Matapos ipakilala si Cooper sa mga katulong lalo na sa Yaya Marta niya, ay dumulog na sila sa mesa. Marami pa silang napag-usapan habang kumakain. Her dad asked Cooper about his family and he was delighted to know that Cooper’s father was in fact an acquaintance of his. Rafael Mercado was ranked no. 3 in this year’s Richest Man in the Country whereas Eduardo Ayala, Cooper’s Father, ranked no. 5.
It was a fun night and Cooper was so happy that everything is okay with him and Zyon, even getting her dad’s approval. At 9:00 PM, Rafael excused himself to rest early so Cooper decided na umuwi na rin. Hinatid siya ni Zyon sa gate nila.
“Thank you for standing up with Dad. I was so relieved that he finally met you and we have his approval too.”
“Moo, thank you for coming into my life. Whatever promise I made to your dad, I swear to keep them.” He looked directly into her eyes and touched her
“Mandy, do you know that girl Zyon?” tanong ng isang kasamahan niya sa peep squad.“I saw her. And why?”“Aren’t you afraid that Cooper will like her? You remember during that ball that she beat you for the most popular student award and Cooper had drawn her? Maybe he likes her.”Mandy shot a fierce look to her friend.“Cooper doesn’t like her. If he indeed does, still, he has to keep it within himself. He knows that and I am confident that he won’t do something stupid as to court that girl.” Nakangiting sagot niya sa babae. Pero deep inside, it awakens her possessive instinct. After changing clothes, she hurriedly proceeded to her first class. She saw Cooper and Jason talking and laughing at the same time. His face is so bright. “Hi, fiance!” Masayang bati niya sabay halik sa pisngi ng lalaki. She saw how
Hindi na sumagot si Jane. Alam niya ang marriage arrangement ng pamangkin ky Mandy. Tutol man siya dito ay wala na siyang magawa sa hipag at kuya niya.“Gusto ko siyang makilala mamaya. Ang gandang bata.” Nakangiting sabi ng hipag.Matapos niyang kumanta ay masigabong palakpakan ang sumalubong sa kanya. Bumalik siya sa mesa nila Cooper at sinalubong siya nito.“I’m so proud of my girl.” Nakangiti nitong bulong sa kanya na ikinatawa niya. Nag-umpisa na ang sayawan at may mangilan-ngilang bisita ang nagtangkang isayaw siya pero mahinahon siyang tumanggi lalo at nakikita niya ang pag-asim ng mukha ng boyfriend na hindi umaalis sa tabi niya.“Moo, it’s getting late. I’ll take you home.”“It’s quite early, Moo. Nakakahiya naman kay Maggie.”“Maggie is very busy, Moo. Please. Those guys are eyeing
Monday. Nakaabang na si Cooper sa dalaga sa parking lot. When he saw her car, he got his bag from inside his car. Nang bumaba na ito ay dali-dali siyang lumapit.“Good morning my one and only.”“Morning my one and only.” nbati nito nang nakangiti.“Tara.”“Huh?!”“I told you I’ll prove to you na wala kaming ugnayan ni Mandy, di ba? From now on, hindi na tayo magtatago. I want everyone to know that I am the luckiest guy on earth.” Nakangiting sabi nito na ikinatawa niya.Kinuha ni Cooper ang dala niyang bag and books. He held it with his left hand while his right hand subconsciously reached out for her left hand. It seems normal na sa kanya na laging nakahawak sa kamay ng dalaga. The two most popular students of the campus, walking hand in hand
A day after their final exam, students started to relax after a strenuous battle with their scribbled notes, thesis and research deadlines. Cooper and Zyon decided to join Cooper’s friends for a day out at a beach resort in Batangas na pag-aari ng pamilya ng isa nilang ka-barkdada. Kasama din si Jason at ang current fling nito at yung iba ay ngayon lang nakilala ni Zyon, mga classmates at close friends nina Jason at Cooper noong high school nila.“Moo, go with the girls. Kami ng mga boys ang bahala sa mga dala natin and sa food.” Cooper said to Zyon.“Samahan na kita, Moo.”“No, Moo. Enjoy with them. Susunod kami pagkatapos ayusin ang dala-dala natin.” Pang-eengganyo niya sa babae at hinawakan ang kamay nito.“Come, Zyon. I’m so excited for a dip.” Pang-aaya ng kasamang babae ni Jason na si Cha.
Zyon heard the agonizing voice coming from Cooper. She knew that he is trying his best to control his desire for her. But in the end, she can only get swayed by his love for her and let him kiss her fully with all the desires in the world. It was a long and intimate kiss. She opened her mouth fully to welcome his tongue, ravaging inside. They were really engrossed with the intimacy when Cooper let out a groan and held Zyon away from his body.“Moo, I’m sorry. Nadala ako, I’m sorry.”“Why are you saying sorry? Aren’t we supposed to do that? I thought it’s natural for a couple to….”Natawa ang lalaki sa sagot niya.“You really are so innocent. But I love that.” He winked at her. “Moo, I respect you. I made a promise to your dad na iingatan kita. We’ll come to that someday.
Dumating ang ama ng dalaga. Seryoso ang mukha nito pero hindi maitago ang matinding pag-alala.“T-tito, I’m so sorry. I wasn’t around when it happened. I wasn’t able to protect her.” Malungkot na pahayag niya habang nakaupo silang pareho sa labas ng emergency room.“It’s not your fault, Hijo.” Malumanay na sagot nito sabay tapik sa balikat ng binata.“Excuse me, Mayor. Kami po ang in-charge sa imbestigasyon ng kaso ng anak ninyo.”“Ah yes. Anong update? Sino ang walang-hiyang gumawa nito sa anak ko?” Tiim-bagang na tanong ng Tito Rafael niya. Mataas ang boses nito.“Nahuli na po ang suspect, Sir. Nasa station na po. Kailangan po naming makuha ang panig ni Miss Mercado if conscious po siya so we can file a blotter report and take necessary steps in filing a case.”
After 24 hours, the doctor checked Zyon again and assured her dad that she is doing fine. She prescribed a medication for her scratches, narrow cuts and wounds and let her go home. Cooper was with her all the time with her dad. They already filed a case against the suspect as he tried to flee the scene. Kung si Zyon lang ang tatanungin ay ayaw na niya sana pang palakihin ang issue. She believed that it was just an accident. But of course, her father won’t allow that to happen. He wants the suspect punished legally. The culprit has his own lawyer and had bailed himself out.“Moo, magpahinga ka na muna. Andito na ako sa bahay. You can go home muna and rest. Thank you for being there for me.” Zyon sincerely thanked Cooper.“Okay, Moo. Kahit papaano kampante na ako na nasa bahay ka na. Don’t lift something heavy and take your medicines on time.” Paalala naman ng lalaki na ikin
Pagkauwi ni Zyon ay diretso siyang umakyat ng kanyang silid at doon umiyak nang umiyak. Sumubsob siya sa unan sa kama at humagulhol. Maya-maya pa, narinig niya ang mahinang katok sa pinto.“Zyon, anak, kumain ka na at lunch time na.” Tawag ng kanyang Yaya Marta sa labas ng pinto.Sinikap niyang ayusin ang boses at sumagot.“Mamaya na po, Ya. Busog pa po ako.”Pero malakas ang pakiramdam ng kanyang Yaya Marta na may problema siya.“May problema ka ba?”“Wala po, Ya. Gusto ko po munang mapag-isa.”Matagal bago niya naramdamang umalis ang kanyang Yaya Marta. Saka pa lang siya nagsimulang umiyak ulit. Hindi yata maubos-ubos ang kanyang luha. Sakit at poot ang nararamdaman niya. Kahit sa hinagap niya ay hindi niya akalaing magagawa ni Cooper sa kanya iyon. Alam niyang mahal siya nito. Ramdam niya