Chapter IV

That guy! I mean, Asher. I don't like him. In fact, I'm starting to add him on my hate list. He's getting on my nerves.

Remembering our last coversation yesterday made my head boiled up. I don't understand why Dwight associates himself with him. 

My thoughts stopped abruptly when I saw Dwight outside of our gate. I was welcomed with his charming smile when I went near to him. 

"Morning." Kaswal niyang bati. I greeted him back with a smile. Napangiti ako nang may inabot siya sa aking bulaklak. "For you," 

I played with my lips. "Ang aga mong magpa-kilig, ah?" sambit ko.

"Atleast, effective sa'yo diba? Expect more from me." He grinned.

"Sira." Tumawa naman siya. 

We walked and rode the bus together. He told me that he wasn't a morning person before not until he met me. He'd wake up early to go to university with me. Ayoko rin kasi na lagi akong nali-late pagpasok.

"May exam kayo?" he asked beside me. We were at the library. I told him to just let me study alone but he insisted to accompany me. I agreed in the end.

Simula nang nanligaw siya sa akin, hindi na na rin nagparamdan ang iba kong manliligaw. Terrence is still an excemption though. He still floods me with messages.

"Yeah," I replied nonchalantly. He moved closer to me. I burrowed my forehead. "Bakit ka dumidikit?" Bulyaw ko.

"Sshh," saway niya. "Baka palabasin tayo."

"I'm just going to help you."

"Help me? How?"

"Don't underestimate me," he said with his usual confident smile. Kinuha niya ang ballpen mula sa kamay ko at pumunit ng papel. Financial accounting ang subject ko.  Ano'ng alam niya roon?

He looked at what I am reading. "Revenue. Debit. Credit. Account receivable." He read it aloud.

"Wait. Shit. Ano 'yan?!" He shrieked. Natawa naman ako sa reaksyon niya.

"Ayan kasi." I mumbled. Binawi ko 'yung ballpen mula sa kamay niya.

"Confident ka pa kanina, ah?" Pang-aasar ko. Bumusangot naman ang mukha niya. I found him cute when he pouted.

"Hindi ba nakakasira ng ulo 'yan?"

Umiling ako. "No, I find it fun." I replied.

He shrugged. "Sabagay. Others find my course hard too."

"Lahat naman ng course mahirap." I seconded.

Nagpaalam na siya dahil may practice game sila. He told me to watch his game next time which I obliged.

"Kamusta naman ang panliligaw ni Dwight sa'yo?" tanong ni Kiana. Tumusok ako ng fishball habang siya naman ang paborito niyang kwek kwek. Nasa labas kami ng university. Maaga rin ang dismissal ngayon kaya nag-aya si Kiana.

"Okay lang," I answered. Hawak ko 'yung basong puno ng fishball at kikiam saka bumili ng palamig.

"Ganda mo talaga, girl. So, kailan mo siya balak sagutin niyan?"

"I don't know. We'll see."

Dwight was consistent for the next few days. He always brings chocolates and flowers for every morning. He never failed to do that. 

I received a message from him when I woke up.

Dwight:

Good morning sa pinakamagandang babae sa mundo.

I almost cringed with his message. Mabilis akong nagtipa ng reply.

Ako:

Ang corny mo.

Dwight:

Sa'yo lang, Jez. Anyways, what do you want to do today?

Sandali akong nag-isip bago mag-reply.

Ako:

Nothing.

Today's weekend and I've got nothing to do. My mother wasn't around because she had some business to do. I stopped caring for my father the moment I witnessed him cheating. I really hate cheaters. How do they sleep well at night knowing they broke people's relationship? 

Dwight:

Let's date, then.

Hindi ko naman mapigilan mapangiti sa nabasa ko. Sinundo nga ako ni Dwight. I wore a simple floral dress. I just felt wearing it. I also applied a face powder and pink liptint to complete the look. I took my sling bag with me.

Nang makalabas ako ay bumungad sa akin si Dwight na napanganga nang makita ako.

"Shit! Why are you pretty?"

Ngumiwi ako sa ako narinig. "Stop with your compliments!" I hissed.

"I couldn't help it. Aren't you aware how pretty you are whenever I see you? You always make my heart flutter." 

Why was he so straightforward? My cheeks flushed hearing his words. I'm used to people's adoration with my beauty but I was never pleased with them, today is an exception.

"You know, I am not the type of guy who will not hesitate to tell you this, Jezrel. You always make my heart crazy."

"Dwight naman!" He laughed.

Dala niya ang kotse niya. Pinagbuksan niya ako ng pinto. I smiled as his gestue when I went inside his car. I seated comfortably and watched the trees blur as the vehicle increased in speed. 

We went to his favorite restaurant. He was in the counter, ordering for our food when I went to him. 

"May idadagdag ka?" 

 Inabutan ko siya ng pera.

"I am gonna pay, Jez."

"No. Ikaw nagbayad noong nakaraan. Let's make it even." I insisted. He heaved a deep sigh. Tinanggap naman niya iyon. Bumalik na ako sa kinauupuan ko kanina. I don't want him to feel the need of always paying. I can pay for mine, too.

I was browsing my phone while waiting for him when I received a message.

Terrence:

Jez. Please give me a chance.

I sighed frustratedly after reading the message. Napaka-kulit talaga niya!

"What's with your face?" I tilted my head when I saw Dwight and seated across me. I was hesitating on whether I'll tell him this or I'll just slip it away again like I always do.  

"Nothing," sagot ko. 

"Sure?" I nodded my head. It's not something to make a big fuss off.  

After eating lunch, we stopped at a bookstore. "May titingnan lang ako." Paalam ko.

He incredulously looked at me. "Titingnan? Scam ka, ah? Hindi ka lang titingin. Pustahan pa tayo." 

"Oo na! Magtatagal ako. You can buy whatever you want while waiting for me."

"Alright," he said.

I went inside the bookstore and browsed for books. Naka-ilang ikot na ako sa paghahanap pero wala akong nakitang interesting. Sinipat ko ang relo ko. It has been almost an hour but Dwight wasn't here yet. I took my phone and sent him a message. 

Ako:

Where are you?

There was no reply from him. I wondered where he went. 

Nasa labas na ako ng bookstore nakatayo habang naghihintay sa kanya. A guy approached me.

"Miss, pahingi naman number mo," sabi nito. Hindi ko siya pinansin. I wandered around. I was starting to get worried.

"Pakipot ka pa. Hihingi lang naman ako." The man a while ago grabbed my hand. 

"Ano ba?!" I hissed. How could he grab my hand without my permission?

"Tapang mo naman." He was about to come near to me but I saw Dwight with his fiery eyes. He glared at the guy. 

"Stay away from her or I'll break your bones." Pagbabanta niya gamit ang buo at malalim na boses.

"Sorry, bro." The guy stepped backward and went away.

"I'm sorry," he whispered. My eyes were starting to moist. I don't know why. Dwight lets me feel things I should have not. 

"I'm sorry..." Pag-uulit niya.

"You made me worried. Akala ko nauna ka ng umuwi." I gasped when he pulled me to his arms.

"Hindi na mauulit, promise." Humiwalay ako sa yakap niya. I saw him took out something from his jean pocket. It was a box. My jaw dropped when I saw a necklace.

"Nagtagal ako sa paghahanap nito. Sorry." Lumapit siya sa akin saka sinuot iyon sa leeg. "It suits you."

I smiled. "Sige na, bawi ka na." 

He flashed his charming smile. "Jez, birthday ko ngayon. Share ko lang." 

My eyes widened in surprise. "Seryoso ka?"

He nodded. "I didn't know! Why didn't you tell me?"

"Trip ko lang. And, I got my gift already." Ngisi niya pa.

Kinunotan ko siya ng noo. "What?" I asked.

He pursed his lips. "You."

My heart skipped a beat. It was foreign. I never dated a guy. And, Dwight was making me fall in love with him. I think he made me easy to.

Masyado bang maaga ang halos dalawang buwan para masabi mong mahal mo ang isang tao?

Is this love that they call? It really is indeed mysterious. It will knock at the door of your heart without permission and will let you feel in a cloud nine. 

How sure am I that this feeling I have can be determined as love? Or it could just be an infatuation or admiration? But, I am sure something's different when I am with him.

His text messages make me smile. I am always anticipating seeing him in the morning walking with me to school. It's like there's a magnet that draws me to him.

He's making me feel all emotions at once and I couldn't help but to be overwhelmed by it.

With these intense emotions I have as I spend time with him and get to know him, I just knew I was falling for him.

"Then, happy birthday!" I exclaimed.

"Thank you," he said.

"But I should be the one giving gift."

"I told you, you're the best gift. I'll have a birthday party tomorrow. My parents organized it for me. You'll come, right?"

"What if I won't?" His face turned grim.

"Ito naman, nagjo-joke lang ako."

"You should be there, Jez. Magtatampo ako sa'yo 'pag hindi ka pumunta."

I gave him a smile.

Hinatid naman ako ni Dwight sa bahay. Hindi pa ako nakakababa nang humarap ako sa kanya.

"Bakit?" 

I moistened my lips before I took the distance and gave him a peck in his cheeks. "Bye," I said and left him dumbfounded.

Pumasok ako sa bahay na may ngiti sa labi. I halted when I saw my father in front of the door. Nagbago naman ang timpla ng mukha ko.

"Pinapayagan ka ng Mommy mo mag-boyfriend?" 

"Stop acting like you care about me, Dad! Why don't you just stay with your mistress instead of coming home here?" I gave him an intense stare.

"Bastos kang bata!" He yelled.

"Sino sa atin ang bastos sa atin, Dad? You're a cheater! I loathe you!" Napaatras ako ng malakas niya akong sinampal.

"I hate you!" 

Mabilis akong tumakbo papuntang kwarto ko. I rested my face in between my knees and let my heart out.

I stared at my reflection in the mirror. It didn't take an hour for me to get dressed. I decided to dress beautifully today. I curled my hair which was my first time to do. I applied a light make up too, to match it with my off shoulder dress. I paired it with my black stilettos.

Dwight wanted to accompany me but I told him not to. Kaya ko naman ang sarili ko.

The place was already swarmed with guests when I reached it. There was a loud music playing through the speaker. It was dimmed inside but the colorful lights but quite blinding. Everyone was enjoying on their own.

Hindi ko nga alam na kaya ko palang pumunta sa ganitong mataong lugar.  If only Kiana was here with me. 

"Yna! Please, I told you that fucking Brent will just hurt you! Why won't you listen to me?" The voice was familiar that I turned my head to look at that person. I saw Asher raked his hair using his finger frustratedly as he talked over the phone.

"Ano ba'ng meron d'yan sa Brent na 'yan? Nandito naman ako." Napaatras ako nang mapansin niya ako. Why was I standing here as if I'm interested? Binaba naman niya ang tawag niya. I suddenly felt uncomfortable when he went near to me. 

Why am I always getting chills when I am with this guy?

"Did you hear it?"

I raised my brow. "As if I care." 

He scoffed. "Yeah, you're right. You don't care. Why are you here lurking around?" 

I bit my lower lip. "I can't find Dwight. Will you tell me where he is?"

He flashed a smirk. "Why? You're gonna bed him?"

Umakyat ang dugo ko papuntang ulo ko sa narinig. "What did you say?!"

"I know girls like you." He scanned me from head to toe.

"You're an asshole, do you know that?"

"I know."

"Kaya ka hindi nagustuhan ng babaeng gusto mo. Ang sama ng ugali mo!" He clenched his jaw. I hit the button! "Why? Totoo naman sinabi ko." He grabbed my arms.

"Wala kang alam. Stop blabbering like a fool." Marahas kong binitawan ang pagkahawak niya sa akin.

I was about to say something when someone held my hand from behind. I gasped when I saw Dwight.

"You didn't tell me you're here." His gaze turned to me then to Asher.

"Dito na ako, pre! Nandyan na chicks mo." Asher stared at me before he disappeared my sight. Jerk!

"Thank you for coming." He smiled. 

"Pinilit mo akong pumunta." 

"I didn't. But, thank you."

"I have a gift for you." He looked excited hearing those words from me. Tumalikod ako saglit bago humarap. "I am the gift."

"Huh?" He looked confused with his forehead knitted. I think he's not getting it. 

"I am your gift, boyfriend."

"A-Ano? Wait.. T-teka lang." He moved away from me. "Let me breathe for a while. You're making me crazy."

Ngumiti ako. "Silly. You're now my boyfriend and I'm your girlfriend."

His face lit up. "Shit! Sinasagot mo na ako?" Hindi niya makapaniwalang tanong.

"Yes, Dwi--" he cut me off and quickly grabbed my arm to pull me against him. I was surprised when he kissed me. It caught me offguard. I don't know how to kiss! And what he did shocked me that it was too hard to breathe as he continued to savor me his kiss. 

"Sorry, I was too excited. I've been dying to do that." My heart hammered. "Fuk shit! Binigla mo ako, Jez. Tangina 'yung puso ko." My lips curled up in both corners. He took my hand and planted a kiss there.

"Happy Birthday!"

"Best birthday gift ever, Jez. Shit! Mahal talaga kita."