(Note: R-16. Feel free to skip.)

･ ⋆ ･ ⠄⠂⋆ ･ ⠄⠂⋆ ･ ⠄⠂⋆ ･ ⠄⠂⋆ ･

"Happy monthsary, love."

I turned around and saw Light holding a bouquet of tulips, I gave him a smile and a kiss on the cheek. He encircled his arms on my waist and felt a kiss drop on my cheeks. I can't help but to feel my hot rush up to my cheeks, it's the same butterflies all over again. This exists when he's here, I wanted to chuckle badly because of how cringey I sound.

"I thought you're not into celebrating monthsaries?" I stepped away to see him. Inabot niya sa akin ang mga bulaklak at marahang tumawa. I saw his camera bag strapped on his body. Tumawa lang din siya at kinuha ang tape measure na kanina ko pa hawak.

I'm doing my project for my majors, it's for the semester. We're already on our fourth year and marami nang requirements na ginagawa. More on practical na nga lang at hindi na mga written examinations but I think that made it harder. This whole college journey had really been 'expect the unexpected', I mean.. I have my boyfriend now.. Who would have thought?

"I thought so, too," he chuckled and pulled me for a tighter hug. "You're not yet done? Do you need me to cut the fabrics? Fix the threads? Or your machine?" Agad akong umiling at pilit na umalis sa yakap niya.

"I'm almost done, I'll just seem this and then submit it," tumalikod na ako at ipinatong ang bulaklak sa mesa. Kinuha ko ang pink na piece at pumunta malapit sa iron, I can feel his stares on me but I'm used to it so I just let it be. 

"Hindi mo ako babatiin?" Tanong niya, parang bata.

"What?" I compressed my lips to suppress my laughs. 

"Hindi mo ako babatiin ng happy monthsary?" I looked at him and he gave me a pout. Umupo siya sa single sofa sa work room ko sa loob ng bahay namin at pinag-krus ang mga braso. Umiling nalang ako. "Love, happy monthsary," ulit niya pa. I looked down on my project and ironed it.

"Hmm," I replied. 

"Ouch," he reacted and sighed exaggeratedly. "Kalahating taon mo na akong sinasaktan," reklamo niya. "Pero ayos lang, ikaw naman 'yan, so why not 'di ba?" Natatawa nalang ako sa mga sinasabi niya.

Yeah, it's been six months since we officially dated, I gave him my yes on valentine's day.. I don't know, it's been smooth sailing and I'm enjoying it. Being in a relationship isn't that bad after all. Hindi kami masyadong nag-aaway ni Light dala na rin siguro ng pagiging busy namin dahil seniors na kami parehas, and we know what's our priority.. And that was our dreams and keeping everything between us simple and fun.

We don't fight over petty things, nor do we make something off a small thing big. Akala ko talaga magiging mahirap, knowing Light, but it wasn't. He's honest with what he feels and so am I.. It's healthy and just making me feel at rest. 

In every tiring situation I encounter, whether it'd be because of school or my family, I know I can recline to my boyfriend.. Him. And same goes to him, he shares his feelings with me and I'm happy and contented with that. Sa anim na buwan, palagi niyang sinasabi ang mga nangyayari sa buhay niya sa akin, especially with his family and his Dad. I know he doesn't hide things from me, I hope he's not hiding anything.

"Happy monthsary," I looked at him and beamed. Nanatili lang siyang naka-upo roon at nginitian ako. He stood up and walked towards me. 

"Naalala mo ba or you just remembered because I greeted you?" I shrugged. Of course I remembered! Girls remember everything! We take note of everything, kahit hindi halata. Or sometimes we look like we don't care, ang totoo ay naalala namin ang lahat. He sighed and cupped my face, he planted a kiss on my forehead, made me close my eyes because of how light it was.

"It's okay, we're both busy, it doesn't matter naman," he assured. Kinuha ko ang ironed piece ko at inikot 'yon sa leeg niya, it's not part of my project.. It's a gift for him.. For keeping up with me for almost half a year. 

"Of course I remembered," he curved my lips and tied the tie on his neck, mabuti nalang at ang soot niya ay button down shirt, it'll fit. "I will always remember," panigurado ko at inayos ang tela ng damit niya. "'Pag nalabhan mo na 'yong damit na 'to, give it to me, okay? I'll fix the lining, hindi maganda 'yong tahi," he chortled. 

"Okay my love," he blurted. He snaked his arms on my waist and pulled me closer, while my hands are just resting on his shoulder pads. "I love you," he spoke while our foreheads are touching, mata sa mata. I gulped.

I've heard him say that multiple of times already, but even though he never failed to remind me how much he loves me, it still makes my heart pound as much as before.. Or maybe it's wilder now.. Because what I feel for him just keeps on growing in me.. And I love it.. 

"I'm proud of you," bulong ko at ipinikit ang mga mata. I felt him kiss my nose softly. It drew a smile on my face and a heat on my ear. He knows how to make me feel good.. I'm very much contented with my boyfriend.. He's just.. Everything.

"So am I," he said. "Sige na, naiistorbo na kita," he laughed and tapped my back. "Work, work, na Lettie," he pushed me and flicked a finger on my forehead. "Kelan ulit 'yong fashion show niyo?" I pursed my lips and fixed his tie. 

"A week before your birthday," I explained. August na kasi, kalahati na ng first sem pero parang hindi na ata ako makakalabas sa year na 'to, I pouted. "Why?"

"I'll clear my sched, pupunta ako," paliwanag niya. Umiling agad ako at binaba ang tingin sa ginagawa ko, sa totoo lang, I don't know where to buy extra time anymore. But it'll be so weird to say na wala akong time but I have my time to have a boyfriend. I yawned, I need to go to my practice tomorrow pa pala. Just this year, I started competing internationally and I've been recognized by different houses and ballet organizations na rin.

It's fulfilling. My parents are proud of me. And with that.. I'm happy.

"No need," tugon ko. "If you're not free then you don't have to force it, it'll be fine."

"I want to be there.. I want to watch every fashion show you're in," malungkot niyang saad.

"It's fine naman, there's more in the future, a lot of next times pa, Light," naglakad na ako papunta sa mannequin ko at inilagay ang head piece. Ipapasa ko na bukas lahat ng projects ko and ipapa-check ko kay Killian ang mga tapos ko ng mga damit, he's our org president so he manages it all. May show kasi kami sa darating na A&D month.

"I'll still try," he sighed. "Pero pupunta ka sa birthday ko, ha?" 

"Oo naman," tangi kong sagot at tinanggal na ang mga designs na naka-pin sa cork board ko para ilipat sa folder ng mga finished works. "What should I wear?"

"Kahil wala na, love," tinignan ko siya nang masama na naging dahilan ng pagtawa niya. His mind and mouth haven't changed a bit. Nasanay nalang din ako. 

"Seriously."

"Scary.. " He whispered. "Anything you're comfortable with naman, no need to impress anyone, you do you," he said straightly. Tumango nalang ako at bumalik sa ginagawa ko kanina pa. 

There's a lot that's coming up, fashion show, birthday ni Light, dates, and sem's first half. But I can manage, I know I can. Time management is the key nalang talaga. I exhaled and crossed some on my to do list, mabuti nalang ay onti nalang 'yon kaya nakapag-dinner pa kami ni Light, I know he's tired too and he's just handling it well. 

I know he has sleepless nights, nights where he wishes that his time in Manila never ended, nights where he encounters fights with his family.. Yet he's doing so well. And I'm proud of him for that. I'm so proud to call him my man.. Because I know we have our different principles, we have different dreams, and we're doing it together.

Lumipas na ang araw, malapit na mag-birthday si Light pero mas malapit na ang fashion show namin. In fact bukas na 'yon. I ran up stairs and looked for Killian, hawak ko ang nakabalot na mga damit, hingal na hingal, late na naman kasi ako dahil sa kabilang building pa ang last class ko and I'm not familiar with this new club room. 

"Sorry, I'm late!" I sheepishly said and smiled. Tinignan ko silang lahat at ang karamihan ay nagsasabit lang ng mga hanger sa rack and they all smiled at me.

"Ayos lang, assembly lang naman," said Hannah.

"Oo nga, akin na 'yan, sabit ko na rito," Trisha smiled at me and grabbed the hangers off my hand, tinignan ko si Killian na nakatingin lang sa akin. 

"Late ka na naman," he shook his head.

"Sorry! I got lost!" Excuse ko.

"Fourth year ka na naliligaw ka pa rin?"

"I don't roam around the campus, sorry," I uttered, trying my best not to roll my eyes at him. God! I miss JL so much! This Killian is so full of himself, honestly. But he's kind naman minsan, but most times, nakaka-asar! 

"You should do that more then," he suggested.

"I don't have time and no one's gonna roam around this campus with me, it's so boring, I won't do that," lumapit na ako kay Trisha at in-unzip na ang dala kong cover kanina. 

"Give me the date that I want, I'll date you around the campus," kantyaw niya. I made a disgust face especially when our org members cheered for him, the hell?!

"I have a boyfriend," I smiled sarcastically and tucked a portion of my hair behind my ear while looking something inside my bag, the schedule for tomorrow's event, sa akin kasi inabot no'ng babaeng organizer kanina. 

"True! Pogi no'ng boyfriend niyan!"

"Sino?"

"'Yong president ng FTA, tanginang mukhang 'yon, ang gwapo!"

"'Yong anak ni Mayor? Si Sibal?"

"Oo."

"Iba talaga 'pag Yrreverre na, hindi ma-reach! Gago, gwapo no'n ah! Tapos ang dami nang awards sa regionals? Parang pangalan nalang ata niya laman ng bulletins sa mga awards no'ng dumating siya e."

I looked at them, kung pag-usapan nila si Light parang wala ako rito na girlfriend niya. But I'm happy for him, he's getting the recognition that he deserves. "Yeah, my boyfriend's pretty cool," ngiti ko sa kanila at iniabot kay Killian ang papel for tomorrow's schedule.

"Killian, this is the sched pala for tomorrow, binigay sa akin no'ng organizer kanina," tinaggap niya 'yon at binasa.

Maaga na naman kaming pupunta rito bukas dahil ililipat pa ang mga gamit namin sa backstage because roon ang dressing room. I smiled to myself when I saw a message from Light that he's free tomorrow and he'll be able to go to our event, kailangan din daw kasi sa gazette, siya raw ang in charge. 

"Lettie!" I looked at the crowd and there I saw him standing, as usual, camera strap on his neck and he's wearing the same smile, he waved at me and walked closer, lumapit na rin ako since wala pa namang tao sa field and it's still early. He opened his arms and welcomed my hug. 

"You're early."

"I wanted to have the front view," umatras na siya at ngumiti. I looked at him.. Totoo nga ang sabi ng orgmates ko, he's gwapo nga. And I know for sure those chained piercings added something to his charisma, I chuckled. I'm so weirded out by the thought that he's my boyfriend now. "Coffee?" He offered my a cup and I gladly accepted it.

"Aw.. Thank you," I smiled. "You're not the official gazette photographer, why are you always present in my fashion shows?" His nose scrunched and he ruffled my hair.

"Because I won't miss it for the world, love," paliwanag niya. I stared at him with suspicion but he just laughed at me. 

"Yrreverre!" Agad akong lumingon at si Killian pala 'yon, nakasilip sa backstage, galit. "Ano?! Mamaya na 'yang boyfriend mo! Fashion show muna!" I bit my lower lip and gazed upon Light, his brows are arched and he's looking with a serious gape at Killian. 

"Sorry, I need to go, let's go home together okay?" I took a sip of the coffee and gave it back to him, hindi kasi pwede ang drinks sa likod, or anything that'll stain the clothes, unique pieces 'yon kaya kailangan talaga maingat at hindi 'yon masisira or anything. I ran to the backstage and took care of my model, I'm fixing her hair and lending her my fan that's gifted to me by Light.

I watched her ramp my clothes and smile as she return flawlessly alongside other models. I gave her a hug and congratulated her, ang galing-galing! "Thank you and great job!" I cheered. Tinignan ko ang iba pang mga tao at nang matapos na ang event, si Light and unang hinanap ko, I know he's busy taking pictures and he'll be here in any moment, pero bago pa man ay nag-hug muna kaming lahat before officially parting and calling it a day.

Most of my girl orgmates made beso to me and smiled, isa-isa ko silang kinawayan because I'll be waiting for Light here nalang, alam kong dito 'yon pupunta. I compressed my lips and fidget with my phone. Everyone's packing up na, hawak ko na nga lang ang mga damit na binalik sa akin ng model ko at nasa gilid nalang ako ng stage. 

I took a step back when I felt an unfamiliar kiss on my forehead, tinignan ko nang mabuti kung sino 'yon at si Killian pala. I furrowed my brows, why would he do that?! "The hell?" Inis kong untag. He smirked and watched me. 

"I'll get going, nice one," he winked. I gave him an intense glare and wanted to curse him so bad! 

"Who the hell is that?" Gulat kong tinignan ang kumuha ng mga damit sa braso ko at siya ang bumuhat no'n. "Why did he kiss you on the forehead?" Tinignan ko siya na ngayon ay tinitignan nang masama si Killian.

"Org president, Light," I honestly said. 

"He's an eyesore, he knows that you're in a relationship, right?" He held my hand and I gave him a nod. "Everyone knows you're in a relationship, weirdo," inis niyang sabi at patuloy nang naglakad palayo. "Sabihan mo ako 'pag may ginawa 'yon sa'yo, aight, Lizette?" Tinignan ko siya na seryosong-seryoso sa mga sinasabi niya.

I know he's pissed but I don't want him to put his mind on it, wala naman 'yon.. Killian is just this douche and I can handle him. Sasabihin ko nalang siya, kahit pa matigas ang ulo niya, it's getting uncomfortable already.. 

'Pag sinabi kasi ng isang tao na they're in a relationship.. Just respect the other party and distance yourself. Hindi ko talaga alam kung saan nakakakuha ng kapal ng mukha ang ibang tao. Thus, kahit pa hindi sabihin ni Light, I know he's uncomfortable with it as well. Alam ko rin naman sa sarili ko kung paano ako didistansya, I know where to draw the line.

Hindi siya seloso, because he doesn't want me to feel that I'm trapped.. But I won't give him reasons to be jealous, that's for sure. I pouted and held his hand tightly, I leaned my head on his arms and inhaled. I'm glad he's my first boyfriend. But I pursed my lips as I remember that I haven't told anyone in my family that he's my boyfriend..

But I feel like Ate Mich knows but she doesn't say anything to me. But her stares and smiles says it all.. Kilala ko ang kapatid ko and I know she knows me as well.. Pero hindi niya ako pinapakialaman because she expects me to say something when I'm actually ready of doing so.

Days had passed and after the long preparation for Light's 20th birthday, I found myself entering the mansions of the Sibals while holding a paper bag that's containing my gift for the celbrant. Personalized ties and shirts. I looked around and because of the quiet surrounds of the house the clicking of my heels are prominent. I pouted and looked around to find someone.. Pero wala pa rin akong nakikita, 'til Aling Tising saw me.

"Phe! 'Nak!" I smiled at her and ran to where she is. Niyakap niya ako agad at tinignan. "Nandito ka ba dahil sa kaarawan ni Lucius?" I gave her a nod and looked around, parang walang decorations, baka nasa likod ang handaan.

"Opo, nasaan po ba siya? Sabi niya po kasi agahan ko and ready na raw po siya," I explained to the old lady, she's wearing her uniform.

"Naku! E nasa itaas pa siya, gusto mo bang puntahan siya? Halika't ihahatid kita, mamaya pa sila bababa lahat dahil inaayos pa ang likod," tumango nalang ako at sinundan siya paakyat. I never really reached the second floor of the house, we don't go here ni Light, sabi niya he doesn't like the ambiance of their home as a dating place. 

Hinatid na ako ni Aling Tising sa dulong hallway and it's just a brown wooden door at iniwan na ako roon. I blew my cheeks and knocked, multiple of times. Hindi ko alam baka kasi nasa shower siya, or I should've just stayed down stairs.

Gladly I heard foot steps coming from inside the room and the knob twisted, bumukas 'yon at sumalubong sa akin ang malamig na hangin galing sa kwarto. "What? 'Di ba I told you? Susunod naman ak—" He stopped, ngumiti nalang ako nang pilit at umiwas ng tingin, he's topless and just wearing pants, kita ko ang katawan niya.

Mukhang nag-wo-workout siya, sa tone ng katawan niya.. Sure ako.

"Hi, I'll go down stairs nalang ba?" I bit my lower lip and looked around. Sa sahig nalang ako tumingin dahil ayaw kong titigan ang katawan niya, baka asarin niya lang ako. I'm about to turn around and walk down the hall way pero hinatak niya ang braso ko. 

"Why?" Nanahimik lang ako at hindi pa rin siya tinitignan. "Why aren't you looking at me? Did I do something, love?" I shook my head and gulped. Tinignan ko siya, mata sa mata at pilit na iniiwasang bumaba ang tingin sa body niya, his skin is fair and it's makinis.. 

"Wala.. "

"Bakit hindi mo ako tinitignan? You're not talking to me? Is something wrong?" He shot his eyebrows up and ran his hands through my hair, he fixed it. "You didn't text me, sana nasundo kita sa front door," ngumiti nalang ako.

"Ayos lang," I truthfully said.

"Now, what's wrong? Hmm?" He tucked my hair behind my ear and caressed my cheek with his thumb. Umiling nalang ako. 

"Wala, magbihis ka na, baka nilalamig ka," I said and faked a cough. Kita kong tumingin siya sa katawan niya at bahagyang tumawa. Ngumiwi ako at pilit na umiiwas pa rin, ang ganda ng celing nila.. Mataas at may mga distinctive details. He laughed.

"Let's go inside, I'll just wear a shirt," hinatak na niya ako at sinara ang pinto. I bit my lower lip and looked around his room, it's just black and white, wala nang ibang kulay, he has a big bed in the middle of his room and a chandelier that resembles a spot light pero mini versions.. Maraming clapperboards and trophies sa isang side ng room niya. First time ko 'to makita sa personal. 

It's minimal and pleasing to the eye.. "Upo ka muna, anywhere, there or on the bed," turo niya sa gaming chair niya.. I think that's a study chair. I walked closer to his neatly fixed bed and smiled when I saw a picture frame on his side table, picture namin no'ng graduation.. Just us smiling while holding our certificates and