I saw his back stiffen. Even that bit of reaction from him made me anxious. Parang gusto kong tumakbo palayo.
God, is it really too late to back down now?
He turned around and I forced myself to stand my ground. Hindi ako makapaniwalang nakakaramdam ako ng kaunting kaba. The slight shock on his face was evident. But then, just like always, it vanished. And so did the somber atmosphere around the place.
"Well, look who's here," he quipped, wearing that annoying smirk on his face. My anxiety disappeared fast. Ang tanging naramdaman ko na lang ay ang pagkakairita sa lecheng ngisi niya.
I opened my mouth to speak but he cut me off.
"Akala ko ba 
ParisHis voice was low, almost like a whisper, and yet it was intimidating and menacing. Punong puno ito ng panghahamon.I started catching my breath the moment he stepped back and walked pass me. Saka lang ako nakahinga ng maluwag. Naramdaman ko rin ang panghihina ng mga tuhod ko. My body's reaction towards Ezzio's'intensity'was very upsetting. Maybe my assumptions were right? Maybe he really did suck the confidence out of people.I was only starting to calm down when I heard his voice from behind."'You coming or not?"Napakunot ang noo ko. Ano'ng ibig niyang sabihin?
Paris I had made up my mind, alright. The night he told me to prove it, I'd made up my mind. Kaya naman the following day, I was determined to start being'head over heels'for him. "What's with the lunchbox?"Venny asked as she moved around the kitchen. This time, she had her baby blue PJ's on. Kakagising niya lang. Palibhasa, mamaya pa ang klase niya. The perks of being a first year. "And you cooked..." she wrinkled her nose, trying to smell and figure out the dish. "Sinigang? Is that sinigang?" I looked down at the food I was packing and shrugged."I just thought I'd try something new."
Paris"Not happening,"I answered as soon as my brain processed the words he uttered.Bahagyang tumaas ang kanyang kilay."Why not?"He was oozing with nonchalance. Tila ba wala lang sa kanya ang hindi pag pasok sa klase! I couldn't believe him. Tiningnan ko siya na parang hindi makapaniwala."Gusto mo talagang isa-isahin ko ang mga rason kung bakit hindi dapat tayo mag cutting? Okay!"I nodded to myself. Agad akong nagsalita."Una sa lahat, masama 'yon."Sa unang rason pa lang ay nakakuha na agad ako ng reaksyon mula sa kanya. He shook his head and snorted. It's like he didn't
ParisThe weekend passed and truth be told, Ezzio and I did have our lunch together the following week. Hindi lang during Monday kung hindi sa mga sumunod na araw rin. The students were starting to notice, even the professors or the people from the faculty. Venny was no exception."You know, my friends are asking me about you two. Kulang na lang kasi magingOfficial Lunch Buddiesna kayo!"I rolled my eyes at her attempt to tease me. "Edi mas mabuti. Option #2 nga, 'di ba?"Nagsalubong ang kanyang kilay. Huminto pa siya sa pags-switch ng channel sa TV at tumingin sa'kin.
Paris"Kailan ang next clubbing niyo?"tanong ko sa walang pag aalinlangan. Susubo na sana siya ng kanin ngunit bahagya siyang napatigil dahil doon. I saw his brows furrow. Bakas ang pagtataka sa kanyang mukha nang dahan-dahan niyang ilapag ang kutsara. And then in a second, a smirk appeared on his face."So, you're interested in my whereabouts now?"he asked.I shrugged coolly. Kung alam niya lang, ilang beses ko 'tong pinraktis sa harapan ng salamin."I just want to know."Sinabi ko 'yon upang maibsan ang pagtataka niya kahit papaano but unfortunately, mukhang mas napukaw ko pa ang interes niya. Very attentiv
ParisMy feet were glued on the ground. Imbes na tuluyang sumunod kina Ezzio ay tumigil ako. Suddenly, it became harder to breathe. I went here, already expecting all these people and the dimmed flashes of lights. But I certainly didn't expect King to be here. Heck, I didn't even consider the idea!I was still looking at King's way when Ezzio noticed I wasn't following him. He turned around and came back to me."Hey,"he said."Okay ka lang?"tanong niya, pansin ang pagkakatulala ko. I shook my head as if it would help me clear up my mind."Uh, yeah,"tumango-tango ako. Mataman siyang nakatingin sa akin nang bumaling ako sa kanya."Don't worry. My friends are good company and soon enough, you'll eventually get used to this place."Hearing his words made me realize that he must have thought those two things were what's bo
ParisNagtagal ang paningin ko roon. Ni wala na akong balak sagutin pa ang tanong ni King. Tila ba sa isang iglap ay kay Ezzio at sa babae na napunta ang buo kong atensyon.Who the hell is that girl?My mind was filled with questions, kasabay roon ang pagbugso ng sobrang inis para kay Martinez. The bastard just couldn't help himself, could he?!"Paris?"I heard the faint sound of my name. May kasunod pa ito."Hello? Earth to Paris?"Napakurap-kurap ako nang nakita ang kamay na iwinawagayway sa harap ng mukha ko. I faced King. I could tell he was puzzled."Okay ka lang?"he asked."You spaced out."I opened my mouth, closed it, and then opened it again to finally say something."Sorry. May naisip lang,"I said and diverted the topic."Where were we?"I asked K
ParisKumalat ang video. I already expected it to happen but I just couldn't help but be appalled by how fast the social media platforms worked. Isang post lang, kalat na agad. And to think na Friday pa lang ngayon! Hindi man lang naabutan ng ilang araw.Ezzio muttered a soft curse."That ass, though,"I heard him say, grinning playfully while biting his lip. Nang-aasar na naman ang gago!Nanlisik ang mga mata ko at tiningnan siya ng masama. He was chuckling quietly with his eyes fixed on the phone. Ngunit liningon din niya ako nang mapansin niyang tinitingnan ko siya. But instead of stopping, he just gave me a smirk."Oh, come on, Paris,"iniharap niya sa'kin ang phone."You look good here. Ako na mismo nagsasabi kaya dapat maniwala ka."He laughed at his cockiness whileI cringed for the nth time as I saw myself on his phone. Yep. Ang video iyo
Ezzio "Cut it out, Z! We're running late!"reklamo ni Ray, kunot noong nakatingin sa wristwatch. I didn't listen. Sa halip ay nagpatuloy lang ako sa paglalaro ng bola. Dalawang linggo pa lang matapos kaming napasok sa team ng Wolves pero kahit ganoon ay nakasanayan na naming tumambay sa field tuwing lunchbreak kasama ang mga seniors. I smirked at Ray while doing my freestyle. Sinasadya kong hindi tapusin dahil alam kong inis na siya. Lunch was over and most people in the field had already left for their next class. "Tss. Tangina naman, o!" Napatawa na ako nang marinig siyang magmura. I took that as a sign to stop. Hinawakan ko ang bola pero agad din 'yong hinagis sa direksyon niya. His reflex was fast so he caught it without batting an eye. I shrugged and run my fingers through my hair. "Five minutes na lang, late na tayo,"aniya nang nagsimula kaming maglak
Paris"So you're the girl my son's been talking about!"Napakurap ako, halos namamala ang lalamunan dahil sa kaba. We were at their house now, standing in their living room. Kakapasok pa lang namin pero agad na kaming sinalubong ng mommy niya. She looked excited when I saw her come out somewhere to greet us. Malapad ang mga ngiting iginawad niya. I couldn't help but watch her in awe while she was walking.It was my first time seeing Ezzio's mother. She looked gorgeous in her white chiffon dress. It contrasted her morena skin. Her hair was up in a bun, which emphasized her high cheekbones and almond eyes. I could tell she was already in her late 40's or early 50's. But boy, did she looked younger.
ParisThere was a long pause. Tila hindi pumapasok sa utak ko yung sinabi niya. I even thought about asking him to repeat it just in case I didn't hear it right but who was I kidding? It was just a damn excuse. I heard it the first time. Narinig ko. Narinig ko naman ng malinaw.A heavy sigh escaped from my lips, not knowing what to say. Nakatingin pa rin ako sa magandang tanawin sa harapan ngunit parang nawala na ang epekto no'n sa'kin. I couldn't appreciate it anymore. My thoughts and attention were now directed to something else.I felt Ezzio's hold on my waist tighten, like he was afraid of what I was about to say, or do. Did he thought I would lash out?My lips parted, preparing myself to speak."That's..."I could barely continue. The emotions inside me were starting to get overwhelming and my mind has become too chaotic. Kasi parang ang bilis naman yata? We spent the rest of the day happy and no
Paris"Is that a good thing or a bad thing?"I asked. Because I honestly didn't know how I should take it.Ezzio shrugged. Inilapag niya ang phone sa mesa."I guess I'll find out later."Napakunot ang noo ko. Later?"He wants us to talk over lunch,"he said, probably reading the confused expression on my face. My mouth formed a small 'o'. Saka lang ako tuluyang lumapit para lagyan ng kubyertos ang pinggan niya, kasama na rin ang akin."Baka na-miss ka lang niya kaya siya bumalik,"biro ko. I hadn't met his dad yet, but I could tell he wasn't the affectionate type.Ezzio laughed a little."Come here,"he uttered, reaching his hand to me. I looked at him suspiciously when he pulled me close. Ipinulupot niya ang mga braso sa baywang ko habang humawak naman ako sa batok niya, dahilan sa mas pagkakalapit n
Paris"Paris!"I heard Sam exclaim when she barged into the restroom."There you are."Her voice was laced with relief. Umurong ang mga luha ko. I turned around to face her."Nag-alala ako sa'yo. Ang tagal mo kasing bumalik."She smiled apologetically. Sigurado ay iniisip niya na ang OA niya dahil doon. But little did she know, she was right to worry about me. Because after the little chit-chat I had with Charlotte, I was far from okay. However, I didn't want to worry Samantha. So I gathered up my strength to give her the fakest smile I had ever done in my entire life."I'm
Paris"What do you think?"I asked and twirled around to make him see more of the gown. It was a simple black V-neck chiffon. Third try ko na 'to at isinama ko si Ezzio para hingin ang opinyon niya.He was sitting on the small couch in front of me, his arms crossed while eyeing me carefully. I watched his lips form a twisted smile as his eyes traveled up and down my body."Beautiful,"he whispered while I rolled my eyes."Paulit-ulit naman 'yang sinasabi mo, e!"reklamo ko."I want anhonestopinion, Ezzio. Or else we're stuck here and we're not going anywhere."
ParisI left.Of course, I left! Ni hindi ko na nga hinayaan pang makapagsalita si Ezzio o sino man sa kanilang dalawa. I was too furious and hurt. 'Yung parang hindi ko kakayaning patagalin pa ng kahit isang segundo ang pagtitig sa mukha noong Martinez na 'yon!And so, I stormed out of the room. Went straight to the parking lot. Drove back to El Gusto. And pretended like nothing ever happened.Nagulat pa si Marky nang makita ako. Akala niya raw kasi ay matatagalan ako sa pagbalik. I just smiled at him and asked about how the couple of hours went. Talagang nakaya ko pang magtanong tungkol sa deliveries at orders!I decided to work in the baking room because
Paris"Here we are,"Ezzio uttered under his breath when he stopped the car in front of El Gusto. It was 8 in the morning. Unfortunately, my car needed some fixing so my boyfriend volunteered to take me to work.My cheeks heated up at the thought.My boyfriend.Sinikap kong h'wag mapangiti. Simula nang naging kami, tila ang laki pa rin ng epekto sa'kin sa tuwing naiisip ko na boyfriend ko na nga talaga siya. Tila hindi pa ako sanay. A part of me still couldn't believe it and I had been having quite a hard time adjusting, too. This was the first real and serious relationship I had ever had. I was anxious I might screw it up."Hey."Once again, I heard Ezzio's voice. Agad akong napalingon sa kanya. Nakita kong hindi na siya nakahawak sa manibela. Sa halip ay nakabaling na ang buong atensyon niya sa akin. I recognized the look of concern on his face."Thinkin
Paris"He said that?!"I winced at how loud Venny's voice was. She even slammed both her hands on the dining table. We were at her place. Niyaya niya kasi akong magdinner. Good thing she wasn't busy. Patapos na raw siya sa pag-aayos sa bahay ni Z at sa susunod pa magsisimula ang iba niyang projects. Meanwhile, I wasn't that busy, too. Kinuha ko na rin 'to bilang oportunidad para sabihin kay Venny ang mga sinabi ni Ezzio sa'kin. At heto na nga't halatang hindi siya makapaniwala."So..."she leaned forward with her eyes fixed on me."He's courting you now?"Hearing the words from her still urged a part of me to be surprised; the same thing I felt that night. Tumango ako, hindi alam kung ano ang idadagdag. Venny opened her mouth but took a few seconds to finally speak."Magre-retire na raw si Rapunzel. Nahiya na siya sa'yo."Halos maihagis ko