Saving Harper

"Hi Xavier, nasa office ka na?" I asked suppressing a cough. I wasn't feeling too well pag gising ko. I had sore throat, sipon and I can feel my temperature climbing and my head was killing me. I can also feel na magkakaubo pa ko. Ano pa lord? "Good morning. Papunta pa lang ako. Bakit ganyan boses mo?" I could hear the traffic on his side of the line. Masyado pa ngang maaga for this call pero kailangan kong sabihin sa kanya.

"Masama pakiramdam ko e kaya di ako makabangon. Please cancel all my meetings. And I'm supposed to come to this book signing event so sabihan mo si Franco na sya nalang yung pumunta. And if you want to go, you can go with him. I think mag eenjoy kang makita yung book cover mo plastered everywhere." I smiled kahit hindi nya makikita.

"Aba, alam." Nararamdaman kong nakangiti din sya. Kasi his voice was filled with pang aasar. I reached out to my bedside table for the tissue box kasi lumalabas na sa ilong ko yung sipon ko. Gross.

"I read every page of the first print." Actually palagi kong nakikita yung pangalan nila ni Franco. Minsan I just assumed it was Franco's work, pero eto natatandaan ko kasi Franco mentioned it was done by his Art Director. Syempre I'm the impervious one dahil di nako nagtatanong kung sino yon after he mentioned it. I didn't even check the name. Bobs. E di sana pala alam ko na artist namin si Xavier Arnaiz. At di ako assuming na assistant ko sya. Pero feeling ko hindi din. I'm bad with names.

"Harper, are you sure you're okay? You sound terrible." Concerned filled his voice. It was actually sweet. Harper ganyan din naman yung mga kaibigan mo. Masyado ka lang disillusioned sa pagka gusto mo kay Xavier.

Feeling ko nagkasakit ako kakaisip na aalis na sya. Gusto ko syang pigilan. But para saan? Dahil gusto ko lang kiligin? My own kilig vs. his master's degree? No one in their right mind will even stay for something as mababaw as that. Harper, you're better than that. As someone so reasonable and determined of my future plans, I will never ruin anything for his own future.

"Trust me, I look much worse." I couldn't pull myself out of my bed so I probably look like a mess. I was planning to sleep all day, so who cares?

"Kumain ka ha. And take your meds." He sounded like a parent.

"Xavier, it's not my first rodeo in getting sick. Ipapahinga ko lang to and luckily by tomorrow, I'm well enough to go to work. Cancel mo nalang din yung meetings ko tomorrow just to be sure." Ngongo nakong nagsasalita. Sana lang naiintindihan nya ko.

I doubt that I can go back to work tomorrow with the way I sounded and sa pakiramdam ko ngayon. Pag nasanay akong nakahiga, baka ayoko ng tumayo bukas kung makakatayo man ako. Though I think Xavier's a pretty good motivation for me to come to work. Let's see.

"Okay boss, yun lang?"

"Yes. Enjoy the book signing." I said goodbye and ended the call.

I curled back to sleep. I'm never getting out of this bed.

Not long after, my stomach started to grumble from hunger. Ugggh. Human needs. Di ko maintindihan na tortured ka na nga dahil nanghihina ka na sa sakit, kailangan mo pang problemahin yung gutom. Kahit wala ka namang gana. What to eat? Ano pa nga ba? E di instant noodles with egg. Like all the time when I get sick. I struggled to stand up. And being bed ridden, it wasn't at all easy.

I hauled myself towards the kitchen. I groaned dahil naisip kong gagawin ko nanaman to mamayang dinner. Maybe I should just cook enough para yun na din yung dinner ko. Di ko naman to malalasahan masyado so ok lang if eat the same thing. Or maybe Grab? The thought of getting up to answer the door for Grab food is unappealing.

I started looking for the noodles packet. Shit did I even buy when I went to the grocery?

Nahihilo akong naghahanap sa pantry ko. Kung hindi ko lang kailangang kumain bago uminom ng gamot, ayoko ng tumayo.

Okay, wala. I think I need to order from Grab. I scrolled on my phone for the list of restaurants. Nothing is stirring my appetite. Actually, I had zero appetite. I groaned again. Ang hassle magkasakit.

I gave up. Ikakamatay ko ba pag hindi ako kumain at uminom ng gamot?

Maybe.

Oh the irony of having no one to take care of me habang yung buong pamilya ko mga doctor. Well ok lang na silaban ako ng lagnat mag isa dito kesa humingi ng tulong sa kanila.

Maybe I can just ask Liv to buy me some clear soup somewhere? Malapit lang yung office nya sa condo ko and messenger lang naman yung uutusan nya.

I called her.

"Hello?" She sounded annoyed. But malamang hindi sakin. Hindi iba yung stress for Liv since she works for a PR agency.

"Problema mo?" I asked.

"Wait, Harper?" She was making sure na ako talaga yung kausap nya. Well hindi ko din kilala yung boses ko e so who can blame her?

"Yeah. Anong problema mo dyan?" I repeated. I didn't need to point it out, alam na nyang tungkol sa work yung tanong ko.

"Madami. Pero I think mas may problema ka. What happened to your voice? Kala ko kanina lalake ka." Napairap ako even if she can't see me.

"I'm sick. Magpapabili sana ako sayo ng clear soup somewhere." I answered feeling my throat protest from all the talking I was doing.

"Saan naman ako bibili ng clear soup?"

"I don't know? Wala ba dyan around makati? Or kahit soup lang. Whatever soup." I was this alone. Kailangan ko pang utusan yung bestfriend ko na maghanap ng soup para sakin dahil may sakit ako. "Hindi to food court Harper. But I'll see what my officemates know. I'll call you for the menu maam." She mocked me. "Thanks Liv." I croaked.

"God you sound really awful, Get Strepsils or the one you gargle? Orahex! Sige na I'll ask around here" She hung up.

Yeah as if may lakas pakong lumabas para bumili non. I need to rummage around for medicines. And yun na yung next kong gagawin, moving like a grandmother. Or maybe slower. Maybe I should call Hilda so she can send some maid over? Si Hilda naman yon. Baka sya pa yung pumunta to check on me.

I'm beginning to think I can't do this alone. Ang sad naman ng buhay ko. That if I die here, I'll be all alone. Bukas pa nila ako mahahanap. I'll be rotting for a day. OA. Onset lang naman ng rigor mortis yung mangyayari. But still sad nonetheless. In the middle of crossing the distance between my kitchen and bedroom for the meds, my doorbell rang kasabay ng phone ko. It was Liv.

"Hello?" Answering my phone as I dragged myself towards the door kasi whoever this is, nagdoorbell ulit.

"Okay madam, eto yung menu mo. Mushroom soup, bulalo, sinigang, and wanton noodles." She enumerated. Mushroom soup kinda sounds nice. Kahit hindi ko malalasahan. "Hang on Liv, there's someone at the door." Hindi ko sure if naintindihan ni Liv yung mga sinabi ko. My voice sounded like a frog with a blocked nose trying to talk.

I opened the door and nagulat ako to find Xavier standing in front of my door with a lot of bags in his hand.

"Bakit ka nandito?" Not that I'm not glad he's here para hindi ako mag isang mamatay, but he was supposed to go to that book signing event with Franco like I said.

"No offense pero you didn't sound too great sa phone. At mas lalu na ngayon. Kaya naisip ko mas kailangan mo ko dito" I think mas kailangan kita sa buhay ko.

I stepped aside to let the smiling Xavier inside my condo. My heart started making cartwheels. Hoy Harper baka mahimatay ka pa dyan sa kilig may sakit ka na nga e. I can't die ng ganito ka-panget lalu na dahil ang gwapo ni Xavier ngayon. No use na maconscious pa ko sa itsura ko dahil nandito na sya e. I think I look like shit. "Liv I'll call you later. Thanks for your soup menu." Sabi ko kay Liv. "Wait! Is that your fake boyfriend?" Pinigilan nya muna akong ibaba yung phone. "Bye, Liv." Ayoko ng sagutin yung tanong nya.

"May dala akong pagkain at gamot." He placed the paper bags on top of my kitchen counter. Napatakbo din ako sa counter to get tissue kasi sakto Napa bahing ako. Sumakit yung ulo ko dahil sa pag bahing ko.

This is such a turn off pero wala talaga akong magagawa. Hinimas ni Xavier yung likod ko and nilagay nya yung isang kamay nya sa noo ko. I shuddered at the contact. Or baka naman sobrang init ko lang talaga at malamig yung kamay nya? "Ang init mo! May thermometer ka ba?" He looked at me habang nagpupunas parin ako ng ilong ko. It took a while for me para isipin kung may thermometer nga ako. Ngayon nalang ulit kami naging ganito kalapit. "Meron yata ako sa kwarto?" Kailangan ko pang umiwas sa kanya kasi naalala kong hindi pako nakakapag toothbrush. OMG ka Harper! In my defense I wasn't expecting anyone at all.

"O sige pumunta ka muna sa kwarto mo, aayusin ko tong pagkain mo and kunin mo yung thermometer tapos humiga ka na. Hintayin mo lang ako. Pasok ako pag tapos ko dito." He ordered me. Nakatingin parin ako sa kanya habang nilalabas nya yung mga dala nya, I couldn't believe he's here. And he's going to take care of me. Naramdaman nyang nakatingin parin ako sakanya.

"Harper, gusto mo bang buhatin pa kita papunta sa kwarto mo? It's not going to be the first time anyway." He smiled widely. I made a face at him and turned around. Na pinagsisihan ko kasi malamang mas lalu akong pumanget since mukha nakong sabog for sure.

I went in my room. But instead of looking for the thermometer, pumasok ako sa bathroom ko. I hesitated kasi it's not the best idea to take a bath ng nilalagnat ako, so nagtoothbrush, nagsuklay, hilamos and nagpalit nalang ako ng damit. This is the most decent appearance I can show him. Namumula parin yung ilong ko kakasinga at singot.

Sa lahat pa talaga ng oras na pupuntahan nya ko, ngayon pa kung kelan ako mukhang gusgusin.

Nahanap ko na din yung digital thermometer ko and I went under my covers to wait for him tulad ng sinabi nya.

I felt like a child.

After a while, pumasok sya carrying a bed tray that I didn't know I even have. It had a bowl which I assumed was soup, crackers, and water. Nung binaba nya sa tabi ko, it also had medicines. Natawa ako kasi ang dami. I think nanghula sya kung anong sakit ko.

I handed him the thermometer kasi he held out his hand at me. Alam ko naman that he wasn't asking for my hand. Hindi nako nag feeling.

He leaned in and aimed it on my forehead. He tsked. "39. 1 buti naka tayo ka pa." He looked stern. Again, I felt like a child.

"E sinong magpapapasok sayo? Next time kukuha ako ng aso na marunong magbukas ng pinto." I sarcastically told him.

"Something tells me na nandun ka na sa labas bago pa ko nag doorbell." Inirapan nya ko. "Uminom ka na ng gamot? Di ko alam kung bakit pa ko nagtatanong e alam ko na yung sagot." He continued and I looked guilty so ngumuso nalang ako.

Alam na nyang di nya ko kailangan sermonan dahil kung ano mang sasabihin nya totoo. "Pero nakapag palit ka pa ng damit no? Priorities." He lightly laughed nung napansin nya yung suot ko. Di nako nagreact. Feel na feel naman nya. Kinuha nya yung soup bowl and yung spoon, mixed it around habang hinihipan nya. "Saan mo nabili yan?" Sinilip ko when I adjusted myself into a sitting position para makakain ako. It's mushroom soup.

"Around." He simply answered. He took a spoonful and hinipan din nya and tinikman ng konti. "Di ko alam na ikaw pala kakain." I joked. Naramdaman ko nanamang nagugutom nako talaga.

"Baka may lason e." He sniggered and took another spoonful and hinipan nya ulit. Then nilapit nya sa bibig ko. OMG pakakainin nya ko! "Xavier I think I can feed myself." I sounded hoarse. Ewww. What a voice to have in front of the guy you're crushing on. Tumigil ka na Harper nakita ka nga nyang lasing na lasing at nagsusuka. Wala ka ng dignidad sa harap ng taong to.

Tinaasan nya ko ng kilay. Ayaw magpatalo. So I opened my mouth slightly para higupin yung soup na nalasahan ko naman ng konting-konti. Inabot din nya yung platito na may crackers. I took one and nibbled on it.

"Hindi ka gagaling sa ginagawa mong pag kain." Sinimangutan nanaman nya ko.

Naisip ko kung ilan ang may assistant na ganito yung ginagawa sa kanila? Baka ako lang. Pero ibang klase namang assistant si Xavier. He's my friend. Lang. Sige Harper diin mo pa para maging miserable ka pa. Okay na nga na friends kayo e. After thee more mouthfuls of soup he fed me, parang ayaw ko na. "Okay nako." I declared bago pa sya sumandok ulit sa soup na parang hindi nabawasan. "No." Nagulat ako sa sagot nya. Ay ang strikto ni architect.

"Anong 'No'?" Napakunot ako ng noo. If nandito si Franco, pagtatawanan nya ko kasi bihirang mag 'no' yung mga tao sakin. Well, this is Xavier. He's the only one who can reject me. "No. Uubusin mo to." He declared. I groaned and gave him a sour look.

"Hindi mo ko madadaan sa ganyan Harper." I wanted to protest kaso magmumukha lalu akong bata na nag tatantrums.

He decided to distract me para di ko binibilang kung nakakailang subo nako. "Ano bang nararamdaman mo bukod sa lagnat at sipon?"

"Masakit ulo ko, my throat feels like may kumakaladkad na steel brush against it, my eyes are droopy, my nose is a broken faucet, at pag nagka ubo pa ko, I'm a walking epidemic."

"Very graphic." He nodded slowly with a smile and offered another spoonful of soup for me to eat. Tumingin naman sya sa cracker na hawak ko lang at kinagatan ko nanaman. He can say so much with just a look. Minsan nga lang di ko alam yon. "Kakasabi ko lang na sobrang sakit ng lalamunan ko pinipilit mo pakong kumain nito." I pouted and held up the cracker.

"Kailangan mo po kasi ng solid food, miss. Kaya mo ba ng cheeseburger?" Siguro natitigasan na sya ng ulo sakin. "O gusto mo bang ibabad ko yan sa tubig para lumambot?"

"Ewww." I scrunched my face imagining it. Natawa sya.

"So anong gagawin mo dapat kung hindi ako dumating?"

"Nag attempt maghanap ng instant noodles. E wala. So iniisip ko nalang kung ikakamatay ko if di ako kakain or iinom ng gamot." He looked at me disapprovingly sa mga sinabi ko. He's not doubting na yun talaga yung gagawin ko. "Bakit di mo nalang sinabi sakin nung kausap mo ko kanina?" He said gently. My stomach was in knots and hindi dahil nasusuka ako sa kinakain ko. I bit my lip baka may masabi pa kong katangahan. "You're busy." I said in a small voice and tried to finish my soup fast to prevent myself from saying anything else. "I'm not busy for this." He shrugged and nilagay nya yung bowl sa tray napapikit ako sa kilig.

"O diba hindi naman mahirap kumain. Very good, baby. Susunod ka naman pala e." He kidded habang hinahanap nya kung anong gamot yung dapat nyang ipainom sakin. And handed me Tylenol, Decolgen and Vitamin C.

He watched me drink it as if itatago ko yon somewhere para hindi inumin. After, umalis sya dala-dala yung tray. I did feel better pagkakain ko.

Bumalik sya sa kwarto ko and umupo sa tabi ko, removing his sneakers leaving his socks on. "Matulog ka na." He said it na parang inuutusan nanaman nya ko. I chuckled.

"Ang hirap mo din palang maging tatay no?" I slid down para pumwesto pahiga.

He bit his lip and smiled na parang may pinipigilan din syang sabihin. "Magpahinga ka na." Yun nalang sinabi nya.

"Di ako makakatulog ng nandito ka." I said. Ay weh. Ilang gabi mo na nga ulit syang napapanaginipan? Almost every night.

"Sus. Wala ka naman problemang matulog katabi ako." He laughed playfully. Gago. He's going to keep using that over and over again.

"Oo na ikaw na ang pinaka masarap katabi matulog." I rolled my eyes. Oooppppsss. Did I say that out loud?

"Ano? Di ko marinig masyado yung sinabi mo." He leaned his ear in my direction. Gusto lang nyang ulitin ko. I reached and pulled at his earlobe and natawa sya sa ginawa ko. "Alam ko na, yayakapin nalang kita para mas mahimbing tulog mo." Ugggghhh I hate this. Alam kong nangyari yon. Hindi kasi sya sinungaling.

"Wag na. Mahawa ka pa sa sakit ko." I retorted.

"Uuuuuyyyy pero gusto nya." He started teasing me in a singsong tone. Tangina. I made a face kasi hindi ako makasasgot. Parang tanga lang. "Uuuuuyyyyyy di nya madeny." He continued sa pangaasar. Bwiset. Di ko naman din kasi maintindihan kung bakit hindi ko madeny. "Gago." Weak denial.

He just laughed a little.

"Di ka dumaan sa book signing?" I asked looking upwards to him.

"Alam mo Harper, bilib na bilib ako sa kakayahan mong mag change topic. You should put that in your resumé as a special skill." He looked at me full of amusement. "Haha. I thought I was the sarcastic one."

"Ilagay mo na din yon." His amused smile was still on his face.

"Cute." I scowled.

"Linya ko yan." He said in a matter of factly tone.

"Bakit..." I trailed. Di ko na tinuloy kasi malamng lolokohin nya ko.

"Bakit di ba ko pwedeng maging cute?" Pang asar nya. Sabi ko na nga ba yan ihihirit nya. Di ko na nga tinuloy but he still managed to throw it right back at me. Smart ass. "So curious nga ako, bakit hindi ka dumaan dun sa book signing?" Binalik ko dun sa tanong ko.

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"Siguro naman mas importante ka kesa don." Napangiti ako sa sagot nya. Nagwawala nako sa kilig deep inside. We may be friends right now pero sabi ko nga wala nakong control pag dating sa nararamdaman ko sa kanya.

"Okay, wag ka na masyadong kiligin dyan, matulog ka na." His tongue played on his lips but he wasn't challenging me to deny what he said. Bwiset. Am I really that transparent? But he already knows nga pala, dahil nakita nyang tinapon ko yung magazine na may pagmumukha ng ex nya.

"Hindi na nga ako inaantok e." ;Not when he's here.

"Wag ka na maconscious sakin Harper, narinig na kitang humilik." Ohmygod! Nanlaki yung mata ko.

I looked horrified at what he said.

"Wag ka mag alala, cute naman. Parang natutulog na baby dinosaur." Biniro nya ko and kinurot ko sya sa braso nya. Kahit na sandali palang kaming magkakilala mas madami na syang hawak na pang blackmail sakin. "Ow." Lumayo sya ng konti. "So anong gusto mong gawin kung hindi ka matutulog?" He asked me playfully.

"Magbasa sana ng email pero feeling ko may magpoprotesta."

Inirapan nya ko. "Ang plano ko ngayong araw na to pagalingin ka, so don't ruin my plan."

"Ikaw anong gusto mong gawin?" I just asked him. As if naman ang dami kong pwedeng gawin e hindi nga ako makabangon.

"Gusto mo ba talagang malaman yung sagot dyan?" He looked at me mischievously. My heart stopped. As hundreds of assumptions filled my mind. Tangina Harper, you are so out of your league here!

I sneered at him. Kasi once again, hindi ako makasagot sa kanya. Kinakabahan lang ako sa mga sinasabi nya. Madumi lang ba utak ko?

"I thought so. Sige, let's do Top Threes." He placed both of his hands behind his head, getting comfortable on my bed. I propped my head up with another pillow para di ako masyadong mababa. Actually just so I can see his face. "Ano yun?" I didn't pretend I know what he was talking about.

"Top 3 answers mo sa mga tanong. I'll ask first then pareho tayong sasagot then ikaw naman magtatanong. Ganun lang." Well it was easy enough. Wag lang nyang itatanong kung sinong crush ko or sinong mahal ko. Matutulog nalang ako. "Okay sige. Ikaw muna magtanong." I said agreeing with his activity.

"Sige dalian muna natin. Top 3 favorite food." Medyo kinabahan ako agad nung sinabi nyang dadalian. So aabot ba kami dun sa mahihirap sagutin? Pero ang maganda dito, pwede akong gumanti. But I don't think I was observant enough. Siguro I just need to be creative.

I love lots of food. "Cheeseburgers, pizza, and rice."

"Rice?" He looked at me, puzzled.

"Oo, kanin. Kasi it goes with every ulam. Pag nagtatravel ako, I always miss rice lalu na pag sa country na walang rice." Medyo weird ba yung rice? "Expected ko ulam yung sasabihin mo e. Pero kung yun yung trip mo." He smiled thinking about my answer. "Ako hmmm. Adobo, sisig, at kare-kare." "Paano pag nasa Washington ka na?"

"Marunong naman ako magluto. Okay your turn to ask." Wow I didn't know that he could cook.

Dahil namention ko na kanina, "Top 3 places na napuntahan mo na."

"Easy. Tokyo, Iceland, and Spain."

"I love Spain. Ako, London, Edinburgh, and Florence."

"Lahat yun di ko pa napupuntahan." He said thoughtfully. "Top 3 food na hindi mo kakainin kahit anong mangyari?" He started again.

"Bakit puro pagkain yung tinatanong mo?" I frowned at him. Ay ano bang gusto mong itanong nya sayo? Top 3 na mga gusto mong sabihin sa kanya?

1. I like you Xavier.

2.

I really really like you.

3. I think i'm already in love with you. Sorry. Pakibura yung 'I think'.

"Yan palang naiisip ko." He chuckled. Wag ka na magreklamo Harper, I'm sure he's just warming up. Patay ka sa mga nakakahiyang tanong nyan mamaya.

"Okra, balut, at palaka. Gross." I answered. Matagal ko na tong naisip.

"Masarap yung palaka."

I made a face. "Sabi nga nila but I'm never trying that. Your answer?"

"Honey, kasi may allergies ako don." Sinong may allergies sa honey? And for a while there I thought he called me honey. Ay asado. Dapat nilagay mo yon sa favorite food mo Harper. Tutal yun palagi mong kinakain lately. Or hopia. "Yung mga

fried na insekto." Yuck di ko nasama yon. "Century egg." He shuddered at his choices. Kahit ako di ko kakainin yung mga choices nya, well except yung honey.

"If hindi ka artist or architect or photographer, anong ginagawa mo ngayon?" I'm curious sa isisagot nya.

"Magsisimula ako ng banda." Parang hindi na din nya pinagisipan yung una nyang sasgot. Bagay sa kanya. May rockstar vibe sya sa mga porma nya sa office e. "Do you play any instrument?"

"Oo naman. Gitara saka bass." This person is way too talented. Sana all.

"Professional basketball player." Gusto nya talaga non as he mentioned nung nanood kami ng basketball game. "Or piloto."

"Don't tell me marunong ka din magpalipad ng eroplano." ;I looked at him, probably gulat.

"Pwede namang pag aralan yun Harper." He eyed me.

I had to think about real hard kung anong isasagot ko. Di kasi ako talented. ;"Ang hirap pala ng tanong ko. I've always wanted to work sa publishing house pero sige. Siguro teacher sa mga bata. Preschool para cute pa sila. Or sa advertising agency." "Naiimagine kitang teacher. And napapaligiran ng bata. Siguro di ka masungit don." He beamed. Baka nga. "Top 3 places you want to visit." He said.

"Hmmm. Iceland, dahil nainggit ako sayo. Morocco, and Maldives."

"Africa, Amsterdam, and Brazil." Ang bilis nanaman nya sumagot. I thinks he's done this before.

"Pinaka nakakahiyang nangyari sayo." I asked. This is nice. Kasi nakikilala ko na sya.

"Naospital ako non dahil sa dengue, tapos kailangan ko na talaga mag CR pero wala yung pamilya ko so wala akong choice. Ang nag assist sakin yung nurse. Na babae! Parang napaka helpless ko pa non kasi naka dextrose ako e. Take note, college nako non." Natawa ako sa sinabi nya kasi naiimagine ko. Kinurot nya ko sa tagiliran dahil tumatawa nako. "Second one, nasukahan ko yung kotse ng kadate ko kasi lasing ako, sobrang mukhang tanga yon at di na sya ulit sumagot sa mga text ko. Tapos yung last sa date ulit, pero hindi parehong babae ha. May kinain kami, ang tanga ko hindi ko inalam kung ano yung nandon sa kinakain namin. Daldal ako ng daldal sakanya, yun pala namamaga na yung buong mukha ko kasi may honey dun sa kinain ko. Ikaw? Kesa tumatawa ka lang dyan."

"Nung highschool ako may sobrang crush ako na guy, tapos sinama nya ko sa basketball game nila once sa ibang school pero nilibre nya muna ako ng ice cream, so syempre kilig na kilig naman ako. Tangina, sa sobrang kilig ko, nadulas ako sa hagdanan sa harap ng madaming tao tapos yung ice cream nagkalat sa damit ko. Umuwi nako non agad." Xavier started chuckling and sinamaan ko sya ng tingin. "Yung next, nasa Singapore kami nila Liv at Jem, tapos naginuman kami. Yung hotel na pinagstayan namin malayo kung saan kami uminom so we had to ride buses. Super late na so parang last trip na. E naiihi nako from all the alcohol na ininom namin. Sobrang hindi ko na kaya, so yung next stop, bigla nalang akong umexit sa bus and sumunod sila Liv then umihi ako sa part na madaming halaman. Buti nalang late na non at walang nakakita sakin. The three of us had to walk all the way sa hotel kasi nga wala ng bus." Tangina pag naalala ko yun napapacringe ako. "Yung last, diba mahilig ako manood ng basketball? I usually score ringside tickets. So nanonood nga ako, tapos yung bola nahagis bigla sa may area namin tapos may player na biglang tumalon papunta sakin para habulin yung bola so nadaganan nya ko. Ang nakakahiya don, it was aired on TV. Nung pinanood ko yung replay, tangina pinaulit ulit pa yung scene at sobrang tanga yung facial expression ko." I groaned. Natawa sya. "Anong game at year yan? Gusto kong mapanood."

"No way I'm telling you!" I'd rather eat okra.

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"May google naman." Inasar nya pa ko.

"Don't you dare!" I glared at him. Di ko alam kung magoogoogle yon or mahahanap nya, most probably oo. Pota.

"Top 3 turn-ons." He pushed the insides of his cheek while smiling playfully.

"Pota sa sex ba yan?" ;Nahiya ako with what I blurted out so sinundan ko ng ubo na OA.

"Ikaw kung gusto mong dun na agad tayo." He grinned at my fake cough. Tangina Harper para kang tanga. Pwede kasing turn-on lang as in saan ka attracted. Sex agad??? Napapaghalata ka masyado! "Matalino, mabait, funny." ;I easily answered.

"Yun oh. Lamang pa ko kasi gwapo din ako." Umirap ako pero deep inside sobrang kinikilig ako. Sya naman kasi talaga yon. Jusko Harper.

"Ikaw ano?" I asked impatiently.

"Excited kang malaman kung magfifit ka don?" ;He gave me a boyish smile.

"No. Asa ka naman." It was a weak retort kasi tama sya.

"Morena." Fuck, baka yung ex lang nya yung ienumerate nya. Pero morena din naman ako. Hopia.

"Driven." God, yung ex nga nya.

I was prepared he would answer na 'model'. What if parang Leonardo DiCaprio pala sya no? He only dates models. Kaya pala wala lang akong epekto sa kanya.

"At yung masarap alagaan." Okay very general lalu na sa ugali nya kasi maalaga talaga sya. Kaya nga sya nandito e.

"Ang generic naman non." Hirit ko. Ano bang gusto mong marinig? Ikaw? "Mas generic naman yung iyo." He laughed. Well, true.

"Three secrets that no one knows about you." ;I said. This one I'm curious talaga. I really want to know something about Xavier na hindi alam ng ibang tao.

"Ang hirap."

"Bakit nakakahiya ba?" I smirked.

"Hindi. Kasi open ako sa family ko e. Saka madaming alam sakin si Franco." Ang sad na parang ako konti lang yung alam ko sa kanya. He'll be leaving soon, I need to make sure na makilala ko muna sya ng todo bago sya umalis. "Okay sige, yung sobrang konti lang nakakaalam." Pinagbigyan ko na sya para namang may masagot sya.

"I dated my cousin, without knowing na cousin ko sya. Walang nakakaalam kasi well, nakakahiya. For the both of us. Aasarin kami nung iba naming pinsan."

"Yuck gross!" I laughed.

"Hindi ko nga alam! Saka hindi din nya alam. Nalaman nalang namin nung nag reunion." He hated the way I was making fun of him. And buti naman the tables were finally turned.

"Gross parin. Don't tell me hinalikan mo sya?" Di ako tumigil kasi something tells me that Xavier was the type to kiss girls on the first date pag gusto nya.

He stayed silent so natawa ako ng malakas. He gave me a sour look and tinakpan nya yung mukha ko with his one hand na tinaboy ko kasi gross din pag nahawakan nya yung ilong ko.

"Yan walang nakakaalam talaga nyan ikaw lang. Tapos ka na tumawa?" He glared at me. So I fixed my face.

"I stole a Starbucks mug for my ex girlfriend."

"Wow illegal ah. Pero best mo na yan?"

"It's just a mug Harper. Pag humingi ka sakin non, nanakawan kita ng lima." Hirit nya.

"Sige ha sabi mo yan. Lima." I joked.

"Kinikilig ako minsan sa mga rom-coms." Naaaliw ko syang tinignan di ko alam na yung mga lalake pala kinikilig sa mga ganon. "Dahil dyan, mamaya pag kaya ko ng bumangon, manonood tayo ng Netflix at rom-coms lang papanoorin natin. Di ko alam na kinikilig pala kayo sa mga ganon?"

"Harper, di kami bato. And mas nakakakilig parin pag totoong buhay." He winked at me. I AGREE!!! Lalu na pag kinikindatan moko, kulang nalang tumigil yung puso ko.

"Ako, I tried smoking once sa bathroom ng school namin nung highschool pa ko."

"Wow, wild child. Nahuli ka?" Tinaasan nya ko ng kilay.

"No. Konti nalang tao non kasi gabi na. I was waiting for Liv to finish with her basketball training. Sya lang naka alam kasi naamoy nya ko."

"O how was smoking?" Nakataas parin yung kilay nya.

"Ummm, naubo ako. The next time I tried it college nako non. Siguro pag nagiinuman kami, nakiki bum ako ng isang stick para di ako mabilis malasing."

"Next? Nakakahiya pala yung illegal kong ginawa. Ipapabalik lang sakin yung mug, ikaw pwede ka pang masuspend."

"Yeah kaya I asked if yun na yung best mo. Nung college, I went on a blind date tapos kinabukasan nalaman kong prof ko sya."

I cringed.

"Kung ijudge mo ko." He smirked at me. Tangina my situation was way better than his!

"Hindi ko naman sya pinsan!" I pushed his arm. "Sinabi ko na lang kay Liv na hindi ko trip yung naka date ko. Di ko masabi na yung prof pala namin yon. But yeah, super weird parin. I dropped that subject." I bit my lip and natatawa ako ng

konti sa katangahan na yon.

"Okay last? Make this one good."  He said at me.

"I have a tattoo."

For once, I think nagulat ko sya. "Weh? Saan?"

"Umm, medyo tago e." Nahiya kong sinabi. He surveyed me parang hindi pa yata sya naniniwala.

"Ano yan lasing ka lang kaya ka nagpa tattoo?"

"Nope. Intentional to. I got it as soon as I graduated." I said. It was a meaningful message to myself.

"Saan? Can I see it?" It was placed in my lower pelvis, parang nakakahiyang ipakita kay Xavier.

"When I say 'tago', I really mean it. Hindi nga sya nakikita pag naka bikini ako." I smiled sheepishly. Ni hindi ko nga alam paano ako nagkalakas ng loob na ipalagay don. Siguro dahil para lang din yon sa sarili ko kaya I didn't need to flaunt it.

He eyed me. "Will I get to see it someday?" My heart jumped to my throat. Will he? I doubt it.

"If you get to see me naked." I mindlessly answered. Kasi dun lang naman talaga nya yon makikita. IF makikita man nya.

"Okay someday then. In two years." He smiled slyly not letting my gaze go.

Di ko alam kung nilalagnat parin ba ko, but I suddenly felt hot and I felt my cheeks flush.