I just woke up pero bumungad na agad sa'kin ang text ng bastardo.
From:
[You have a deal to start your day with my sister today, so make sure you don't mess it up. It would be nice if you brought her some flowers and chocolates, but the rest is up to you to figure out what to do.]
Damn this bastard, makautos wagas. At ako pa talaga ang gagastos ah, iba rin. Nag reply agad ako sa kanya.
To:
[Fck you! Tell me where your sister and I should meet?]
Ilang minuto ang nakalipas at nakapag reply din siya.
From:
[I'll send you a text with the location, and I'll bring her there. Just prepare what you want to say to her.]
"Damn it!" 
Hindi ko na siya ni-reply-an at bigla-bigla na lang tinapon ang cellphone ko sa headboard ng kama ko.
I'm frustrated; I didn't realize it would be this difficult. I feel like I'll look foolish later if I don't know what to say in front of his sibling.
I've started to shower and get dressed for school. I didn't bother fixing my hair; I'm too lazy to comb it, and I didn't bother adjusting my necktie either. I don't care about myself; I'm about to be late, and I know I'll be greeted by our teacher's stereo-like voice again when I walk in.
I hurriedly ran down the stairs and went to the kitchen, knowing that my mom, as usual, is already at work. I saw nanang one of our maids here, who has been serving in this house for a long time—she's my mom's yaya back when she was still young and finally decided to stay with her when she has to move out from her parents' house. She's been here before I even existed. More likely, she became my mom's mother.
"Good morning po, nanang!" Bati ko sa kanya.
"Good morning din hijo, kumain ka na, malapit ka ng malate sa school niyo," sabi niya sabay lapag ng pagkain sa lamesa.
"Sige po, nanang, salamat." 
Kay nanang lang ako mabait, mas ramdam ko ang pagmamahal ng isang magulang sa kanya, hindi kagaya kay Mom.
"Walang anuman, sige na kumain ka na," 
I only lasted a minute after finishing my meal. I also informed nanang that I was leaving.
While driving on my way to school, I remembered what that jerk told me. Annoyingly, I had to buy the chocolates and flowers he mentioned.
I briefly parked in front of the mall and hurriedly entered just to buy those items. Luckily, I had some time not to be late.
Honestly, I had no idea what to buy, so I asked a saleslady to give me things that men usually give to the women they love.
She invited me to follow her to see and choose what to buy. She took me to a flower shop and asked me to pick. I was annoyed; I had no clue. I just grabbed some flowers out of frustration, not caring much about what I was giving, as long as I had something for her. Besides, all the flowers here seem beautiful, I guess?
I also asked her to give me three boxes of chocolates. We were in the choosing stage again, and as usual, I just picked randomly. All their chocolates here are delicious anyway.
Akala ko tapos na pero meron pang isina-ggest ang saleslady sa'kin na ibigay daw sa girl friend ko. I must admit that the term 'girlfriend' she used made me feel a bit uncomfortable.
"Sir, what if bigyan niyo siya ng stuff toy na ito?" 
I watched as she selected a plush panda toy, about the size of a pillow, perfect for snuggling with while sleeping. I smiled, I also have a soft spot for pandas, so I quickly grabbed one too. Then, it dawned on me that the panda I picked out would not be mine, that's why I ended up getting another one; they looked identical, like a pair of twins. I couldn't help but grin when I saw their cute faces, almost as if they were pleading to be hugged.
Shit, nababakla na ata ako.
"Sure po akong matutuwa ang girlfriend niyo kapag binigay niyo 'yan sa kanya, Sir. Ang swerte niya po sa inyo, napaka effort magbigay ng mga ganyan," Nakangiting sabi pa niya.
Napangiwi na lang ako sa mga sinabi niya, ang cringe pakinggan ng mga salitang iyon. Nakakakilabot. I just ignored her at pumunta na sa cashier, para bayaran ang lahat ng iyon.
I never imagined that everything I purchased would amount to such a high value; turns out that what I bought is quite expensive. That bastard really caught me off guard, and now I am struggling with the consequences. It's not that I regret spending my money, but because of him, it made things difficult for me.
After loading each item into my car, I drove towards school at high speed. I was fortunate enough to catch my teacher's class, whose voice was loud and clear, just starting. I didn't pay attention in class; I just slept until I realized it was already lunchtime.
I grabbed my cellphone as someone texted me. It was a message from the bastard.
From:
[Head to the field, it's not too crowded at the moment. That's where you should confess. I'll be bringing my sister there shortly, so be sure to arrive before we do.]
Hindi na ako nag reply at tumayo na para kunin ang mga bagay na ibibigay ko sa kapatid niya.
"Bro, tara!" Aya sa'kin ni Arjay, alam ko kung saan ang ibig niyang sabihin. 
"I don't think I'll stay around, I have to be somewhere else," I said in a flat tone before leaving. I could hear him rushing to catch up with me as I walked away.
"Where are you heading at and what are you going to do?"  
"Come with me and you'll gonna find out soon."
"Okay, sige."
I went straight to the parking lot and took what I needed.
"Sh*t Bro, why didn't you tell me you're already courting someone? I thought you were allergic to girls. Eh bakit ngayon may hawak-hawak ka ng flowers, chocolates and stuffed toy pa talaga huh?" 
I ain't gonna bother responding to what he's saying, I'll just keep walking straight.
"Bro, who's this girl? Ang lakas ng charms niya ah, isipin mo nakuha niya ang lalaking allergic sa mga babae? HAHAHA, I can't believe it, bro. Binata ka na talaga," 
"Shut your fcking mouth! Masyado kang maingay, para kang bubuyog na bulong ng bulong," I snarled at him. 
"Eh who's this girl ba? Sabihin mo naman sa'kin nang maging aware naman ako," Pamimilit niya pa.
"You will see later, just stay quiet there for now."
"Hindi ko magagawa 'yan, bro. Masyadong mahirap ang manahimik,"
"Tss!" 
I stopped talking to him and just continued walking. I don't know what to say to that girl, I don't know how or what I will do later. If this wasn't for the gang, I wouldn't do it, never in my life.
While walking towards the field, I couldn't help but overhear whispers.
"Hala! Si Keiron, may dalang flowers, chocolates and may stuffed toy pa talaga, waaahhh!"
"Ang guwapo niya tingnan while holding such stuffs,"
"He's so cuteeeeee, lalo na 'yung panda huhu,"
"Sana akin na lang 'yung mga dala niya,"
"Hala, kailan pa nagkagusto si Keiron sa isang babae at nagbalak na manligaw?"
"Ang alam ko allergic sa girls 'yan eh,"
"Oo nga noh,"
"Who's this lucky girl na nakasungkit sa puso niya?" 
"Ang swerte naman ng girl na 'yun, sana ako na lang siya huhu,"
"Baka ginayuma 'yang si Keiron kaya naman nagkaganyan?" 
"Ay oo nga noh, ang alam ko kasi wala siyang balak magkagirlfriend eh, pesti daw ang mga babae para sa kanya,"
"Whoever is that girl, she's lucky and unlucky at the same time, ang guwapo at hot nga ni Keiron napaka bad boy naman,
"Yeah, true,"
At marami pa akong narinig na bulung-bulungan ng mga babaeng mga haliparot na 'yun, but I just kept walking and ignored them until we got to the field.
"Bro, excited na talaga akong makilala 'yang babaeng 'yan," Dada na naman ni Arjay, "Sure akong maganda siya at sexy, ikaw pa. Once in a lifetime lang ito mangyari sa'yo,"
"Tumahimik ka nga, naiinis na ako sa malabubuyog mong boses, di ako makapag-isip ng maayos," Singhal ko sa kanya.
"Sabi ko nga, tatahimik na, ay sandali lapitan ko lang 'yung chix na 'yon oh," He stared at the woman not far away; I didn't respond and just ignored him.
I kept my eyes on Arjay and to the girl he's talking with while waiting. This guy is always into pretty girls, a real chick addict. As much as I'm allergic, he's equally addicted.
I glanced at their spot, but my mind was wandering. Unsure if the words I prepared for Z's sister are right or not. I have some phrases ready, but I don't know if they're appropriate. I might end up looking awkward later.
Minutes passed, and I saw three people approaching, two girls and a guy. I know it's them.
Hindi ako mapakali sa kinatatayuan ko, ano bang dapat kong gawin? Ugh, darn it, if only i hadn't agreed to the deal, i wouldn't look foolish right now. Gusto kong mag back out, hindi ko kayang humarap sa mga babae.
Nang makarating na sila sa kinapupwestohan ko ay agad kong tiningnan si Z at ganon din 'yung kapatid niya. Damn, I didn't expect Z's sister to be this beautiful, maganda nga siya sa picture na ipinakita sa'kin, but hell she's more beautiful in person. Diyosa ata itong kaharap ko ngayon. 
I coughed and hesitated for a moment. What's happening to me? Why am I thinking like this? May padiyosa pang nalalaman, nababakla na ata talaga ako.
But I won't forget what you did, girl, dirtying my car's window with sticky notes. I suddenly got annoyed at that thought. This is against my will, I'll regret doing this.
I looked at Z again; he nodded, a signal to give her what I brought, which I promptly did.
"H-Hi, R-Reynzie.." Damn, utal pa nga, "ah here, for you.."
Tinanggap naman niya ito at nakita ko pa kung paano siya mamula, ugh kadiri. Bakit siya namumula? 
"P-Para sa-sa'kin?" 
"Yeah," nasagot ko na lang.
"P-Pero bakit? P-Para saan?" 
I shifted my gaze towards Z, who was observing me intently. In response, he nodded again in approval. I promptly adjusted my posture and redirected my attention looking back at his sister.
"Ah may gusto sana akong sabihin,"
"Ano naman 'yun?"
"'Yung mga sticky notes, alam kong ikaw ang may gawa non,"
"H-Ha? A-Alam mo?"
Magsasalita na sana ako ng makarinig ako ng tikhim galing sa kuya niya, napatingin ako sa kanya at sinamaan naman niya ako ng tingin.
"Oo, alam ko, matagal na,"
"H-Hala, S-Sorry--"
"N-No, hindi mo kailangang mag sorry, actually gusto ko rin naman na palaging makatanggap ng mga letters galing sa'yo. Ngayon lang ako nagkalakas ng loob na sabihin sa'yo ito. I-I want you to know na matagal na k-kitang g-gusto, kaya ako nandito ngayon sa harapan mo p-para ipaalam sa'yo na matagal na rin akong may lihim na pagtingin sa'yo, and frankly I wanted you to be my girlfriend. Alam kong matagal mo na rin akong gusto, kaya wag na nating patagalin pa ito, gusto kitang maging girlfriend."
Napatingin ako sa bastardo ng marinig kong napaubo siya, sinamaan ko naman siya ng tingin. Sumenyas siya na wag nalang siyang pansinin.
Nagkatinginan ulit kami ni Reynzie at agad rin akong umiwas, hindi ko kayang makipagtitigan sa babae.
"S-Sandali, ba't parang ang bilis naman ng mga pangyayari. H-Hindi ko maintindihan, anong ibig mong sabihin? Gusto mo rin ako matagal na at gusto mong maging girlfriend ako?" 
"Y-Yes," 
Hell, ang cringe pakinggan ng mga sinabi niya. I want to spit out that I don't like her and I don't want her to be my girlfriend, but there's something at stake, so I have to do it.
"Ah ano kasi, Oo, matagal na kitang gusto at matagal ko ng pinangarap na maging tayo p-pero p-paano si kuya?" Sabay baling niya kay Z.
Inakbayan naman siya ni Z sabay tingin sa'kin pabalik sa kapatid niya.
"Don't worry, my princess, alam ko na ang lahat, nakapagpaalam na sa'kin si Keiron na gusto ka niyang maging girlfriend at naisip ko na," Tumikhim muna siya bago magpatuloy, "Na hindi naman ganon kasama ang ugali nitong si Keiron, pinatunayan niya sa'kin na kung gaano ka niya kagusto. Gusto ko ring maging masaya ka sa buhay mo, kaya heto pinapayagan na kitang maging boyfriend si Keiron,"
Gusto kong matawa at masuka sa mga sinabi niya, pero pilit kong pinanatili ang seryoso kong mukha.
"T-Talaga, Kuya?" Bigla niyang niyakap ang Kuya niya, "Thank you huhu, kaya mahal na mahal kita eh,"
Niyakap naman siya pabalik ni Z at hinalikan sa noo.
"Basta para sa'yo, you're my and I will do everything just to make you happy,"
"Pinapaiyak mo naman ako kuya eh," 
"Don't cry, your eyes are too precious just to shed some tears," sabay punas sa luha ng kapatid niya, "Oh sige na, aalis na ako, magkita na kang ulit tayo mamaya. For now just take your time together with your man,"
Ako naman ang napaubo, napatingin sila sa'kin pero ngumiti lang ako.
"Hala si kuya, wala pa nga eh, hindi ko pa siya sinasagot,"
"Well then, sagutin mo na siya para official na kayo. Sige na aalis na kami ni Rheanna,"
"Ha? Bakit pati ako? Nag-eenjoy pa nga ako dito—" Magrereklamo pa sana ang babaeng kasamahan nila ng putulin ito ni Z.
"Halika na, wag ka ng maging third wheel diyan, nagmumukha kang kawawa," sabay hila sa Rheanna daw ang pangalan.
"Iiwan niyo ako dito, kuya?" 
"Oo, alam ko namang hindi ka sasaktan ng lalaking 'yan, subukan lang niya," sabay bigay sa'kin ng death threat na tingin.
"Y-Yeah, ako na ang bahala sa'yo, R-Reyn..zie," muntik ko ng makalimutan ang pangalan niya.
"Mag-usap muna kayo, pag-usapan niyo 'yan," bilin pa niya ulit.
Hindi na niya hinintay pa na makasagot ang kapatid at agad hinila ang babaeng hawak hawak niya sa braso. Kahit kailan talaga walang awa ang bastardo, kita namang nasasaktan.
When they were out of our site ay saka lang kami nagkatinginan dalawa, umiwas ako at sakto namang nagpaalam si Arjay na kanina pa pala nasa likod ko na aalis na rin siya.
"Sige, bro. Mamaya na lang ulit tayo mag kwentohan, take your time with your girl," nakangising sabi niya sabay kindat pa, binigyan ko naman siya ng nakakamatay na tingin. 
When Arjay left, that's when Reynzie approached me; I wanted to step back and move away from her.
"Art, ano kasi," 
I get startled at the moment, did I heard it right?
"Art?" Taas kilay kong tanong.
"Ah hehe, Oo, Art kasi ang nakasanayan kong itawag sa'yo," Napapayukong sabi niya.
Nakakagulat, siya pa lang itong tumawag sa'kin ng ganon. Iba ang dating sa'kin ng pagkakatawag niya non.
"Yeah, don't worry. Ayos lang, wag kang mahiya,"
With a smile, she gazed at me, and her eyes also brightened. Her smile was lovely, and her eyes were slightly slanted, smiling too. I could only respond with a smile. I wish to end this situation asap; I want to run and go back to my room. I am not interested in conversing with this girl.
"S-So, ano na? T-Tayo na ba?" Tanong ko sa kanya.
Sagutin mo na ako ngayon na, para matapos na ito.
"Uhm, s-sige," Nahihiya pa niyang sagot.
"So tayo na nga?" 
"Oo?" 
"Bakit patanong ka sumagot?" kunot noong tanong ko 
"ay sorry," napapayukong sagot nito.
"So tayo na?" Jeez, wala na bang mas ikaka-awkward situation dito?
"Oo nga," Napapadyak na siya ng kanyang paa.
Tangina ano 'to, bata? Tsk! Weird.
Ano bang pwedeng gawin after ka sagutin ng babaeng niligawan mo? Bullshit, bakit kasi hindi ako nag research? 
Ewan ko kung tama ba itong gagawin ko, there's nothing wrong if..
I hugged her.
That I suddenly regretted after. Sana pala hindi ko na lang siya niyakap, niyakap niya ako pabalik at 'yung ano 'yung ano niya 'yung dibdib niya nararamdaman ko ang pagdikit non sa katawan ko na nagbigay kilabot sa'kin. Nanayo ang lahat ng balahibo ko, napalunok ako ng ilang beses, damn it! Gusto ko na talagang umalis sa pagkakayakap sa kanya, mali ang ginawa ko.
Inangat niya ang mukha niya para magkatitigan kaming dalawa. 
"Thank you," Nakangiting sabi niya.
"What for?" Takang tanong ko.
"For making this day special, thank you kasi napaligaya mo ako ngayon, sobrang saya ko,"
It's obvious, kitang kita ko ang saya sa mga mata niya. I give her a small smile.
"Tama 'yan, ngumiti ka lang palagi, mas lalo kang gumaganda," Nasagot ko na lang.
Kasi 'yun naman diba dapat ang gawin ko? Ang pasayahin siya?
My words made her blush, causing her to look away and eventually pull away from the hug. I am now feeling a sense of discomfort and embarrassment.
"Nag lunch ka na ba?" Pag-iiba ko ng topic.
"Oo, done na, kasama ko si kuya at Rhea kumain kanina, ikaw ba nag lunch ka na?" 
"Ah oo, done na rin kanina pa," Kahit hindi naman talaga, ayoko ng kumain nawalan ako ng appetite sa mga pangyayari ngayon.
We spent more than half an hour together, and during that time, she was the only one talking, while I only replied and nodded for response. I couldn't stay calm; all I could think about was getting away from this girl. Hanggang sa siya na rin mismo ang nagsabing babalik na siya sa room nila, as it was almost time for the bell to ring in a few minutes.