"I need someone!" I screamed because I'm litterally scared of being alone in the dark. I huged myself as long as I can.

Natataninging ang konting liwanag lamang ng buwan sa labas ang nagsisilbing ilaw dito. Sobrang dilim na para akong nakapikit kahit nakadikat naman ako. Wala akong makita at natatakot na ako ng sobra.

Kinapa ko ang kumot sa tabi ng couch at tinaklob ko iyon sa buong katawan ko. Ayokong maramdaman ang malamig na hangin mula sa pintuan at sa bintana.

Nararamdaman kong may mga footsteps towards me. Anytime ay pwede niyang buksan ang pintuan at baka kung anong gawin sa'kin no'n. Sobrang natatakot ako.

Maya-maya pa'y may kumatok ito sa pintuan.

Kinakabahan at natatakot ako. It's like a scene in a horror/thriller movie, where the main character is chased by the serial k*ller. Ayokong mangyari sa'kin 'yon!

Maya-maya pa'y bumukas ang pintuan. Alam kong pumasok na siya at hinahanap na niya ako. I can't look, talk, nor move. Naninigas ako sa takot ko.

Then, he/she held my head. He/she patted it. Nag-taka naman ako, pero natatakot pa rin ako at ayokong lumapit siya sa'kin. Nakita ko sa kumot na nakataklob sa'kin. Mukhang lalaki siya, a boy stranger. Umupo siya sa'king harap at tinanggal ang nakataklob na kumot sa'kin, at sabay namang bumukas lahat ng ilaw sa bahay. Naka-tingin lang ako sa kanya.

"Don't be afraid, I'm already here." he said at hinaplos niya ang buhok ko.

Hindi ko na alam ang ginawa ko sa kaba, niyakap ko siya. At naramdaman kong niyakap niya ako pabalik. I didn't even hesitate, and think kung ano na ang ginagawa ko.

"Hey, are you alright?" he suddenly asked. Mas humigpit pa ang yakap ko sa kanya dahil pa din sa takot. Hindi ko na rin siya sinagot dahil hindi pa ako makapag-salita. Hindi ko man lang namalayan na naka-tulog na ako habang magkayakap kami.

I felt someone patting my head. I feel myself laying on a man's shoulders. I feel my hair, being sniffed. I feel my forehead... being kissed?!

Nagulat ako at napatayo.

"Mwo?" (what?)

"N-nothing," sagot ko at napayuko. "I'm just— y-you just startled me."

"Well, sorry my bad."

"Aniya," (no,) I said. Hindi padin ako mapakali.

"Just relax, auntie and uncle will arrive soon."

"You can go home now. Maybe they're 5 minutes away na."

"Nope, I'll stay here."

"Ugh, so annoying." I whispered. I just don't feel like I'm comfortable with someone beside me. Even if it's him. "Please?" I pleased. Humarap siya sa'kin at hinawakan ang magkabilang-braso ko at saka lumapit sa ng konti sa'kin.

"No," he answered and stared at me. "I. Won't. Leave. You... Alone." at saka bumitaw. Nag-cross arms siya, he's patiently waiting, so am I.

Maya-maya pa'y may kumatok sa pintuan at saka binuksan ito. Nakita ko agad si mommy at si daddy. Agad ko silang sinalubong ng yakap. They hugged me back and daddy tapped my back. Dumeretso sila sa kusina at nakita naman nila si Sunghoon sa Sala na nakatayo at naka-bulsa pa ang kamay.

"Sunghoon, you're here! Thanks for accompanying our daughter."

"No problem, auntie and uncle." he said and then he smiled.

"I'm going to cook our dinner. Would you mind if we eat dinner together?" mom asked.

"Sure auntie, thank you." he asked and then he smiled. My heart beats fast... here we go again.

I sat on the sofa, patiently waiting for the food and wondering what we we're having for dinner tonight? Then suddenly, bigla namang tumabi sa'kin si Sunghoon. But later, he adjusted his seat at umupo siya sa sahig at sumandal siya sa upuan ng sofa.

Ako naman, pumunta malapit sa tv habang bitbit ang phone ko at chinarge ko doon sa saksakan malapit sa katapat na sofa kung nasaan si Sunghoon, umupo rin ako doon sa sahig at binuksan ko ang phone ko.

Agad kong binuksan ang wifi nito at biglang tumunog, madaming dumating na notifications kahit saglit ko lang itong hindi hinawakan. Agad kong tinignan ang mga iyon.

Aaron_ likes your photo.
Beatriceee likes your photo.
Hannah_bananah liked and commented on your photo.
Vanessays likes your photo.
Ivan_ likes your photo.
For sale not liked and commented on your photo.
Mntchc likes your photo.
potatonaaa_ and 20 others liked and commented on your photo.

Are they for real? Is this... for real?

"Wow, you're so famous, huh?" Sunghoon said and it startled me.

"How did you know?" gulat kong tanong "I-I mean, h-how?"

"You have so many notifs, I thought only famous artist or idols are getting that number of notifs?" he said at hindi ko nalang siya pinansin, nangg-gulat pa kasi. Imbis na kausapinbsiya, ay chinicka ko nalang ang mga nag-comment sa post ko. Am I that famous? Then I laughed a little.

hoonie_ liked and comment on your photo, "gorgeous."

Nagulat ako nang mag-notif 'yun sa'kin. Tinignan ko si Sunghoon, naka-ngiti. What's the meaning of this?

Asdfghjkl, kinikilig ako?!

Butterflies in the stomach alert!

or maybe, I'm just hungry?!

I don't know!

"Oh, is that why you said you're so famous?" he jokingly said. "You have a point though." sabi niya habang tumatango-tango pa.

"Tss, this man." I whispered.

"Sunghoon, Crystal," tawag ni mommy at napalingon naman kami ni Sunghoon. "Come, let's eat." tumayo ako at tumungo agad sa dining table. Umupo ako sa harap ni mommy, si daddy naman ay sa tabi ni mommy, sa tabi ko naman si Sunghoon.

"So, how's life, Sunghoon?" dad suddenly asked.

"I'm fine uncle, I'm just busy practicing figure skating." Sunghoon answered politely.

"Well, goodluck iho." dad said to Sunghoon and then they both smiled with each other.

"Thank you, uncle." Sunghoon said at tumungo siya ng konti.

"No problem, iho." daddy said. Napatingin lang ako sa kanila at napangiti. "By the way, Crystal said she likes you, Sunghoon." pareho naman kaming napatingin kay daddy. Kumunot naman ang noo ko at nagulat ako. Napalingon ako kay Sunghoon, hindi siya nagulat o nagtaka man lang, bagkus ay natawa pa nga siya ng bahagya. "I'm just kidding, let continue to eat." dad said at tumawa rin siya ng mahina.

Muntik na!

Ako lang ang nakakaalam na gusto ko si Sunghoon, wala nang iba pa! Kaya kinabahan ako ng ganun-ganun nalang. Baka mamaya ay nakakahalata na sina mom at dad, baka nga pati si Sunghoon naghihinala na sa'kin.

"By the way Crystal, how are you and Sunghoon?"

"We're okay..." I answered and slightly laughed. "S-still friends." then I smiled.

"Well, that's great."

____

Hinatid ko si Sunghoon sa gate nang nagdesisyon siyang umuwi na.

"I will see you tomorrow again."

"Okay? But... where are we going?"

"At the park, I will Gaeul a walk. I want you to be my assistant." he said then he smirked.

"Tch, goodbye."

"See you tomorrow, I love you."

"What?"

"What? I said I will see you again tomorrow. Is there something wrong?" Napatitig nalang ako sa kanya habang pumapasok siya sa kotse.

"Bye, see you tomorrow." Sabi sabay pinatakbo ang kanyang kotse palayo.

"Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!"

Bakit muna ako kinikilig? Eh hallucination ko lang naman na sinabi niya 'yon?!

Pagkatapos nung nangyari kanina, tumakbo agad ako sa kwarto ko. Narinig ko talagang sinabi niya 'yon, I swear!

"But—! No! Imposibleng sabihin niya 'yon sa'kin, 'no?"

Kalma self, okay?!

Ay basta, mag-sleep nalang ako. Ipagpa-bukas nalang lahat.

Nagising ako ng maaga at nag-handa para sa lakad namin ni boss Sunghoon. Kainis, ginawa pa akong assistant niya ngayong araw.

I'm currently watching, paano mag-alaga ng puppy. Kasi naman, assistant nga ako pero for sure si Gaeul ang ipapa-alaga ni boss Sunghoon sa'kin.

"Oh... so you're a dog lover now?"

Nagulantang ako at muntik ko nang maihagis ang phone ko sa cereal meal na kinakain ko. Nakita ko si Sunghoon na nasa tapat ko na pala at ngayon ko lang namalayan kung kailang nag-salita siya. Sinamaan ko siya ng tingin dahil ewan ko, kikiligin yata ako dahil nasa harapan ko siya at syempre, hindi ko pwedeng ipakita sa kanya 'yon.

"Eh? Why are you looking at me like that?"

"Why are you here? You startled me."

"Why am I here? What do you think?"

"Ha? What are you talking about?"

"Ha?" he imitates. "We're going to the park, you better prepare right now or else..."

"Or else? What?" Tanong ko at kinindatan niya lang ako.

We're currently at the park, walking Gaeul, Sunghoon's dog. Ako ang may hawak kay Gaeul at ang cute niya katulad ng daddy niya.

"Why are you smiling?" he suddenly asked.

"H-huh? M-me? Uhm, just nothing."

"Remember the necklace you gave me? Gaeul destroyed it."

"Well, it's okay. I'll make you another one."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes..."

"... And you're not mad at it?"

"No, I'm not. Why am I supposed to be mad?"

"Well, if you say so."

We sat on the bench at tinaggal sa tali si Gaeul. Binuhat siya ni Sunghoon at niyakap. They look good together.

"Are you jelous?"

"Ha? A-ako? Magseselos sa aso?"

"Tch, just don't deny it."

"I'm not jelous!"

"Yes, you are."

"It's nearly night, we have to get home early."

"It's okay, auntie and uncle will understand us."

"You sure? What if they punish me or us?"

"I'm sure they won't."

"Okay fine, if you want to go home now, I'll drive." he said and I agreed.

Sumakay na kami sa kotse niya at binigay niya muna sa'kin si Gaeul dahil nga mag d-drive siya. Gaeul is a little bit naughty, kaya napapatingin nalang si Sunghoon samin tuwing sinasabayan ko ang laro niya. Then suddenly, the car stopped. I looked at him, nagtaka ako kung bakit. Then, tumingin siya ng deretso sa'kin.

Nakakapamatay ang nga titig niya sa'kin, para bang kinukuha niya ako sa pamamagitan nito. Unti-unti niya namang nilalapit ang mukha niya sa mukha ko. Lumayo siya dahil natauhan kami.

"P-pass me the water." he said at tumingin siyang muli sa manibela. Agad ko namang inabot sa kanya ang bottled water na nasa tabi ko. Uminom siya ng kaunti at nagsimula muling mag-drive.

Binuksan niya ang radyo, dahil gabi na rin at umuulan na, masarap rin sa pakiramdam at mukhang inaantok pa nga ako. Mukhang tulog na rin si Gaeul sa lap ko.

"You know me the best

You know my worst, see me hurt, but you don't judge
That, right there is the scariest feeling
Opening and closing up again
I've been hurt so I don't trust
Now here we are, staring at the ceiling..."

"You remembered the song I recommended to you?" he suddenly asked.

"U-uhm, which one?"

"That one," he said. "Just listen to it. It's a nice song."

"Uhm, okay then."

"I've said those words before but it was a lie
And you deserve to hear them a thousand times..."

A nice song indeed. Ewan ko ba kay Park Sunghoon kung bakit niya nasabing magandang ganda 'to kahit na medyo cold-hearted boy ang 'sang 'to. I listened to it until it reached the chorus.

" If all it is is eight letters
Why is it so hard to say?
If all it is is eight letters
Why am I in my own way?
Why do I pull you close?
And then ask you for space..."

Napapatango-tango nalang ako dahil nadadala din ako sa lyrics nito. Until the car stopped, muntik na akong sumubsob. And I was about to blame Sunghoon but I saw him staring at me, like he was about to—you know—o sadyang nag-iimagine lang ako?

But no...

He is staring at me, eye to eye. At sinabayan niya yung lyrics ng kantang tumutugtog sa radyo.

"If all it is is eight letters
Why is it so hard to say?"