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Kabanata 13

"Are you sure about that, hija?" Tita Nat asked after we talked to Angelo's doctor for the briefing after his CT scan results got out.

"Yes po," I sighed, nodding. "It would be risky for Angelo if we tell him that this instant, right?" bumaling ako kay Tito Terrence na sumulyap saglit sa asawa bago humugot ng hininga.

"Yes," he said in a low voice, "his head might hurt. We should take this slow."

I can hear Tita Nat's soft sighs, she glanced at me and at his husband. "Kasalanan mo talaga 'to, Terrence." She snorted.

I saw how Tito's eyes widen briefly upon glancing at her, "what?"

"Karma mo, umabot sa panganay mo." Simangot niya at nang natawa si Tito ay mahina rin akong napatawa, naalala ang kwento ni Tita Nat sa ginawa sa kanya ng asawa dati.

"There, you laughed." Tita Nat uttered gently kaya nakagat ko ang labi ko at pinagmasdan siya. "It's okay, I'm just trying to make you laugh, Philie." She touched my hair, "it will be alright, okay? Angelo will remember you soon. I know it."

I was really thankful because his family and my friends are here while we're in this kind of situation. Sa totoo lang kasi'y hindi ko alam ang gagawin ko kung sakaling ako lang.

I might breakdown kapag ako lang mag-isa. Sina Nanay at Tatay ko nama'y madalas ang pagtawag para kumustahin ako at kahit papaano'y pinanghuhugutan ko iyon ng lakas.

Tomorrow will be better. Hindi man bukas talaga, alam kong gigising ako ng isang umaga na maayos na ulit ang lagay ng asawa ko at naaalala na niya ako.

"Here, Ate." Ang maliit na ngiti ay sumilay sa labi ko nang maglahad ng baso ng kape sa akin si Amber habang nakaupo ako sa labas ng hospital room ni Angelo.

"Salamat, Amber." Marahang sabi ko, medyo guminhawa ang pakiramdam nang malagyan ng init ang mga palad pagkaabot niya ng plastic cup.

"Welcome po," she flashed a sweet smile, I noticed a small dimple on the side of her lips and I knew right away she got it from Tita Nat.

"Dimples looks good on you, Amber." Puri ko, "alam mo ba, si Gelo, hindi masyadong halata ang dimple kaya ang misyon ko araw-araw patawanin siya para makita ko 'yong dimples niya."

Nakita ko ang paglambot ng mata niya sa sinabi ko, "I love you for my brother, Ate." She said, "Kuya's...Kuya's aloof of people, you see. Madalang iyang ngumiti, kung alam mo lang 'yong gulat namin ni Mom no'ng sinabi ni Kuya na magpapakasal na siya."

"Thank you," sinsero kong sabi, sumisimsim sa kape. "Masaya rin ako kasi ang babait niyo, actually hindi ko alam ang gagawin ko kung sakaling wala kayo rito."

"We're happy staying here with you, Ate." Ngumiti siya at sa kabila ng medyo malamig na mga mata ay nabakas ko ang sinseridad doon. "You bring the best out of my brother and the last thing we would do is abandon you, we're a family now—kahit 'di pa kayo kasal ni Kuya noon, no'ng nakita namin kung paano mo siya pinangiting gano'n ay parte ka na ng pamilya."

Nangilid ang luha ko roon, nahulog ata ang luha ko dahil sa pagsinghap ni Amber at pagpunas ng kung ano sa pisngi ko.

"OMG, Ate! Don't cry!" she gasped pero natawa lang ako at tumulong sa pagpunas ng mga luha.

"Sorry, Amber. Masaya lang ako." I said and she offered me her arms kaya marahan ko siyang niyakap, pakiramdam ay si Angelo na rin ang yumayakap dahil sa presensya ng kapatid niya.

She excused herself after a while and when I was alone outside, unti-unti akong tumayo para saglit na sumilip sa kwarto niya.

My heart tightened and I find it hard to breathe when I saw Angelo talking to Samantha. She's sitting on the side of the bed, I think she's saying funny things because she's laughing and Angelo too, tumaas ang sulok ng labi ng huli habang nakikinig sa kanya.

"I told you it's a bad thing letting her close to your husband." Halos mapatalon ako sa gitla nang marinig ang boses sa tabi ko, sa paglingon ko ay kaagad kong nakita ang mga kaibigan.

"Phoebe..." I called.

"How are you?" she asked, humawak pa sa braso ko kaya mabilis akong yumakap sa kanya.

"Ito, lumalaban pa rin." I said and sighed, hugging her tighter.

"Ayan, tama 'yan. Isa kang batang may laban." Napangiti ako at napailing nang makita sina Cairis na kasunod niya lang pala.

"Isa kang batang bonakid, Miss Persistent Awardee." Chance said playfully, flashing a small smile kaya lumitaw ang biloy niya.

"Asus, si Chance, papa-cute na naman kaya nagpapakita ng dimples." Biro ko at nagsitawanan sila.

Nang pakawalan ako ni Phoebe ay lumapit ako kay Cairis para yumakap din at kay Chance na kaagad na tinapik ang likod ko.

"Kumusta naman? I won't take an answer if you'll only say na ayos ka lang kasi hindi naman." Chance said.

"I'm not," sagot ko at maliit na ngumiti, "ang hirap lang kasing kumilos kapag gano'n ang kalagayan ng asawa mo. I mean, we just got married tapos..."

"Why is Samantha even doing here?" sabay-sabay kaming napalingon kay Phoebe na nakasimangot habang nakasilip doon.

"Hinahanap kasi siya ni Gelo," I explained.

"And you just let it happen?" tanong ni Cai, namamaywang na kaya napanguso ako.

"Did I have a choice?" I asked.

"Of course, you do," biglang lumitaw si Castiel na may dalang basket ng prutas.

"Tiel..." I called.

"You got a choice and it is to tell him about you, hindi 'yong aalis ka kapag pinapaalis ka." Aniya at nakita ko ang pagtango-tango nila Cai. "Namumuro na 'yan, ah? Pinalabas ka, ano? Kaya ka nandito?"

"Hindi...naman." Sagot ko, medyo nagbaba ng tingin. "I went out because they're talking and laughing, I can't stand it."

"Ikaw ang asawa, Philie." Kulang na lang ay tirisin ako ni Phoebe roon.

"We decided to take this slow for now, guys." I said, "Angelo's vulnerable, his condition might worsen if we forced him to remember. Sasakit ang ulo niya, ayaw ko namang gano'n and if ever, please don't mention it for now. I want him to remember me naturally."

Bakas ko ang pagtutol sa mga mukha nila pero alam ko namang naiintindihan nila ang side ko kaya tumango-tango.

"Let's go inside, sweet. Pukpok ko 'tong basket kay Mr. Yelo." Ani Castiel na humawak sa braso ni Phoebe pero napasinghap ang huli.

It was nothing new for me because they're together but when Cairis and Chance started coughing—in fake way—it made me confuse.

"I mean..." tumikhim si Castiel at bahagyang lumayo, "I'll go inside first." He said, walang salitang pumasok sa kwarto at doon ko na sinulyapan si Phoebe na nakatulala.

"Nag-away kayo—" nawala na ang boses ko ng tuluyan nang basta na lang takpan ni Cairis ang bibig ko.

"Shh..." Cai whispered at nakita ko ang pagsulyap ni Phoebe sa pinagpasukan ni Castiel bago tahimik na sumunod at nang mawala ang dalawa ay 'tsaka lang ako pinakawalan nito.

"Bakit?" I asked the two and Chance's lips protruded.

"We don't know what happened, they suddenly became like that." Ani Chance na nagkibit-balikat.

"Will they be alright?" tanong ko.

"Oo, keri 'yan." Ngiti ni Cai sa akin. "They'll be okay for sure, magulat ka na lang makikita mo nang naglalaplapan 'yan."

Namilog ang mata ko, humagalpak naman si Chance at ginulo ang buhok ni Cai.

"Bibig mo talaga, ano?" tawa niya, "but she's right, aayos din 'yang dalawa." Chance winked at me playfully kaya napatango na ako, iniisip na magiging ayos din ang dalawa mamaya or sa sunod na araw.

Pagkapasok naming tatlo ay kinakausap na ni Castiel si Angelo na nakikinig lang sa huli. There wasn't a glint of smile on his lips and I noticed Sam still sitting on the side of his bed, listening to Castiel saying things.

"Kiss mo dapat asawa mo," Cai whispered kaya nilingon ko na siya at pinalo, dahilan para tumawa siya. "Ito naman 'di mabiro," halakhak niya, "pero try mo."

"No, ano ka ba..." iling ko, "take it slow tapos bigla kong nilapa? H'wag gano'n."

"Luh, akala mo demure. 'Di mob a nami-miss ang kainan niyo?" she whispered back.

"Gaga..." I smacked her, chuckling audibly.

"Ang kulit niyo." Chance then placed himself in between us, nagbibiro siyang umakbay sa amin at nananakal kaya pinalo ko na.

Nagtawanan kaming tatlo roon, napapailing pa ako pero biglang natahimik si Cai at umayos ng tayo. Nagtaka ako, sinundan ko ang kanyang tingin at natikom din ang bibig nang makitang nakatingin sa amin si Angelo.

His forehead's creased, his lips were in the tight firm as he looked at me.

"Why are you here?" he asked coldly, stopping me.

"Huh?" I asked.

"I said, why are you here?" he asked, mas mukhang iritado. "And why are you with them?"

Kumalabog ang puso ko, hindi ko alam kung sa sakit ba o sa kaba habang nag-iisip ng sagot.

"Why not? She's your wif—" biglang naubo si Chance nang sikuhin ko ng malakas ang tiyan niya. I glared at him sideways kaya napakurap-kurap siya, nakangiwi pa rin.

"It's nothing," I told Angelo while he's staring coldly at Chance. "Napadaan lang. Uh, lalabas na lang ako—" hindi ko na nagawang humiwalay nang biglang may nagsalita.

"BFF ko si Philie, angal ka?" sabay-sabay kaming napalingon nang bumukas ang pinto.

My eyes widened a bit when I saw Blaze—Gelo's brother—entering the room. Ngumisi siya sa akin at kinuha ako kay Chance na nakaakbay para siya na ang pumalit.

"Blaze..." I called.

"You're what?" I noticed Angelo's stares on his brother darkened more.

"Philie's my friend, you can't kick her out of here." Laban ni Blaze at hindi na ako nakasagot nang dalhin niya ako sa sofa at pinaupo sa tabi ni Phoebe na mukhang gulantang din.

Angelo's eyes followed us and when our gazes met, my heart thumped louder. Tahimik ang buong kwarto, I even noticed Samantha looking at me with her creased forehead.

"Croo-croo? Bakit tahimik?" it was Castiel who broke the silence at nakahinga ako nang maluwag nang tumawa na si Chance at dinumog doon sa dalawang lalaki at doon lang nawala ang tingin sa akin ni Angelo.

"Did you notice the look on his eyes?" tsismis kaagad ni Cai pagkaupo sa tabi ko sa sofa.

"What look?" I asked her.

"Mukha siyang iritado kay Chance at Blaze," bulong niya kaya napailing ako sa kanila.

"Hindi, iritado lang 'yan kasi nandito ako." Sagot ko at bumuntonghininga.

"Loka!" napapikit ako nang bahagya akong itinulak ni Phoebe, "hindi kaya nagseselos?"

"Selos?" bulong ko. "Huh, impossible 'yan."

"Malay mo?" Cai whispered. "Hindi palasalita 'yang pinsan ko pero alam mo naman ang laki ng pinagbago niyan no'ng naging kayo. Malay mo, he can't remember you but his heart does. Baka sumakit ang puso."

"May amnesia siya, walang sakit sa puso, Cairis." I pointed out.

"Oo, may amnesia lang siya pero may pakiramdam." Ngiwi niya, "pustahan pa tayo, ilang araw lang umiiyak na 'yan sa selos? Gusto mo i-kontrata natin si Blaze?"

Namilog ng bahagya ang mga mata ko, napabaling ako kay Blaze na nakaupo roon sa gilid at nilalantakan ang mga prutas na dala ni Castiel, walang pakialam kung sa kapatid niya iyon.

"Ano? Game?" Phoebe sounded excited when she noticed me looking around pero nang bumaling ako kay Gelo ay nagulat ako nang nakatingin siya sa banda namin. Castiel and Chance are talking, Sam is in front of him but his eyes are on me.

Slowly, I flashed a smile, hoping he'd give me back one but he didn't have any reaction at all. Malamig ang mga matang umiwas siya ng tingin at bumaling kay Sam kaya nahulog ang balikat ko.

"Ano? Ano?" pangungulit ni Cai pero umiling lang ako ng bahagya.

"No..." I answered. "Kawawa naman ang asawa ko." I said at halos batukan ako ng dalawa habang dumadaing sa sagot ko.

"Oh, Phoebe, gawan mo na ng monumento ito dahil masyadong bayani." Ani Cairis kaya napailing-iling na ako sa dalawa.

Noong palapit na ang dinner, nagpaalam na silang paalis. Nauna si Samantha na humawak pa sa kamay ng asawa ko bago umalis, ni hindi ako nilingon para magpaalam kaya salubong ang kilay ko.

"Did you even talked to Samantha before allowing her to visit your husband?" Phoebe emphasized while I'm walking them towards the hospital's parking.

"She talked to Tita Nat," I answered. "Nakausap ko rin siya ng saglit and she...she told me she'll just be here while Angelo's recovering."

"But Angelo thought she's still his girlfriend, hindi niyo ba nilinaw pa?" Cai asked and I sighed, shaking my head.

"We'll tell him about that sooner, just not now. Dalawang araw pa lang siya simula no'ng magising at baka mabigla pa. Of course, kahit naman walang maalala ang asawa ko, asawa ko pa rin 'yan."

"Just a suggestion, Philie." Ani Castiel kaya nilingon ko siya. "H'wag mo sanayin si Angelo na hinahanap si Sam and that woman too, I saw how touchy she is with your husband. It's bothering me."

"What did she do?" I asked, ramdam ang sikip ng dibdib ko.

"She was holding his hand, always. I could tell Angelo right away to not let that woman do it but I remembered you saying not to force him and any way so I stayed quiet."

"I will talk to her," sabi ko. "I would make anything clear."

"You should." Chance said, "and you say, Angelo's remembering the days five years ago?"

I nodded and answered, "yes."

"That's why he's like that." He said kaya nagtaka na ako.

"Why? Anong nangyari?" takang tanong ko.

"Angelo's the worst during those times," he said, "remember, Tiel?" baling niya kay Castiel na tumango rin.

"Yes, he was stressed not just in the hospital but with Sam. If I remembered it right, during those times, his and Sam's relationship were in the rocks. That's when Sam's starting to act up and force him to party where she is. Mainitin ang ulo ni Samaniego noon niyan 'tsaka palasigaw, ni ayaw kaming samahan, he was trying to at least fix the relationship but it wasn't really working."

"But they seemed okay," I muttered, remembering Samantha's laugh and his small smile while they're together.

"Samantha's not acting up unlike what happened years ago," ani Castiel. "So, you definitely have to watch out for it, Philie. Advance sorry for Gelo's attitude, he just turned worst during the memories he's remembering now."

I was thankful because of their presence today, nagpasalamat ako at inantay ang mga sasakyan nilang makaalis at 'tsaka lang ako pumasok sa ospital para asikasuhin ang asawa ko.

I went to the nurse station first to remind them about my husband's meal at pagkapasok ko sa kwarto ay tahimik lang si Angelo, ang malamig na mata'y nakatingin sa palabas sa TV.

"Hello, gutom ka na?" I called him in my cheerful voice, trying to lift his mood up but he didn't even look at me.

My heart felt like breaking and squeezing but I didn't mind it much, gaining more patience instead for my husband.

"Sabi ng nurse mayamaya'y dadating na 'yong pagkain mo, antay na lang tayo." I said instead, smiling as I walked closer to him, settling on the chair beside his bed.

"Where's my girlfriend?" he asked me coldly, still staring nonchalantly at the television.

"Huh?" I asked, startled.

"I want my girlfriend, please call Sam." He said and I squeezed my eyes shot, pain was crawling up from my stomach up to my chest but I managed to stay calm.

It's okay, Philie. That's your husband.

"She...she left, kanina." I answered, thankful because I managed to hide the pain attached to it.

"What?" doon na siya lumingon kaya nagkatinginan kami, "Sam left?"

"Hmm..." I nodded, "'di ba, nagpaalam sa 'yo?"

His brows furrowed, hindi siya sumagot at sumandal sa pader, umiigting ang panga.

"With his friends, I guess." Mahina iyon pero dinig na dinig ko sa lapit namin. "She wasn't even here when I need her."

"But I'm here..." I said out of nowhere, huli na para mabawi dahil nilingon na niya ako.

"What?" his voice's chilling.

"Sabi ko...nandito naman ako." Sinabi ko na rin.

"Ano ba kita?" he asked again, the love on his black eyes before faded like it was never there. Right now, we're strangers.

"If I told you I'm someone special, would you believe me?" I asked and his eyes wandered on my face but later on looked away.

"I don't fucking know you." Sagot niya kaya nahulog ang tingin ko sa kamay ko, sa dalawang singsing na nakalagay roon, mula sa kanya.

"You...really don't remember me?" I asked and he didn't answer, madilim lang ang tingin niya sa pinapanuod kaya nakagat ko na ang labi. "Gelo—"

"Stop calling me Gelo, okay?" doon na niya ako nilingon.

"But I used to—"

"Shut up." He said, "I'm tired hearing your voice."

Napatitig lang ako sa kanya, nangingilid na naman ang mga luha pero nakita kong bumukas ang pinto at pumasok doon ang Nurse na may dalang maliit na planggana.

She smiled when she saw me so I flashed a smile back, walking towards her to take it.

"Are you sure you can manage, Ma'am?" she asked humbly and I nodded.

"Yes, don't worry. He's my husband." I said in a small voice, "and I'm a doctor, I can handle this."

"Thank you, Ma'am." She said and when she left, marahan akong naglakad patungo sa asawa ko.

"Gelo, punasan muna kita." I said, naupo sa gilid niya para abutin ang kamay pero mabilis niyang inilayo ito no'ng mahawakan ko, tila napapaso.

"Stop touching me." He gritted his teeth, stopping me from my tracks.

"Pupunasan lang kita," sabi ko, muling sumubok hawakan ang kamay niya pero inilayo niya iyon sa akin.

"I said stop touching me!" his voice growled, "where's the nurse? Bakit ikaw ang nandito? Sino ka ba, huh?"

"I-I'm a doctor," I said instead, "and I can do what she could—"

"Call Samantha." He demanded.

"Wala si Samantha—"

"I said fucking call her!" he exclaimed at ipinikit ko ang mata ko at humugot ng hininga, ikinakalma ang sarili.

"She left, okay?" paliwanag ko, "she's busy, she has other works to do and we can't wait for her, nandito naman ako, ah? Anong pinagkaiba?"

"It's her and you're just..." his forehead creased, "you!"

Parang may dumagan sa dibdib ko roon pero ikinalma ko ang sarili, "I'm a doctor, Angelo. She isn't here so I would do this—"

"I don't need you!" he exclaimed, startling me.

"Gelo..." I sighed and took his hand, "come on, pupunasan lang kita—" I was shocked when he moved his hand away from me. Sa biglaang galaw niya ay hindi sinasadyang nahawi ang maliit na planggana kaya tumapon iyon sa hita ko.

Napatayo ako sa gulat, natigilan din siya at napasulyap sa akin. I noticed something on his eyes, looking shocked for what happened too kaya tumikhim ako.

"A-ayos lang." I said, mabilis na tumayo, nagtawag ng maintenance para papunasan ang nabuhos na tubig at kinuha ang bag ko para sa bagong damit.

While I was doing that, I was aware Angelo's been watching my every move pero hindi ako lumingon, dumiretso na lang sa banyo para magpalit.

I sighed hard but couldn't stop myself from crying, my tears fell. Habang nakatitig sa salamin ay kitang-kita ko ang paghulog ng mga luha sa pisngi.

I looked stupid and weak but I have to be strong. Hindi na lang kami simpleng mag-boyfriend ni Gelo. He's already my husband so I have to take care of him, no matter what.

I washed my face to hide the fact that I cried and changed my clothes, sinigurado kong maayos ang itsura ko pagkapasok sa kanyang kwarto at nakita ang tingin niya kaagad.

Ramdam na ramdam ko pa rin ang sakit sa naririnig mula sa mga salita niya pero mas malakas ako roon.

They're just words...and I'm Philomena.

It wasn't my husband, Angelo would never...he would never say that if he remembers me. Hindi niya lang ako maalala, 'yon lang 'yon.

You should calm down, Philie. Mahal na mahal ka ni Gelo mo.

"They brought a new one." He said. Napansin ko kaagad ang bagong maliit na planggana roon sa gilid niya kaya lumapit ako roon bago bumaling sa kanya at ngumiti.

"Tatawag lang ako ng Nurse para dito." Sabi ko, tumalikod para magtawag sana pero kaagad akong natigilan nang maramdaman ang hawak sa pulsuhan ko, pumipigil para makaalis.

I immediately glanced back and saw him looking at me.

"Ikaw...ikaw na." He cleared his throat.

"Huh?" nanlaki ang mata ko sa gulat.

"Ikaw na magpunas sa 'kin." He said at natulala pa ako sa gulat noong una pero mabilis na tumango at naupo sa kanyang tabi.

My heart was pounding quick, nanginginig pa ata ang kamay ko nang pigain ang maliit na bimpo at inabot ang kamay niya para punasan. Unlike earlier, he didn't push my hand back.

Gently, I cleaned his hands and arms. Tahimik lang siya habang ginagawa ko iyon, ni hindi ako pinagtutuunan ng pansin pero sapat na iyong mahawakan ko siya ng ganito.

"Pwede ko bang..." I trailed off, watching his gaze shifting at me. "Punasan 'yong leeg mo?"

I was already anticipating a violent reaction from him but luckily, he nodded.

Masayang-masaya ako, my hands were shaking while I was cleaning his neck. I can see the small scratched he still had because of the accident kaya maingat ko iyong pinunasan.

"Mukha," I said, caught his cheek so he could look at me. Hindi ko siya tinitignan habang marahang pinupunasan ko ang kanyang panga at pisngi, napapangiti pa dahil sa visuals ng asawa ko.

"Gwapo pa rin kahit may sugat ang Gelo ko..." I said nonchalantly but stopped when I realized that.

I lifted my gaze and when our eyes locked, it felt like the world stopped.

His jet black eyes were looking at me, his forehead creased a bit. I noticed how the strange look in it faded as he stared at me.

My heart pounded loudly, naiwan ang kamay ko sa kanyang pisngi, hindi maputol ang tinginan naming iyon.

We suddenly heard a knock, napatalon ako at sabay kaming nag-iwas ng tingin at bumaling sa pintuan kung nasaan naroon ang naghahatid ng pagkain niya.

Kinuha ko iyon at kaagad na inasikaso, I sat beside him on the bed and I noticed him glancing briefly pero walang sinabi, nakatingin lang sa pinapanuod.

"Woah, it's beef." I said while glancing at the foods, "you liked this, right?" I asked and his gaze went down from the foods from my face.

"No." He answered pero ngumiti lang ako at marahang inayos ang tray. "Take it out, I'm not hungry." Pagsusungit na naman niya pero no'ng naalala ko ang titigan namin kanina ay binalewala ko na.

"No, kakain ka, Mr. Yelo." I said, inilalagay ang kanin at ulam sa kutsara at inangat para ipakain sa kanya pero nakita ang titig niya.

"What?" he asked.

"Sabi ko, kakain ka na." I said and moved the spoon but he remained looking at me with confusion.

"No, what did you call me?" he asked and I nodded, remembering it.

"Ah, Mr. Yelo?" I asked and smiled, "why?"

"Why would you call me that?" he asked, "we weren't close, woman. Whoever you are."

"'Di mo sure," I smirked, hinawakan na ang panga niya para ngumanga at kainin ang ibinibigay kong pagkain.

"No—"

"Isa, Dean Angelo." I hissed at napipilitang napanganga siya at kinain ang bigay ko. "'Tsaka anong 'di kilala? Ilang beses na nga akong nagpapakilala sa 'yo."

"I don't know you." He snorted.

"Philomena nga kasi," I said. "Ang Reyna ng Dinibdibang Lupa ng San Isidro! Na ngayo'y reyna na rin sa puso mo. Yieee!" sinundot ko siya.

"Fuck..." he cursed and glared at me, "you're fucking corny, woman."

Natawa ako, I remembered our first meeting habang inilalagay ko ang pagkain sa kutsara at inilalapit sa kanya.

"Corny ka riyan? Tuwang-tuwa ka nga sa corny na 'to!" tawa ko at sinubuan siyang muli pero ngumiwi lang siya.

"Shut up," he hissed, still munching on his foods.

"Philomena Dianne Suarez-Sama—" tumikhim ako bigla, "I mean, Philomena Dianne Suarez, babe na lang for short."

Bigla siyang nabilaukan, nanlaki naman ang mata ko at dali-daling inabot ang tubig.

"Santisima, sorry!" I gasped, watched him as he drank the water and after that, glared at me.

"May battery ba 'yang bibig mo?" he asked me coldly after drinking.

"Bakit?" I asked, my smile widened.

"Anong bakit?" he asked.

"Aba malay ko sa 'yo?" I asked in confusion, "ikaw 'tong nagpi-pick-up line tapos ako ang tatanungin mo?"

"Fucking what?" he asked, kunot na ang noo.

"Sabi ko, nagpi-pick-up line ka kaya sabi ko bakit—" natigilan ako, "ay, hindi ka nagpi-pick-up line?!"

"Fuck...where do I get myself into?" he closed his eyes, namilog ang mata ko at biglang napatawa.

"OMG, hindi nga!" natawa ako, "sorry, sorry, hindi na...pero bakit mo kasi ako tinatanong kung may battery ang bibig ko? Aba, malay ko bang hindi pala pick-up line."

"Because you're loud and annoying," he said. "Your voice keeps on playing inside my head, it's irritating."

"Grabe naman pala ang alindog ko," tawa ko at umiling siya, iritadong inabot ang tubig.

"Stop giggling, woman." He said, drinking his water while glaring.

"Anong woman? I'm Philomena or Philie, in short—future mo." I winked, "ay, hindi na pala future!" pinalo ko siya pero biglang nabuga na naman ang iniinom kaya napanganga ako.

"You..."

"S-sorry na, baka p'wede naman nating pag-usapan 'to, Ice Man?" I asked at nang samaan na ako ng tingin ng tuluyan ay pinakita ko sa kanyang nagsi-zipper ako ng bibig.

I remained quiet while happily feeding him, hindi naman siya nagrereklamo kaya masayang-masaya ang puso ko.

"Ayoko na," he said and shook his head after a few moments kaya bumaling ako sa pagkain niya. "Ang dami pa, oh? Busog ka na?"

He nodded, "pero sayang..." I trailed off.

"Then eat it," he said, glancing at me with his poker face kaya tumango ako.

"Okay!" I said and ate his food at nakita ko ang pamimilog ng mata niya.

"What the fuck?" he exclaimed, "I was just fucking kidding!"

"Eh? Naka-poker face mag-joke? Pangit mo ka-bonding, babe." Ngisi ko at pinakitang sinubo ko ang kutsara na pinagkainan niya.

"I fucking ate using that, woman." He pointed the spoon.

"And so?" I asked. "Makapagsalita akala mo 'di naglaplapan." Bulong ko sa hangin.

"What?"

"Wala..." ngiti ko, "sabi ko, ayos lang. 'Di naman ako maarte sa kutsara." I said and he sighed, naiiling na bumaling pabalik sa pinapanuod kaya nangingiting kumain ako sa tabi niya, nakikinuod din.

Wala naman siyang sinabing kung ano, he just let me eat his foods and we watched the sitcom in the television, chuckling at the funny scenes.

"Bagay sila," I said, pointing at the television before glancing at them pero para naman akong natuklaw ng ahas nang makitang nakatitig na siya sa akin.

When I saw his black eyes glancing gently at me, it was as if the pain was washed out and replaced with love and peace.

From my eyes, his gaze fell on my lips and when he lifted his hand and touched my cheek, my heart quickened.

I was hyperventilating, lalo na noong medyo lumapit ang ulo niya. I found myself closing my eyes, nang dumampi ang daliri niya sa gilid ng labi ko'y mas kinabahan ako at ipinikit ng mariin ang mata, waiting until his lips touched mine but moments later and none came.

Naramdaman ko ang pitik sa noo ko kaya nagmulat ako at nahuli ang ngisi niya.

"You're a messy eater, woman." He said and my mouth parted.

"A-akala ko..."

"Feelingera." He smirked, chuckling a bit and my eyes widened, amazed hearing him laugh again and it sounded like a voice from heaven.

He stopped upon realizing it, nakita ko ang paglalaho ng maliit na ngiti sa kanyang labi nang maabutan ang titig ko sa mga mata niya at mayamaya pa'y kumunot ang noo niya at napapikit.

"Fuck..." he cursed and touched his head.

Nagulat ako, mabilis akong napatayo at ibinaba ang plato, mabilis siyang inabot pero itinulak niya ang kamay ko.

"D-don't touch me." He sighed, bakas ko ang sakit sa kanyang mukha.

"G-Gelo..." kinabahan na ako, "a-are you okay? May masakit ba sa 'yo?"

"G-get out." Mariing sabi niya, mas sinapo ang ulo kaya nangilid na ang luha ko sa kaba.

"A-Angelo..." I tried touching him, "s-saan ang masakit?" but he pushed me, napasinghap ako nang tumama ako sa may lamesa sa ginawa niya.

"Angelo—" my voice was cut off when his annoyed eyes stared at me.

"Get out." He pointed the door, bakas pa rin ang hirap sa mukha.

"Gel—"

"I said get the fuck out of my room! I don't want to see you!" his voice roared and my heart ache, hurt upon hearing how the voice who once told me his vows ended up raising it while pushing me away.