Prologue

"Ma'am Slaine, nandito na po ang delivery ng mga stocks para sa café."

Tumigil ako sa pagtitipa sa aking laptop at tumingin sa aking empleyado. "Sige Kriza, susunod na lang ako."

I turned my PC off and go out of my office. Nakaitim ako na square pants at fitted gray spaghetti strap top. Naglakad ako palabas ng café nang makita ko ang delivery truck na nagdidiskarga.

"Good morning Ma'am." Bati nila sa akin at nakangiting tinanguan ko sila bilang tugon.

"Sandali lang, huwag mo munang ipasok sa loob, Leo." Pigil ko sa aking empleyado. Tumango ito sa akin at maingat na nilapag ang box.

I have a cutter with me so it's easy to open the boxes. Isinuri ko ang isa sa produkto sa kada kahon na nakalapag. Nang makontento na ay doon ko lamang sila pinahintulutang ipasok iyon sa café.

"Ma'am, pakipirma nalang po nito." Tinanggap ko ang papel na inabot sa akin ng truck driver at binasa muna ito bago pirmahan.

Hinintay ko munang maubos ang mga kahon bago ko binalik ang papel sa driver at nag-abot ng isang libo. "Tip niyo po Kuya, paghatian niyo po ng isa mo pang kasama."

"Maraming salamat po Ma'am! Ang bait niyo po!" Napangiti ako sa naging reaksyon ng driver, kitang kita sa mata niya ang saya.

"Walang anuman po Kuya." Pumasok na ako sa loob ng café para ipagpatuloy ang naudlot kong trabaho.

Tatlong buwan pa lamang ang nakalipas mula nang buksan ko ang café na ito at hindi ko maitatanggi na marami ang aming naging customer, kaya pinapanatili ko ang aming stratehiya sa pamamahala para mas lalong dumami ang maengganyo sa café.

Sa kalagitnaan ng aking pagtatrabaho ay tumunog ang cellphone ko. Crezst's name pop up on the screen. I answered her call. "Hey, what's up?"

A smile crept my face when I heard her giggled on the other line. "I missed you, Slaine!"

"Then come here in Antique if you have time." I am hopeful that she'll say yes but I just hear her sigh.

"I'm sorry Slaine... I can't but I'll try."

"It's okay Crezst! Work comes first." I convinced myself that it's really okay. It's been years since I last saw her in person so I missed her presence.

"Anyways, do have time next week?" Kumunot ang aking noo sa tanong niya. "Yes, I have."

"Great!" She exclaimed and I let out a soft laugh.

"Why? Iimbitahin mo na ba ako sa kasal mo?"

"Wala nga akong boyfriend kasal pa kaya, Slaine?"

"Ay, bakit wala pa Crezst?" Taka kong tanong. Noong nag-aaral palang kami, hindi siya nawawalan ng nobyo. Maybe time changes everything, eh?

"I want to explore and travel around, alone. Sakit lang kasi sa ulo ang mga lalaki pero okay lang naman sa akin kung fling fling lang." Tumango-tango ako sa sagot niya. "Anyways, let's get back to the topic Slaine. May event kasi sa Iloilo next week, Helen's family will celebrate the successful opening of their Green Meadows and we're invited!"

"You'll come?" I asked as I glanced at my window. "Oo, makakapunta ako Slaine dahil dadalo doon ang boss ko. Makakapunta ka naman 'di ba?"

"Oo Crezst! I-text mo nalang sa aking ang eksaktong araw at oras."

"Sige. See you there Slaine! Love ya!" I smile widely as if she sees it. "See you there, Crezt! Love you too!"

Napatingin ako sa aking relo, oras na para magsara ang café. Ako ang nagsasara niyon habang si Kriza— ang empleyado kong in-charge sa counter ang nagbubukas.

Inilagay ko na ang mga gamit ko sa aking bag at inayos ang mesa. Kinuha ko ang aking helmet bago lumabas ng opisina. Wala nang katao-tao dito at ang mga dim lights nalang ang tanging nakabukas.

The chairs are perfectly arrange as well as the tables and decorations of my café. Pinatay ko ang dim lights gamit ng remote nito nang masara ko na ang café. Sumampa ako sa aking motor saka nagsuot ng helmet at mabagal iyong minaniyobra.

"Hi baby!" I level Chan's height and softly pinch his chubby cheeks. Sa tuwing maririnig niya kasi ang motor ko ay tumakbo ang batang ito papunta sa pinto para salubungin ako.

"Where's your Mama?" I asked him, he pointed where his mother is.

Inakbayan ko si Chan habang papunta sa kusina. "Shey, nasaan na asawa mo?" Napaangat ang kilay ko dahil hindi ko nakita si Norman.

"Pauwi palang po, Ate." Sagot niya habang isinasalin ang pagkain sa lalagyanan. Iniiwasan niya ang mapanuri kong tingin.

Akala niya siguro ay may hinanakit pa ako sa kanya. Ilang taon na rin ang nakalipas, but I think she still feel sorry about her mistake. Inaliw ko muna si Chan sa kwarto, I let him watch on youtube while I'm taking a half bath.

Nakakomportableng damit na ako nang makalabas ng banyo. I saw Chan's singing a nursery rhyme while looking at my phone. I tied my medium length hair into a messy bun, I come close to Chan and caress his hair softly. May ala-alang biglang pumasok sa isipan ko kaya natigil ako sa paghahaplos at umiling ako para maalis ito.

"That's enough Chan, we're going downstairs to eat dinner now." Narinig ko kasi ang ingay ng kotse sa labas kaya naisip ko na baka iyon na ang Papa niya.

I charge my phone before leaving the room with Chan. Tumakbo si Chan papunta sa dining room nang makita niya ang Papa niya roon. I can't hide the smile on my face while looking at them. A happy family, I'm happy for Shey because she have two men who loves her so much.

"Kumain na tayo, Ate." Tumango ako sa aya ni Shey at umupo na.

The next day, I didn't go to the café thus I go to San Jose to bought a dress I'm going to wear at the event.

I received a text from Crezst last night that the event will be on this coming Friday at 7 pm. Hapon na akong umuwi ng Rio de Janiero dahil bumili pa ako ng mga stocks para sa bahay.

The next following days are just ordinary cycle for me. Off to work, going home and play with Chan then rest.

Friday came and I'm now readying myself. I'm wearing a maroon off shoulder, paired with denim skirt and white sneakers. I put some light make up and wear a matte lipstick. Bumaba ako bitbit ang travelling bag at nadatnan ko si Chan sa sala na nanonood sa cartoon network.

"Are you going home tonight Tita?" Chan sounds hopeful while looking at the travelling bag I'm carrying.

Lumapit ako at humalik sa buhok niya. "I won't baby but I promise to give you pasalubong... what does my baby wants?"

Namilog ang mata niya sa pampalubag loob ko. "Toys, Tita! Many toys!" I nodded at him, the reason why he jump in satisfaction.

"Tita needs to go now, Chan." He nodded while continue watching. Akala ko nga iiyak siya kapag nakita niyang may dala ako travelling bag, aagawin sa akin kahit na hirap siyang ilayo iyon para hindi lang ako umalis. Maybe he let me go because he knows that I'll comeback with his new toys.

I decided to commute since I don't have a mean of transportation and I'm embarrassed to borrow Norman's car.

Pinili kong sumakay ng van para mabilis ang byahe, nagsuot nga lang ako ng face mask kasi nahihilo ako sa halo-halong amoy sa loob. Kinuha ko ang cellphone sa shoulder bag para magtipa ng mensahe kay Crezst.

Ako:

Hey babe, are you already there in Iloilo?

Seconds later, I received her reply, saying.... 'I'm not babe. My flight is at 4 pm together with my boss. Helen told me that she already booked a hotel room for us.'

Ako:

Okay, I think I'll just wait for you there. Anyways, can you send me Helen's number? I don't have her new one.

Nang maisend iyon ni Crezst ay agad ko ini-save sa contacts ang numero ni Helen at nagtext sa kaniya.

Ako:

Hey Helen, it's Slaine. Where are you right now?

Helen:

Hey mah girl! I'm already here at the hotel, checking if the preparation for tonight is done. Where are you now?

Ako:

I'm on my way there. See you and congrats to you and your family's success!

Helen:

Can't wait to see you! Thank you by the way!

Nakarating ang sinasakyan kong van sa Dalipi Terminal sa San Jose. May bumabang mga pasahero at sa labas nagbayad ng pamasahe. Naghintay kami ng ilang minuto para mapuno muli ang van bago tumulak pa-Iloilo.

Sinadya kong matulog sa byahe para hindi masuka kapag nasa pasikot-sikot na kaming daan. Mabuti nga at hindi nagalit ang katabi ko, sakaling napasandal ako sa balikat niya.

He's handsome but I didn't pretend to fall asleep just to lean on his shoulder. Hindi ako mapagnamantala kahit gwapo pa 'yan, hindi tulad ng iba. Naka-earphone siya habang ang tingin ay nasa daan na animo'y siya ang driver ng van. He's wearing a crew neck shirt while the sleeves has been rolled up twice and he pairs it with black jeans.

Napabaling ang tingin ko sa daan nang lingunin niya ako. I acted as if it's not a big deal for me but I saw a playful smile on his lips in my peripheral vision.

Nagulat ako nang nagpakilala siya sa akin nang makarating kami ng Molo Terminal. I'm not interested though I still shake his hand. I don't want to be rude.

"Slaine Amaris!" Muntik na akong ma-out of balance dahil sa pagsugod ni Helen para yakapin ako.

I've texted her earlier that I'm already here in Iloilo and she said she'll wait outside the hotel. And here she is, shedding a tear.

"Lalo kang gumanda Slaine! Si Crezst, kaya?"

"Gumanda si Crezst at ikaw din naman Helen! We have our own beauty standards, you know."

Natawa ako nang mahina akong sinundot-sundot ni Helen. Inakay niya ako papunta sa magiging hotel room ko habang nag-uusap kami dalawa to catch things up.

"So, ano'ng pinagkakaabalahan mo ngayon Slaine?" Napalingon ako kay Helen na ngayon ay nakaupo sa kama.

Matama kong tinignan ang emosyon sa mukha niya. "I have a café."

"Should I invest?" She offered.

A small smile crept my face, "Depends on you, Helen."

"Boyfriend, Slaine? Meron ka?" Umarko ang kilay niya at pawang nakakrus ang braso sa dibdib.

"None, " I deny but she nodded... unconvincedly. "How 'bout you? Do you have one?"

Ngumiti siya sa akin at masuri ko siyang tinignan. Mukhang meron nga. Sandali kaming natahimik hanggang sa tumunog ang cellphone ni Helen at dali dali itong napatayo.

"Maiiwan na muna kita dito Slaine ha? May aasikasuhin pa kasi ako sa venue. Let's see each other later, okay?"

"Sige Helen, unahin mo na muna iyon." I said then nodded like I was permitting her to leave.

Pumunta ako sa pinakamalapit na mall para mag-aliw at para narin makabili ng pinangako kong laruan kay Chan. He loves to watch Adventure Time so I bought him Fin and Jake toys and other stuffs he may like. Iniwan ko muna ang mga pinamili ko sa baggage counter para hindi ko mahirapan sa pagbitbit kung saanman ako dalhin ng mga paa ko.

I was busy watching the shoppers that I didn't notice the presence of someone in front of me.

"Hey we meet again!" Pamilyar sa akin ang boses kaya nang lumingon ako, isang awkward na ngiti ang naibigay ko sa kaniya.

Siya ang lalaking kasabayan ko sa van kanina. His name is Yohan. Naiilang ako kasi hindi ko naman siya kilala tapos ganito siya makaasta. Sa pangalan, oo pero wala akong tiwala sa lalaking ito.

"May kasama ka ba?" He asked in an approachable tone.

Napalinga linga ako sa paligid. "May nakita ka ba na hindi ko nakikita?"

Tinawanan niya lang ako. "Pero seryoso nga?"

"Uhm... I'm with... Uh... my boyfriend," I sucks when it comes to lying! But the good news is, I think it works on this guy.

"Ganoon ba? Sige, next time nalang ulit."

I sigh in relief when he bids good bye. Sa Mang Inasal ako nagpasyang kumain dahil sa unli rice at hindi nagtagal ay dumating na ang order ko.

I stopped for a while when I saw a familiar face. I blink twice but I think it's just hallucination or something. Why would he go here? The last time I checked he's a very busy person and seldom going home here in Western Visayas.

I spend my remaining time in window shopping. Kabibili ko lang kasi noong nakaraan kaya medyo gipit pa ako, but I intend to buy some pasalubongs for my employees and also for Shey.

I return to the hotel exactly five thirty to prepare myself for the event.

My room is two doors away from Crezst. Nagtataka nga ako kung bakit hindi nalang isang room ni-booked ni Helen dahil magbest friends naman kami.

I bathe myself and got out of the bathroom wearing a satin baby blue noodle strap dress with deep V neckline and a high slit. I curled the ends of my hair to look stylish and putted some light make up. I wear my silver ankle strap stiletto and an earrings that will suit my dress. I'm bringing my Hermès clutch with me, where my cellphone, cash, key card, and lipstick are being putted in.

Lumabas ako ng kwarto para puntahan si Crezst at tamang-tama naman na palabas na rin siya. She's wearing a rose pink flowy dress with crisscross neckline.

"Damn! Sana lahat may malaking boobs!"

"Malaki din naman ang sa'yo Crezst ah?" She weakly slap my butt so I glared at her and she doesn't mind it. "Maliit ito, iyang sa'yo talaga ang malaki."

"Enough with the boobs Crezst, it doesn't matter if it's big or small."

"Maybe I guess I was born to be flat... anyways, let's go?" She clung on my arms as we headed to the elevator.

My heart's pounding rapidly I glance at the man in his black three-piece suit walking towards our direction. My brows furrowed when a woman suddenly clung onto him. I quickly pressed the button of the elevator but before it closes, I saw him in my peripheral vision that he's surprised.

"Oh! That woman is a famous model!" Bahagya napasigaw si Crezst at pinandilatan pa ako ng mata.

"Oh really? I didn't know her." I scoffed. Of course, I know her! I'm just pretending that I don't.

"How come you didn't? She used to endorse that expensive Hermès of yours!" I just rolled my eyes of what Crezst's said.

I guess, I'll stop using you starting tomorrow, my Hermès.

"As in, hindi mo talaga siya kilala? That's Sienna Saachi Gallegos! 'Yung kabatch nila Carys!" Tumahimik lang ako habang si Crezst ay walang tigil sa kasasalita tungkol kay Sienna.

I've guess they're girlfriend boyfriend thing now?

I'm happy for them... but not totally.

We arrived at the venue and I was just silent. I don't know these people who are also invited in this event so I can’t just interact with them.

Helen accompany us to our own tall table but she immediately excused herself since they have so many guest to entertain, also with Crezst who's on her boss' side now.

The server offered me a glass of champagne and I slowly drank it.

Flashes of cameras are everywhere so I think some big people attended this event.

Nandito ako sa sulok, nakatingin sa mga socialites. I feel so out of place... I really don't belong here.

"Hi, I'm Ric." Napabaling ako sa lalaki. He's wearing a tailored blue suit and he offers his hand to me.

"Hello." I accepted his hand then shake it.

"Are you alone or you're with your friends?"

"I'm with my friends but they're busy having conversations with some socialites here," I said while playing with my wine glass.

"So, would you mind if I join you?" A friendly smile crept his face. I think he's in late twenties.

"I don't," I said in a friendly tone.

We talked about some casual stuffs like—where did we finished our studies, the course we've taken on college.

"Anong pinagkakaabalahan mo ngayon?" He sound interested. I awkwardly coughed a little when I caught him looking at my chest.

"Bagong bukas lang ng café ko sa Antique. Ikaw?"

"Hmm... café, that's nice! Well in my case, I'm the right hand of my father in our business."

Ah, mayaman.

"Slaine!" Sinundan ko ang pinagmulan ng boses, nakita ko na magkasama si Helen at Crezst na may nakakalokong ngiti habang papalapit.

"Hey, handsome!" Helen greeted Ric and started hitting conversation.

"Ikaw, Slaine. Hindi ka parin nagbabago kaibigan, mabenta pa ka parin." Crezst whispered on my ear then lightly poked my shoulder.

"Nagbago na kaya." She rolled her eyes on my answer. Inaamin ko namang gaga ako noon pero ngayon... may medyo nalang.

"It's our bonding time!" Helen exclaimed while a wide smile plastered on her face.

Napalinga-linga ako pero wala na si Ric na kausap niya kanina. Paano niya kaya napaalis 'yon?

"Stop looking for Ric, Slaine. That guy is a womanizer." Helen stated.

"Hindi ko naman hinahanap, Helen."

"Hindi raw." She look at me with malicious eyes.

"Never mind that Ric, babes! Nakita ko kanina si Clajj dito!" Singit ni Crezst.

Helen's eyes widened. "Sure ka diyan Crezst? Hindi ka namamalikmata?"

"One hundred one percent sure 'to, Helen! Proven and tested!"

"Hindi ka parin nakamove on sa pagka-crush mo kay Clajj, Helen?" Umangat ang kilay ko dahil parang nagde-day dream ang mukha niya ngayon.

"Crush mo rin naman siya noon, Slaine ah?" Natahimik ako sa pagsingit ni Crezst.

Inaamin ko naman iyon pero hanggang doon lang naman.

"Sinong makakamove on kay Clajj, Slaine? Look at him now, he's a successful engineer! Mas naging gwapo pa ngayon! Shupaps siya! Shupapi!" Helen voiced out and I laughed hard because she sounds so... Never mind.

"Wala ka na atang pag-asa doon Helen. I saw his ex earlier and she's a damn goddess!" si Crezst.

"I saw her earlier too but she's with... uhm." Hindi ipinagpatuloy ni Helen ang kaniyang sinabi at napatingin sa akin.

"What?" I curiously looked at them.

Sumimangot si Helen at iniba ang usapan. Then event started and the two were busy hunting for Shupaps! Hindi parin sila nagbabago sa gawain nila noong high school.

Iginala ko ang aking mata sa mga dumalo, lahat nga ng mga nandito ay mamayaman. I'm literally an outcast.

I think my inside were turned upside down and my heart is palpitating so fast when my eyes laid on him.

He staring at me with a stoic expression but I can't take my eyes off him. He became more handsome, even if I'm afar, his visual is screaming!

I shifted my weight on the table, I tried my hardest to steady my trembling knees.

He mouthed my name and my breathing hitched as he started taking steps towards my direction while looking at me intently.

"Rafus..." I barely utter his name as if he hears it.

My mouth left open when I saw him paused then afterwards, an amusing smile crept his face. He took out his phone then type something while his smile didn't fade his face.

I felt my phone vibrated inside my clutch so I took it out to look, in case it's an emergency. My body halted and my breathing hitched again when I read the message.

Unknown Number:

I'm glad you still remember my name.

Para akong natulos sa kinatatayuan ko, paano niya nalaman ang cellphone number ko? Bilang lang ang nakakaalam ng numero ko pero— damn he always have ways!

Umangat ako ng tingin ngunit hindi ko na siya makita sa direksyon na hinintuan niya kanina.

I jolted as I felt my phone vibrated again. I took it out and my eyes stared at that message for a long time, trying hard to understand but my dumb mind won't participate.

Unknown Number:

You and your enthralling beauty must take responsibility...