Saving Harper

Two years. Ang daming pwedeng mangyari sa two years.

Baka CEO nako non if I get the promotion and I could be running the whole company by that time habang nag gogolf nalang yung boss namin. May anak na siguro sila Hilda by that time. Kung sino sino nang namatay in two years. Hell, I could even be one of those people. My relationship with my family could get worst if possible pa yon.

In two years pwedeng may manligaw sakin na iba and in two years pwedeng may makilala don si Xavier ng babaeng magugustuhan nya.

Yes, a lot can happen in two years.

My dreams can come true in two years or my life can fall apart.

I looked at the sleeping Xavier beside me. He was snoring gently, kahit na nakahiga lang kami the whole time yesterday, parang napagod sya kakaasikaso sakin. He cooked our dinner (chicken and soup).

I asked him to stay over kasi baka napagod na sya and dahil syempre, selfish ako. This was my only chance to continue being with him. Bilang na yung oras ko with him before he leaves. My time with him was limited until he turns into a bittersweet memory that I would hopelessly go back to.

Of course I can always message or call him, but he'll be living his life there. Most importantly, he's there to make his dreams come true.

I don't even know kung ano kami e. Friends? Definitely. More than that? I'm not even sure. He knows I like him and the only thing I keep getting from him is yung pang aasar nya saakin dahil alam nya.

I remembered saying before na maybe it's not meant to be. Maybe. And I just have to take what I can get habang nakakasama ko pa sya.

I glanced at my bedside table. It was already 5:30am and I heard Xavier's phone alarm go off on the other side of the bed. I smiled as kinapa nya yung phone nya sa table ko on his side habang nakapikit. He finally opened his eyes to look at it and turned it off and pumikit ulit. Parang wala syang balak pumasok.

"Harper, sleep." He said finally smiling kahit nakapikit parin sya.

"Hindi ba tayo papasok?" I asked him and finally binukas na ulit nya yung mata nya. He placed his palms against my forehead and inabot parin nya yung thermometer sa side nya to check me more accurately. It was like he's been doing it all night habang tulog ako.

"37. 1 nice. Pero hindi ka parin papasok." He declared then pumikit nanaman sya. He groaned loudly when his phone started ringing. Xavier looked at his phone and nagdalawang isip kung sasagutin nya. "Go away, pre. Tulog pa ko." I think it was Franco.

"Sana. Makulit yung pasyente ko dito e. Mahirap iwan mag isa, baka di maka survive." I slapped his arm gently at his words. So wala syang balak pumasok? This excited me a lot. And kilig. Definitely that. "Ha? Nako, di ko na yan sasabihin dito baka magpumilit pang pumasok. Ok sige baka ma late lang ako ng konti. Papakainin ko muna tong pasyente ko."

I hate how they're talking about me like I'm not here. And ang sad dahil papasok sya. I tried sitting up to check baka kaya ko naman din pumasok. Suddenly I didn't want to be left behind here, all alone. Na dati naman wala akong problema about it.

Xavier pulled on my shirt and bumalik ako sa pagkakahiga. He was still talking to Franco. "Oo pre, puro submissions nalang daw. Yung team nalang ni Jane yung hinihintay. So kailangan lang icheck?"

I was leering at him dahil sumakit yung ulo ko nung hinila nya ko pahiga ulit. It caused a head rush that I wasn't prepared for. "Tanga syempre magagawa ko naman yon. Oo na, Sige na, istorbo ka e. O eto sabihin mo sakanya sasakalin ka nito pag di mo sinabi." Xavier handed me his phone and I placed it on speaker. Ayoko masyadong mahawaan si Xavier ng virus ko. For all I know inubuhan ko sya ng inubuhan habang tulog kami.

"Hello, patient zero." Franco greeted me in an exaggerated sunny voice.

"Bwiset. Anong problema sa office?" I asked. Ang gross parin ng boses ko Lalu na kasi bagong gising and ang sakit parin ng lalamunan ko.

"Yang boses mo." Franco laughed and tumawa din si Xavier sa tabi ko. Sinamaan ko sya ng tingin.

"Ano nga?" I asked impatiently. I hated when he's stalling imbis na sabihin nalang nya ng derecho.

Franco and Xavier balance me out. Kung gaano ako ka no chill, puro chill sila. This was what our boss was pertaining to when he said that Franco and I work so well together. When he becomes CEO, he'll need me and ganon din if I get the position, I'll be needing him. Para kaming Yin and Yang sa trabaho.

"Sorry to disturb your honeymoon. May problema lang sa production. We can't wait for you Harper." I ignored my kilig at the first thing he said because I was torn.

I wanted to be there to fix the problem, but at the same time, I wanted Franco to do it para naman he could prove to himself na he'll be able to handle problems outside his specialty. Operations Director na kaming dalawa e. He needs to do this kasi wala ako. And I have complete faith in Franco. Kailangan sya din.

"Yeah, kayang kaya mo yan. Wag kang papayag na ma-late sila ha. Gigil nako dyan kay Philip palagi nalang late." I conceded. Franco gasped in jest. "Ikaw ba yan Harper? Kala ko kailangan kang itali ni Xavier dyan."

"Pwede parin naman pre. Baka kasi trip nya yung mga ganong kink." Xavier spoke up and napanganga ako sa gulat sa mga pinagsasasabi nya.

"Feeling ko trip nya yon pre." Franco was laughing real loud at the other end at sinabayan sya ni Xavier. I made a face at the phone. "Di ko kayo pwedeng pagsamahin no? Maloloka ako sainyo."

"Malay mo naman kami yung maloka sayo? Lalu na yan si Xavier lokong-loko na yan sayo."

Xavier took his phone form me. "Sige na pre, masyado ka ng madaldal, lalu lang ako malelate sa ginagawa mo." He ended the call.

I made a move to get up again, and hinila nanaman nya ko. "Saan ka pupunta miss?" He asked me. "Hindi ba ko pwedeng mag CR?" Ang strikto talaga nito. Pag nagstay sya dito, wala syang ipapagawa sakin kung hindi magpahinga. Well it was what I needed. Syempre tama sya.

"Sige mag CR ka muna. Pahiram ng susi mo dito, kukuha lang ako ng gamit ko sa kotse." He said getting up. I couldn't help it, napatitig nanaman ako sa katawan nya as he got his white shirt sa hooks ko sa bedroom and started putting it on. It was like he was doing it in slow motion.

He should stop sleeping here ng naka boxer shorts lang sya. I space out all the time. Eto yung mga bagay na hindi ako masasanay kay Xavier, pag nakikita ko yung katawan nya, it always feel like it's the first time. Kaya ako tulala. Feeling ko naman ang daming beses ko ng nakota e dalawa lang naman.

I'll be pushing my luck if makakatabi ko pa syang matulog ulit. "Ummm Harper?" He chuckled nung humarap na sya sakin. Napapikit ako. "I think nakasabit by the door kasama ng car keys ko?" I suck at pretending I'm not at all distracted. Nag madali nalang ako papuntang CR. I think it's a good idea to have an extra day to rest kasi parang mabibinat lang ako anytime soon. Nagpalit ulit ako ng damit and nag hilamos and toothbrush. Later I think I can take a bath already. Ang gross ko na e.

Although yesterday nagtalo pa kami ni Xavier kung sinong magpupunas sakin ng cold bath with alcohol para bumaba yung lagnat ko. Sobrang nakakahiya na kung sya pa gagawa. And not to mention I might die when I feel his touch on my body kahit na sabihin mong may towel pa yun.

Mabilis syang nakabalik and I can hear him sa kitchen starting to cook. Lumabas ako. "What's for breakfast Mr. Arnaiz?" I asked him.

"Depende. Kamusta na lalamunan mo?" He turned to me as he got eggs from my ref. "Medyo masakit nalang, pero I think pwede nakong grumaduate sa soup."

"Okay good. Eggs, hotdog and bacon?" He asked me.

"Yeah sure." I walked up to brew coffee for him and toasted some bread with butter.

Ohmygod, I can't help but observe that we were in sync. Like we've been living together for a long time. Sana palaging ganito. Haaay asa ka naman Harper. But this makes me really happy. Ngayon ko lang naramdaman how it might feel like to live with someone I like.

How to go back to being alone?

Well I have to.

As I waited for the toaster and coffee, I heard my phone ring on the counter top. "Pag yan trabaho, wag mong sasagutin." Xavier declared. I rolled my eyes as I walked towards it. It was Hilda.

"Yes?" I answered.

"Do you always answer your phone like this?" She asked. But I think I do answer my phone like this MOST of the time.

"No. But what's up?" I asked bumalik din ako sa tapat ng toaster ko to take out the bread nung tumunog na indicating the bread was done. "You're home??? And you sound terrible." She asked surprised I took a day off. "Yeah, may sakit ako kahapon so buti hindi ka kahapon tumawag baka mas lalu kang magulat." Sumimangot si Xavier probably asking kung sino kausap ko. 'Hilda' I mouthed at him and bumalik na sya sa pagluluto.

"OMG you need me there? I'm on leave already but of course I can give you a house call. Anong nararamdaman mo? Anong temp mo? May ubo ka ba?" I appreciate her willingness to check up on me slash give me a diagnosis over the phone. "No it's okay. I feel a lot better." I assured her. I had to put her on speaker as I got plates to set up the dining table.

"Anyway, good to hear you feel better kasi I'm going to invite you to Boracay this weekend!" She excitedly said.

"Why?" I asked curiously. "I'm finalizing the reception area look and you clearly need the vacation." She answered. I can't take a vacation. Kakapromote lang saakin and I needed to do things sa office pambawi kay Franco who's handling all our problems right now.

Lumapit sa dining table si Xavier with the food he cooked and two mugs. "Hi Hilda." He spoke up.

"Si kuya Xavier ba yan?"

"Bakit meron pa bang pumupunta ditong lalake? Sabihin mo yung totoo Hilda." Umirap ako kasi I know he was only joking kahit na seryoso yung tono nya. Well as if namang meron talaga.

Hilda laughed nervously. Parang tanga! It sounded like she knows na meron. "Sa totoo lang kuya, hindi ko alam. I haven't been to ate's place." Okay good. Kala ko may sasabihin syang kung ano-ano kahit wala naman.

Teka, bakit ba ko worried? I think kahit may lalakeng pumunta dito, ok lang. Malay ko ba kung may pumupunta ding mga babae sa condo ni Xavier! My face turned sour at my own thoughts so bumalik nalang ako sa kitchen to get the toasted bread and coffee pot.

"I can't come Hilds." I piped in pag balik ko. Si Xavier naman yung napasimangot sakin and I shrugged at him. "Ano ba ate sumama ka na! Kuya Xavier sumama ka na din! Saka Friday pa naman yung alis and uuwi na din sa Sunday. Think of drinking by the beach with our bikinis on." My sister said in a loud voice as if naman hindi sya naririnig ni Xavier. Natawa si Xavier over the bikini thing.

I turned around to get milk sa ref and creamer and sugar for Xavier. I don't even know how he takes his coffee! I was really a crappy fake girlfriend. But mainly gusto kong takasan kung ano mang isasagot nya sa kapatid ko.

"As much as I want na titigan yung kapatid mong naka bikini, I can't Hilda. May mga kailangan akong asikasuhin for UW." My stomach dropped, di ko alam kung tungkol dun sa hirit nya sa bikini or dahil sa pag alis nya. I took a deep breath and bumalik na sa dining table.

"Aww that's too bad kuya. I think you both need that vacation and an early honeymoon." I coughed aloud. Hindi lang dahil may ubo talaga ako pero dahil sa sinabi ni Hilda. She wasn't the first person to say that in less than an hour. Xavier licked his lips in amusement. Both sa sinabi ng kapatid ko at sa reaction ko.

"Take something for that cough ate. I'll text you the perfect meds. But please come. I'll book the ticket for you. Kuya Xavier, pwedeng paki pilit yang si ate. Bye love you both!" Tuloy tuloy na si Hilda and wala na kaming nasabi as she ended the call. Alam nyang makakatanggi ako sakanya pero kay Xavier hindi.

I looked at my phone with disapproval na parang yun yung kapatid ko. "Harper, go on that vacation. Kaya ka nagkakasakit kasi di ka nagpapahinga. Saka ano ba naman yung dalawang araw? Weekend pa yon. Franco can manage on Friday habang wala ka." Xavier started pouring coffee sa mug nya.

I was more curious sa gagawin nya over the weekend. Baka pwede ko din syang mapilit na sumama. Ayokong maging third wheel sa kapatid ko at kay Nick. "So anong gagawin mo for UW?" Naglagay ako ng pagkain sa plato ko. I was already hungry dahil puro soup lang pinag kakakain ko.

"Actually, I was offered nung dean not only to finish my masters there, pero he also wants me to do the 2-year MA for Architecture mismo." I frowned. "Isn't that what you're doing now? So hindi ba PhD na yon?"

"Not exactly, focused lang yung online masters ko ngayon sa infrastructure and urban planning." He lost me there syempre I didn't know what he was talking about. "Pero yung legit MA, I need to do there. For 2 years." My milk doesn't want to go down my throat. "Sabi nya kaya daw nya kong recommend for a scholarship grant."

Nung bumaba na yung gatas sa lalamunan ko, "Wow! Ohmygod! Ang galing mo! So you'll be there 3 years?" I asked wanting to sound enthusiastic kasi sa totoo lang this was really a great opportunity for him. Hindi nangyayari to sa lahat ng tao. I am happy of course. Sad lang din ako dahil ang tagal ko syang hindi makikita.

"Two lang siguro? I just need to finish my online exams next week para matapos ko yung unang MA degree ko. Para pag dating ko dun, yung second na yung papasukan ko. Then titignan ko if magandang ituloy to PhD." Kaya may "siguro" yung two years nya.

"I'm so proud of you Xavier! Gagalingan mo dun ha." I said sincerely. "Oo naman. Ikaw din galingan mo dito! Balitaan mo ko pag CEO ka na." He beamed at me.

Harper, stop treating this as something bad. Don't be selfish. He's happy for you sa nangyayari sa career mo and you should be happy for him. Di ka lang pwedeng proud. As a friend, or whatever you are to him, you need to push him to the best opportunities na nakahain sa kanya. Kasi he would definitely do the same for you.

After eating, and after naming magtalo kung sinong mag liligpit at maghuhugas ng pinagkainan (nanalo sya kasi he threatened akong buhatin papunta sa kwarto pag nagmatigas pa ko), naligo na sya to prepare for work. Uminom na din ako ng gamot para siguradong makapasok nako bukas. He also confiscated my laptop! Ugggh. Pwede naman daw akong mag Netflix buong araw kesa mastress ako. Parang mas masestress ako pag hindi ako nagtrabaho.

Hinatid ko sya sa pinto nung ready na sya umalis. "Mag pahinga ka ha. Wag mong kakalimutan kumain at uminom ng gamot." Tumuro pa sya sakin threatening me. It was funny. "Opo, sir. Sige na late na late ka na." I shoved him outside the door.

"Don't wait up for me baby." Kumindat sya sakin and naglakad na palayo. Oh god.

My morning turned uneventful dahil nga nakaalis na si Xavier. Inantok ako agad dahil sa mga gamot na pinagiinom ko.

By lunch time, food delivery arrived bago pa ko makapag bukas ng Grab app ko. Syempre it was sent by Xavier together with the medicines na tinext sakin ni Hilda, which he probably asked her too. OMG if I die today, hindi na din masama kasi mamamatay akong kinikilig. Pero syempre hindi nako mamamatay kasi kahit wala sya, inaalagaan pa rin nya ko. Was it my first time na maalagaan? Like this, yes.

Same thing happened during dinner time. Sige nga pakisabi kung gaano kahirap mawala tong lalakeng to sa buhay ko.

As I've said, lot can happen in two years. But one thing is for sure, in two years, laman parin ng isip ko si Xavier.

(text) Me: Thank you for taking care of me. I really appreciate it. Bawi ako pag nagkasakit ka.

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(text) Xavier Arnaiz: Alam mo kung paano ka makakabawi sakin?

(text) Me: Paano?

Okay, masyado nanaman akong kabado.

(text) Xavier Arnaiz: Pumunta ka don sa bakasyon with Hilda!

(text) Me: You know I'm groaning right now.

(text) Xavier Arnaiz: I know. Naririnig kita ngayon sa utak ko. Promise, sisiguraduhin namin ni Franco na hindi masusunog yung opisina dun sa ISANG araw na wala ka. (text) Me: Haha. D

(text) Xavier Arnaiz: Just say yes.

(text) Me: Fine.

(text) Xavier Arnaiz: Hindi yan yes Harper.

(text) Me: YES. Ok na?

(text) Xavier Arnaiz: Pasalubong. [

(text) Me: Ayun pala ang gusto.

(text) Xavier Arnaiz: Hahaha. Ang gusto ko talaga makita kang naka bikini.

Parang tanga.

(text) Me: Sige bukas papasok akong naka bikini.

(text) Xavier Arnaiz: Aabangan ko yan.

I laughed.

"Good morning. Kala ko magbibikini ka? Nagbigay pa ko ng memo sa buong office." Xavier greeted me with a playful smile pag dating ko sa area namin. "Isa lang bikini ko e, kailangan kong isave for the weekend." I answered him. Patol lang sa mga pinagsasasabi nya. I think I'm getting good at learning how to take a chill pill lalu na dito sa office. Ay weh.

"Nandyan sa loob ng office mo yung work husband mo." He smiled pointing at my room. Napakunot yung noo ko. Work husband?

"Wag mong masyadong isipin na ako yun." He laughed. Gago. Inirapan ko sya and pumasok nako to find Franco there waiting for me.

"Kamusta? May epidemya ka bang pasalubong sakin?" Franco greeted me.

"My mornings are really complete pag kayong dalawa ni Xavier yung una kong nakikita." I said sarcastically and umupo nako sa desk ko. Lumipat si Franco sa tapat ng desk ko.

"Kamusta yung problema kahapon?" I asked him.

"Ok na but I fired Philip."

"Really? Why?" I looked at him proudly. Yun na din yung plano kong gawin sa gigil ko dyan sa taong tamad na yan.

"Nagsumbong si Pablo na sinabi na daw nya kay Philip na may sira yung isang printer pero di daw pinagawa agad." Franco said seriously.

"I'm glad you did it. Baka mukha akong tangang sumisigaw don with my horrible voice. Anong sabi ni George?"

"Wala. He agreed with my decision. We need to talk about who should replace him. Si Jeff yung next in line kaso parang Philip din yung ugali." Franco massaged his right temple. Haay Franco welcome to my world. I haven't seen him this serious.

"Better si Jimmy. Mas masipag and he regularly reports on what's really happening there."

"Yun din iniisip ko. Go ka na don?"

"Of course. O diba di ganon kahirap?" I smiled at him pero mukha parin syang stressed. Natatawa ako. "You look like me." Hirit ko.

He knew what I meant. "I'm actually here to discuss that Harper. I'm thinking about resigning." I didn't respond immediately kasi gulat ako at naghihintay ako ng punchline. Wala. Seryoso sya.

"What? Tangina Franco! No!" I almost shouted.

"Let's face it Harper, you were made for this job. Alam mo lahat. I can't even be an Operations Director." Franco's tone was serious.

"Franco, please, wag mo kong iiwan dito. I need you here." I muttered. I can't lose him too. But I wasn't exactly saying that dahil lang kaibigan ko sya.

"Harper you deserve to be CEO. Di ko nga alam kung bakit ako pa yung napili ni boss, e you're the ONLY clear choice."

"I appreciate what you're saying Franco, but it's all bullshit." I frowned at him. "You underestimate your capabilities and I hate you for it. You know why I'm successful at my work? Kasi I'm strict, or a bitch if that's the term we want to use here, and everyone's afraid of me. But that's not always a good thing. And you know why you're good at yours? Kasi you're my opposite. You have the people skills that I don't have but you also work twice as hard. So don't give me this crap." Inirapan ko sya.

"Yeah, you're scary."

"Kaya don't give me this shit. Don't pretend you don't also deserve it." Sinamaan ko talaga sya ng tingin.

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"Okay basta wag mo ulit ako titignan ng ganyan." He joked.

"Ganito kita araw-araw titignan pag nalaman kong magreresign ka parin." At alam nyang totoo. God. Why would Franco even think he can't do this?

He stood up para umalis na sa office ko. "Thank you Harper. For having faith in me." He smiled. "Of course. I've always had absolute faith in you."

Thursday night, Franco and I were discussing kung anong mga iiwan ko sa kanya. Obviously, he thinks I was being OA kasi isang araw lang naman akong mawawala. "Harper pwede bang umuwi ka na? I'm sure hindi ka pa nakakapag empake sa bakasyon mo bukas. At kukunin ko yang laptop mo." He said while yawning. Yeah OA nga ako about this.

"Dalawang beses ng nacoconfiscate tong laptop ko ha." I grumbled.

"Kasi you deserve that vacation. The last one you had, I was still getting emails from you in Singapore!" Well, totoo yon.

Pumasok si Xavier while Franco and I were wrapping things up.

"May regalo ako sayo." Xavier announced, looking at me.

"Teka, istorbo na yata ako." Franco sniggered at Xavier. Super mature nitong dalawang to.

Xavier handed me the small paperbag and I peeked inside. Napasimangot ako. Ano to damit? I took it out. It was a white two-piece bikini. Natawa si Franco nung nilabas ko.

"Sabi mo isa lang bikini mo e." Xavier laughed at my reaction.

"Bwiset syempre hindi yon totoo!" Niloko pa nila ako hanggang sa namula nako.

"Walang thank you?" Xavier gave me his boyish smile.

"Thank you." I grumbled but eventually smiled.

"Suotin mo yan. Padalhan moko ng picture!" He joked. Inirapan ko lang sya. "Baka mahimatay ka." I retorted. Tumawa ng malakas si Franco.

"Sigurado yun." Hirit ni Franco.

Mga gago.

Friday morning, we arrived in Boracay and we quickly checked-in sa Fairways resort kung saan gagawin yung kasal ni Hilda. I got my own room kasi I would die first before maging third wheel sa kanila sa same kwarto.

After nilang makipag usap dun sa wedding coordinator nila while we were there sa venue mismo, I admit it would look really nice with the plans the coordinator drew up. Very Hilda. After lunch na natapos and right after that, Hilda insisted that we hang out sa private beach to relax and drink, as promised. Nick was also there pero nandun sya sa mga puno nagbabasa lang, ayaw magpa araw.

Syempre di ako tumanggi kasi eto na yung bonding naming magkapatid. "Hilda, how did you know na si Nick na?" I asked her while we laid sa lounge chairs namin sipping cocktails.

Nick doesn't want us drinking hard drinks kasi di daw nya kami kayang alagaan kung dalawa kaming malalasing. Good to know na hindi lang si Xavier yung humihirit ng ganito at hindi lang ako yung nahihiritan about that fateful night. I swear these guys can't let it go.

"I know you think Nick is so stiff and medyo mayabang. But he's so different pag dating saakin. He's thoughtful, really really sweet and I feel so... loved." My sister gushed.  "He always makes sure I'm safe, palagi nya kong inuuna, and he makes sure I'm always happy."

"Wow, di ko naisip na ganon sya. I'm really happy for you Hilds. You deserve this." I smiled at her.

"Why are you asking?" She teased. "Are you and kuya Xavier talking about getting married already?" She asked excitedly. "What?! No! Ohmygod no." I answered defensively. Too defensively.

"Ate ang dami namang 'no' don! I like kuya Xavier for you. He, how do I say this, he's your perfect equal." I sighed at what she said. She eyed me. She already knows something is up. I decided to tell her everything. "It's not real, Hilds. Xavier is not my boyfriend." "WHAT????" Hilda shrieked and napatayo si Nick sa likod namin. "It's nothing sweetie, get back to your book." Hilda waved him off. "Are you serious ate? Why? How??" She asked somberly. Yeah, I'm as sad as her. "We pretended kasi feeling ko naambush nyo ko when you saw us. I panicked. He's my assistant, pero totoo lahat ng sinabi nyang Art Director din sya saamin. Ang tanga ko kasi napagkamalan ko syang assistant ko, tinuloy na nya because of the extra pay he's getting to support for his MA."

I started telling her everything. She was shocked. Ayaw nyang maniwala.

"But you have got to feel something for him. Imposibleng wala! The way you two were so close and everyone was sold na boyfriend mo talaga sya. And the way you look at each other? It's not meaningless." She was so invested with my misery.

"Yeah, I like him. I really really like him. But he's going away right after your wedding. He'll be in Seattle for two years or more." I said sadly.

"Ate you need to tell him. Baka pagsisihan mo if you don't. Lalu na if he's leaving." Hilda insisted.

"Hilds he already knows. Well di ko directly sinabi. He knows na nagseselos ako sa ex nya and he always drop hints that he knows it. Though minsan pabiro or siguro he doesn't feel the same way and ayaw nyang masyado akong mapahiya. But trust me, he knows." Yeah pag sinabi ko pala ng malakas, mas masakit.

"Ate iba parin if you say it directly. Malay mo he's just guessing or hinuhuli ka lang nya kaya he's always joking about it. Basta ako my vote is to say it." My sister was so sure with her opinion. I filled my cheeks with air. Natatakot akong mareject pero pointless na din kasi aalis na sya.

"Ano do I just blurt out on Monday na 'Xavier ano ba talaga tayo?" ;Even in my mind, I sounded ridiculous.

Hilda looked like it she thinks it doesn't matter how I would say it. Basta gawin ko na. "Yes? But what if he tells you..."

"Ano nga ba tayo Harper?" A voice behind us continued for her.

Again, Hilda shrieked beside me and I almost choked on my drink.