"You feel so confident about yourself? Dadating ang panahon na babalik at babalik siya sa akin Slaine. You're just his pastime, so enjoy now then cry later." She sneered at me.
"Oh, I'm just a pastime? Then why did he introduced me legally to his parents when I'm just some sort of pastime? Why did he let me call his father Tito Stefano?" I uttered while brows furrowed.My only intention was to tease her but I didn't know she took my words in another level. She's damn livid and about to attack me but she manage to stop herself.She tiptoed to level her lips on my ear. She then slowly pat my shoulder before whispering words and leave me standing. "You're still clueless about their family affairs though. You may be the girlfriend but I know things you don't."Aurora's words lingers in my mind the next days. I have tried discarding that thought but it keeps on replaying at the back of my mind. What family affairs is she talking about? Rafus' family s"I didn't know your Senior Ball will extend until today," I tried not to be sarcastic yet failed.Tumahimik sa likuran kaya lumingon ako. Nakita ko si Shey na nasa maayos na pananamit at estado."Shey... you should have at least inform me of your whereabouts so I won't worry a lot. I'm your guardian and you're my responsibility," I uttered in calm and moderate tone of voice.Tumayo ako para harapin siya at kahit na napansin ko ang galit sa mata niya, ipinagsawalang bahala ko iyon."Do I have to remind you over and over again that we only have each other right now? I don't even know the root of this petty conflict between us! You always do it your way... not minding that it'll not just affect me and our relationship, but also your life!""Ano ba ang ikinagagalit mo, Ate?! Kung hindi ako umuwi kagabi, edi sorry! Pasensiya! Pasensiya kung mas gugustuhin ko pang makasama ang mga kaibigan ko kesa ang makasama ka!" Sigaw niya at marahas na inil
"Can my blockmates tag along? We'll pay on our own food, is it okay?" Rafus asked Jean."Sure! Iyon lang ba? Kahit pa buong blockmates mo pa ang maki-tag along sa amin, wala problema!"Hindi ko alam kung sarkastiko na ba ang pagkasabi ni Jean no'n pero nagtipa si Rafus sa cellphone at lumipas ang ilang minuto ay natatanaw namin ang papalapit niyang mga blockmates."Galit ka ba sa akin?" Tanong ko sa kaniya habang ang mga kasama namin ay abala sa pag-uusap kung saang lugar kami kakain."I'm not," he said then breath heavily. "I'm just annoyed at your friend for resting his arm over your shoulders.""Ah you're jealous," I nodded as I concluded something."I'm just threatened seeing you with someone else while smiling," he lowly said and looked away. I saw how his ears and neck reddened, making me bark a laughter."Slaine, tara na! Sa pizza parlor daw tayo!" Naagaw ang atensyon dahil sa pagsigaw ni Jean."Sige, sus
Sumasayaw sa ritmo ng hangin ang mga palay at mukhang malapit na itong anihin dahil sa hitik na bunga at kulay ginto nito. I could clearly see from here that the farmers working under the Cattaneo's are harvesting the mangoes with two different variety... the indian mangoes and the carabao mangoes."My family also owns mango plantation in Guimaras. I'll take you there someday," Rafus softly said as he noticed me watching the farmers.Lumingon ako sa kaniya, "Magagalit ka ba kung sasabihin ko sa'yo na hindi ako nagulat?"He chuckled genuinely before shaking his head. Bumilis ng kaunti ang sinasakyan namin at maraming tanim pa akong nakita dito sa farm nila. I'm really enjoying this and I can't stop taking pictures of the crops and taking pictures with Rafus. On a second thought, what I'm seeing right now is making me hesitant to leave Antique once I graduate in college.I saw a vintage-looking gazebo situated near the stream and just a five meter d
"Tangina! Kailan nga uli 'yon? Third week of October 'di ba? Shit, nawala sa isip ko!""Chill, we'll do a group study. Don't stress yourself too much about it. We can survive the finals!" I said in a cheerful and hopeful voice. I suddenly feel guilty because I've said that, and I don't have any intention to make her panic.Ilang minuto ang ginugol ko hanggang sa tuluyan na siyang kumalma. Nalihis ko ang pinag-uusapan namin ni Jean at nang tumunog ang bell na hudyat na lunch time na ay nagpaalam kami sa isa't isa.Genuine smile automatically broke into my lips as Rafus' name flashed on my phone when it rang. I immediately answered the call while walking in the corridor and heading my way towards the cafeteria."Hey there, mister Rafus Matthieu Cattaneo."I heard him chuckle on the line, "What's with the full name greeting?""Nothing... I just feel like your name sounds sexy when pronounced in full name.""Let's just say I
"You really made my night, Rafus... and I don't know if I can thank you enough for everything."He cupped my face and gently caressed his thumb against it. "No, I should be the one thanking you, baby... for staying with me, for letting me prove that I love you, and for knowing your priorities before me and our relationship came into the scene."Umawang ang labi ko kung paano pumungay ang mata niya at marahang kinuha mula sa bulsa ang isang blue velvet na box."Hey Rafus Matthieu Cattaneo, ano ba'ng ginagawa mo?" Kinakabahan kong tanong at nagbabadya ng tumulo ang luha ko sa tuwa nang lumuhod siya sa harapan ko."I know you have dreams to chase in your life. I know for a fact that we don't know what tomorrow brings and to our future plans. You know I love you and this is not some sort of transient diversion or short-lived feelings. We've been together for a year now and still our relationship remains strong since we both know when and where to admi
Kahit na natapos ang paghuhugas ni Shey at dumaan siya rito sa sala ay walang siyang sinasabi. Noon kasi ay kadalasan siyang nagdadabog, nagpapakita ng pagkadisgusto niya kapag nandito si Rafus.Pending parin ang thesis namin ng kagrupo ko nang mag-holiday break. After the Christmas party of our class, we decided to send what we've started on the thesis to our group leader for review. I did my part but I also have a lot to do.The plans Rafus and I made were only for ourselves. I wanted to ask Shey if she wanted to come with us but she declined saying, "That's your holiday break, enjoy and unwind to the fullest, Ate."Hindi ko nalang siya pinilit baka may plano rin siya para sa sarili o doon siya magdadaos ng Christmas at New Year niya sa Iloilo. That night, Rafus came over to our house to help me pack my clothes."I thought you're going to help me?" I asked with furrowed brows while both of my hands were on my waist.He just laughed befo
My following days were never the same. And I'm aware that it slightly affected my relationship with Rafus. I often spaced out and rarely communicate with him. I'm just too drowned with my thoughts about Shey. I'm ignoring her right now because I'm still feeling the pain and the disappointment, but I noticed Shey's doing her best to make up with me. I would be glad yet I can't force myself to accept it now. Even when we welcomed the New Year, I just greeted her then returned to my room to sleep the heavy feelings."Baby, are you okay?" Rafus worriedly ask.I was pulled out from my deep thoughts. I shook my head and a reassuring smile crept my lips. "Uhm, yeah. I'm okay.""Are you sure?"I sipped from the iced coffee he ordered for me. "Hundred percent."We're in a particular coffee shop here at El Paso. Kabubukas lang nitong business kaya nag-aya siya na pumunta dito lalo na't alam niya na medyo adik ako sa kape."Anyways, do you
"Kaya mo ba ang responsibilidad na maging batang ina, Shey?!" Dumagundong ang boses ni Nanay kahit na sa tarangkahan palang ako ng bahay.My heart sank when my eyes landed to Shey. Her eyes are full of tears mixed with different emotions. Regret was deeply etched. And she seems helpless.This is when the moment I knew... that I have to defend her.I had to defend her even though it means I have to be slapped by my mother for accusing me that I tolerated this matter and not telling them after I found this out.After that day, Shey's been grounded. Kailangan ko pang magmakaawa kay Nanay para pigilan siya sa pagsugod sa pamilya ni Norman.Buti nga at pumayag si Norman na subukang kumbinsihan ang magulang niya na kausapin sina Nanay at Tatay. Nagkaroon ng hidwaan sa pagitan ng pamilya namin at maging si Tatay ay mayroong hinanakit sa akin at kay Shey. Naiintindihan ko naman kung saan nanggaling iyon pero ang sakit lang kasing isipin na parang