and winked.She handed me her black clutch bag."It matches your outfit," she said with a hint of joy.I accepted it.
I slowly got uncomfortable with his presence. "What brought you here?" I sheepishly asked. After he called me, I immediately said goodbye to Benjie and Lavly. Though they seemed puzzled, they allowed me to leave. Actually, Benjie even drove me back to Manila. I'm really thankful to them for trusting me, at least to some extent.He just shrugged off my question. I carefully placed my bag down and approached him. "Where's Pa?" I wryly asked. A tray with snacks was already set on the small, fragile table between us."I'm glad you're here! I just need your company tonight," he muttered. I rested my elbow on the armrest of the sofa and messily ran my fingers through my hair."You need me tonight? And then what am I supposed to do there?" I skeptically asked him. He was wearing tokong-shorts and a fitted white polo shirt, resembling a model from famous magazines."Be my date," he casually replied."Why me? I have a lot to do right now. You're insane," I said through gritted teeth.With his
"You're late." I almost swallowed all my saliva when he started speaking.He pretended to sit on the mahogany chair and it was obvious that he had just arrived. He was wearing a black long-sleeve shirt with a necktie and black slacks. His physique was even more pronounced. He looked at me seriously from head to toe.I raised an eyebrow."Have a seat! Why are you late?" he coughed.I avoided looking at him and quietly sat on an empty chair.I glanced at him again and rolled my eyes. He silently read the menu placed on the table."What do you want?" He glanced at me. I stared intensely back at him. A smirk played on his lips."You disappeared for days! Just when I was about to take a break, you show up." I added irritably.He slightly loosened his necktie."I just wanted you to know that I haven't forgotten about you." His response was cold.I sighed."Can we stop? It's not really my fault, right? You're the one who claimed that I did something wrong to you, right?" I answered sharply.
The next morning when I opened my eyes, I immediately felt a headache. I sat on the edge of the bed and massaged my temples.I didn't know what time I fell asleep last night. When I woke up, I already felt the headache.I redirected my attention to something else to ease the pain a bit.Earlier, after we ate, Manang gave me a paracetamol. I took it and immediately drank it.Afterwards, I took a walk by the beach to at least sweat a little and alleviate the burden I was feeling.I found out from Shara that Xahel left early for Manila. She said he had a lot of paperwork to take care of and projects scheduled for this month until the fourth month.I couldn't understand why he left so suddenly. He only stayed for a day. Maybe he lost interest after seeing his ex!I also contemplated teaching him painting every weekend! I'm not really sure about it?But how can I back out now when I promised him that thing? He might get even angrier at me and make things more difficult for me."Zhanea, how
"What's your drama there? Why do you need filters and effects?" I said. The corner of my lips slightly lifted.His mind seemed like a video, so chaotic! The other day, he said he liked a girl who didn't like him back!We're walking along the shore now. He looks frustrated. His hair is messy, and his face is slightly scowling."She's pestering me!" he muttered.It's already eight in the evening, and the moonlight is our only source of illumination on the path we're taking."Huh? She's actually beautiful. As a sign of courtesy, couldn't you just talk to her?" I almost got nervous with what I said. I even emphasized it. It's like damn.He raised an eyebrow and gave me a stern look."What?" he asked, pretending to be innocent."Do you want me to repeat it?" I said.He sarcastically glanced at me."Shut up your mouth," he muttered.I raised an eyebrow and shrugged. When I got into his car, I glanced briefly at the girl. I saw her wiping her cheek.At that moment, I felt like slapping Xahel
I took a deep breath and raised my hand. It's getting a bit numb from the four hours of painting.I'm lying down on the hammock now, feeling the breeze brushing against my skin. Eventually, I lowered my hand from its raised position.I just wanted to enjoy my vacation and paint, but why did that guy have to come here? Hasn't he forgotten what I did to him? Huh? That was last week, for crying out loud. He has quite the memory.I closed my eyes, trying to let go of my worries caused by the cold wind. Well, also the view.I'm just really thinking about what Xahel said! Yeah, what's wrong with us having a meal together? But when we meet, all of that turns into a fight.It's also my problem, being clumsy like this. I don't want to add more problems with him, especially if it's about the woman he's with.It's hard to be jealous! I'm not used to having enemies. I may be talkative, but I don't know how to catfight. That would be embarrassing for me.Especially since I'll be a teacher. What wi
"In the next morning? I had a long sleep. No sound of cars and no neighbors shouting!The only things you can hear and feel are the cool breeze and the sound of waves on the shore.I held my head. It doesn't hurt anymore, unlike last night. Maybe it was just a migraine.I got up from my bed and walked towards the window. I pushed the curtain aside and partially opened the two windows.The blue ocean greeted me. The sun was beautifully positioned above, and a few fishermen were sailing in the distance.I smiled peacefully and took a gentle breath. It's such a really good start to the day. I rested my elbows on the windowsill and let the wind play with my loose hair.A wide smile appeared on my face as I glanced below. But before I could close my mouth, I couldn't help but be surprised.Under the shade of a coconut tree was a handsome young man. He was looking seriously at the accompanying woman. Every movement of his jaw and lips was like a hair-raising melody.I closed my mouth and sl
If that is how fast the world rotates? The journey of the day was also easy.I've been back and forth in the Echavez family mansion! I'm just grateful and Xahel didn't mess with me.I learned from Shara that one week she was on vacation with friends!Is that how he really is? No goodbye to me and if I go home? Don't know the right day and month! The world just revolves around itself.I also found out that he used to be Xahel's friend! But when they had each other's lambs he stayed away.I would have asked her about it? But don't. I don't want to care. Atleast I'm not kidding Xahel! So my brain is peaceful and there is no variety of thought events today. I wish he had been there for a long time and he would never remember my fault with her! That's okay!I turned around and followed the couple. We are here today at the rest house they bought in the lagoon. The wind is fresh because it is the beautiful sea! There is no vehicle in. No to poll! Yes to Fresh. Kidding.Thanks and they though
"I'm Xahel Royce Echavez. And you are?" He said while lifting the edge of the lip."Zhanea!" My answer is heartbreaking.He was even more sorry."You're suffering from a rare disorder!" I scolded and shook her."Really? Then prove it, Baby!" She was waking up.I want to rock her with this paint brush I hold! Then we could encounter each other. He pulled me over and never finished eating. My jaw dropped before I could speak he immediately suspected me. Its still tight in my arm."Go ahead!" I will invite him.We are here today in front of their infinity pool! After he hugged me earlier he brought me here.He sat in the non-cement chair and then whistled."Paint of me, baby. Paint!" He was a scout.She convinced me to paint for her! According to me I pay for everything I did wrong to her! Whack what!"Don't try to run away from me again!" He said after I took my left foot.I nodded at him. His strength to be able to concentrate ha? Proud that he is, what?She was weak in front of me.I