"Anong oras flight mo tonight?" 

Habang tinitiklop ko ang mga punda, nilingon ko siya. He's cooking for dinner kahit maaga pa naman, hindi pa nga umuuwi si Seve dahil si Ate Mich ang sumundo, maglalaro raw sila sa bahay nila dahil miss na ni Mallari ang anak ko. 

"Twelve," simple kong sagot at nilagay na ang mga folded sheets sa basket para aayusin ko na sa cabinet mamaya. 

"Hatid kita.. " 

"No thanks, walang kasama si Sev, and pwede akong mag-book."

"Bakit hindi ka nalang bumili ng kotse? You want my car?" Nilingon ko siyang prenteng nakasandal sa labo habang seryoso akong tinitignan. Aanhin ko naman ang kotse niya.. Hindi naman ako magaling mag-drive, baka 'yan pa ang ikamatay ko. 

"What? Binabaon mo ba ako sa utang?" 

"Medyo," he laughed. "But seriously though.. Hindi safe ang public transportation. You should have your own car, or I'll hire a driver fo—"

"Para kang sira, ayos naman ako e, isa pa? Anong driver? Hatid at sundo lang ang gagawin niya sa akin magtatapon ka lang ng pera," I rolled my eyes and sat on the sofa. Tinignan ko ang TV at nanonood lang pala siya ng CNN, akala ko naman kung ano.

"Hindi naman pagtatapon ng pera 'yon.. It's for your saf—"

"Safe ako."

"Hindi ka nakikinig, hindi ka ba nanonood ng news? I can't afford to risk you, naiintindihan mo?" Mabilis ko siyang tinignan at kita ko ang bakas ng inis sa boses niya. Napaka pikunin niyang tao.

"Ang pikon mo."

"Ang tigas ng ulo mo."

"Sure," pambubwiset kong sabi. 

"Anong oras uwi mo?"

"May shuttle 'yong airlines namin," paliwanag ko.

"I'll fetch you, what time?" Makulit niyang pilit. I just sighed and massaged my head, mas makulit pa siya kay Seve, 'pag sinabi ko sa anak kong 'no', then it's a 'no'. Pero kay Light? Kailagan pa ng sampung paliwanag bago pa niya ako tantanan. 

"You're so gulo, you're so kulit," I uttered, exasperated. 

"What time?"

"8AM," I gave up.

"Okay, Seve and I will be there by 7:30."

"'Wag mo nang gisingin si Seve, hintayin niyo nalang ako rito," I firmly said. Hoping that he'd give up the idea. Nanahimik nalang siya, I'm guessing that's a yes. Tuloy lang siya sa pagluluto at hindi na kumibo. The news flashed the movie that he made, international na talaga 'tong is Lucius. 

Pinapak ko ang apples na hiniwa at binigay niya sa akin, hindi pa rin siya tapos sa mga niluluto niya, ang aga-aga pa pero gusto niya nang gawin 'yon dahil susunduin daw namin si Seve kila Ate, I just agreed, magdadala raw siya ng pagkain doon as a sign of gratitude na pinatuloy nila ang anak namin.

Parang ewan lang. 

"Light, sa totoo lang, hindi mo naman kailangan bigyan ng pagkain sila Ate, e, they typically do this naman h—"

"I want to thank them for welcoming our child, isn't that okay? I want to thank them for treating Sev good and making them happy, look, I even learned how to cook Mari's favorite strawberry french toast!" Pagmamayabang niya, inaaya pa akong tignan kung ano man 'yong ginawa niya.

Tamad akong tumayo at tinignan ang gawa niya, it looks appetizing, really. May strawberries 'yong toast at mabango siya. "Sino nagturo sa'yo niyan?" I squinted my eyes, kinuha na niya ang isang bento box na may cute parchment paper lining at dahan-dahang nilagay roon ang pagkain ng pamangkin ko.

"Si Architect," he said while smiling. Tinutukoy niya si Kuya Eli. I purckered my lips to prevent a smile. Ang cute niya, ang eager niya matuto.

"Kailan ka pa natuto magluto?"

"Ever since high school? I always cook lunch for you before.. Hindi mo na ba naalala?" Malungkot niya akong tinignan habang sinasara ang lunch box na kulay pink, bumili pa talaga siya, ha.. 

"Naalala.. But you never cooked anything like these, laging salad or breast," I explained. Mukha kasing anytime magmamaktol na siya sa akin. 

"Because I searched for your meal plan online, it said those things, hindi naman kita bibigyan ng bagay noon ng mga bagay na ayaw mo naman or makakasama sa'yo," pagmamalinis niya. 

"Aw, concerned," pang-aasar ko sa kaniya at sumandal sa lababo para panoorin siyang ilagay sa loob ng eco bag lahat ng mga bagay na niluto niya para sa mag-asawang pupuntahan namin. 

"Was, still is, and will continue to be," proud niyang sabi at hinarap ako. He smiled at me and winked. 

"Ewan ko sa'yo," I shook my head. 

"Ganiyan na ang suot mo? Hindi ka na magpapalit? Aalis na tayo," tanong niya. Naglinis na siya ng nilutuan niya at dumeretso sa harap ko para maghugas ata. Tumingala lang ako sa kaniya at hinintay siyang magsalita. "Hindi ka po ba tatabi?" He cocked his head and smiled.

"Sorry," I laughed and took a step side. "Ako maghuhugas ayos lang," offer ko.

"You already cooked lunch and did the laundry, it's fine," he announced. Hindi na ako pinansin at deretso nang naghugas. "Get ready nalang." 

"Bakit.. Pangit ba ang suot ko?" Malungkot kong tanong habang tinitignan ang pink sundress ko. "Hindi ba magan—"

"Maganda, sobra, maganda ka rin, sobra.. Don't worry about it, I just asked kasi typically.. Before you will," he cleared his throat. "You know.. An hour or so just to pick your clothes.. Just in case.. " He carefully said. I smiled.

"Naalala mo lahat 'no?" Pang-aasar ko sa kaniya at dinutdot ang tagiliran, nasanay lang ako kay Seve dahil gan'on kami mag-asaran. Mabilis siyang napa-atras habang tumatawa, parang si Seve talaga. "Tatay ka talaga ng anak mo," I absentmindedly uttered.

"I remember everything I want to remember, Lettie.. People remembers everything that feels special to them, and everything before.. Felt special to me," hindi niya man lang ako tinignan nang sinabi 'yon.

My ears felt hot, ako naman ang umubo ngayon at nag-iwas ng tingin. Hindi na ako nagsalita at umalis na ako sa pagkakasandal sa lababo. 

"And yeah, I can tell.. Seve and I are pretty alike.. Ako talaga ang tatay n'on.. Ako lang naman.. Eight years ago.. 'Di ba? Kasi.. Ikaw lang eight years ago.. Hanggang ngayon, Lizette," pasaring niya. I walked away and let my feet feel cold.

"O-Oo naman.. Ikaw lang.. Simula noon, ikaw lang," paninigurado ko sa kaniya at pumasok na sa kwarto.

I honestly don't know what set up I'll have with him, if he wants us to stay where he wants to stay, as long as Seve's fine with it I'll probably be, too. Walang problema sa akin.. Hindi lang sa La Carlota, dahil sa ngayon, hindi ko pa talaga kaya.

But if a part of Seve will be unlocked if we go there.. Then I'll learn how to be okay with it. Kung doon sila sasaya ni Light.. Susubukan ko.. Or kahit silang dalawa lang ang pumunta roon.. Tutal, kampante na naman ako na kaya niyang protektahan si Seve.. 

Because of everything that happened in the past, I almost forgot about who Light is.. Kung paano siya kaalaga, kung gaano siya katapang, the way he always he has his stance.. I almost forgot that.. Because I was blinded with pain..

Because of the years that lined us, I almost forgot who the Light I used to love is.. But now.. I am slowly remembering it, that he's this good.. And most times, misunderstood.

"Saan ba 'to papunta? Hindi naman ito ang village nila Ate! Naliligaw ata tayo! Sa kabila pa 'yong village nila, 'yung sumuno—"

"Lizette Ophelia, chill, please," he chortled.

"Hindi nga rito 'yon! Kita mo puro bakanteng lote rito! Hindi rito nakatira sila Mallari! Naliligaw ta—"

"When did you ever become this exaggerated, hmm?" He reached for my hair and tousled it. "Kalma.. Hindi kita ililigaw.. Liligawan pwe—"

"Wow, commercial," pambabasag ko sa kaniya. Hindi nalang ako nagsalita at nagtiwala nalang kung saan nya ako dadalhin. Wala nga akong nakikitang bahay rito, puro bakanteng lote at parang club house palang ang nadadaanan namin na nakatayo na pero hindi pa tapos. Ano ba 'to!

Tumigil kami sa tapat ng isang bakanteng lote at bumaba na siya, may kinuha siya sa likod at umikot para pagbuksan ako ng pinto. Inalalayan niya ako pababa ng kotse niya at mabilis nalang din akong sumunod. 

"Ano 'to?" 

"Wait," he cued. Nilatag niya ang isang tela sa isang makinis na parte ng bakanteng lote at nilagyan ng bato ang bawat gilid no'n, kitang-kita ko kung paano unti-unting lumubog ang araw. "Lika na," he tapped the spot next to him.

And without a thought, I took his hand and sat beside him. 

"Lettie.. Can you tell me more?" Parang bata niyang tanong.

"About?" Amazed ako sa nakikita kong pagbabago ng kulay ng langit, kahit lagi ko naman 'yon nakikita, iba pa rin 'pag nasa lupa ka.. The view up there isn't really as dreamy as it looks.. Or baka ako lang 'yon. 

"About everything that had happened when I was gone.. " He whispered.

"Hmm.. " Tinukod ko ang kamay ko sa likod para masuportahan ang bigat ko at nag-isip ng mga pwedeng ikwento sa kaniya. "Oh.. Aling Pasing," I smiled as I remember her. 

"Who is she?"

"The angel who had taught me that motherly love doesn't always have to be.. Abusive and traumatic," ngumiti ako nang malaki. Miss ko na si Aling Pasing, ang tagal ko nang hindi nakakatawag sa kaniya dahil nga madalas naman akong wala. 

"She helped me through a lot, helped me to get a job, she taught me how to do the laundry, how to plant vegetables so even if I have no money Seve and I can eat.. Tinuruan niya ako nang maraming bagay na hanggang ngayon ipinagpapa-salamat ko sa kaniya.. " 

"She treated me as family without wanting anything in return.. Pwede pala 'yon 'no?" Tinignan ko siya, he's looking at me and smiling, too. "Pwede palang mag mahal kahit walang kapalit na kahit ano.. Pwede ka naman palang tumanggap ng pagmamahal.. Kahit wala kang ginagawa.. " 

"Pwede ka naman palang mahalin kahit wala ka.. Even you didn't turned out as someone you expected yourself to be.. Pwede ka pa rin palang mahalin, Light.. " Malumanay kong sabi. "I never realized.. Being loved doesn't come to which conditions.. Hindi ko naman pala kailangan maging kung anong gusto nilang maging ako para makatanggap ng.. Pagmamahal.. Kas—"

"Because those people who genuinely loves you? Will love you regardless of your flaw, regardless of your rests, regardless of your ugly side.. " He whispered and held my free hand. Minasahe niya 'yon at pinanatili ang tingin doon. 

" ..We can still be loved no matter how ugly we think we are.. No matter how unworthy and uncommon we might be perceived.. The right people will find.. That something that's so beautiful in us.. And make it seem as if it's all rainbows and butterflies," he paused and stared at me. "Just like how you found that one great thing in me back then.. "

"And like how you never unloved me after seeing how flawed I was?" I chortled. 

"Your.. Flaw.. Made you more loveable, Lettie.. Because it makes you.. Human.. Your imperfection makes it more great because you are real, those make you.. You. Masarap magmahal kahit alam mong.. Hindi lahat tama pero alam mong mahal mo sila, walang pero-pero, walang dahilan, walang bakit, walang kapalit.. Basta mahal mo lang sila.. "

"I loved you more because I saw how imperfect we are.. I loved you more when I saw your bruised feet for the first time," mahina siyag tumawa. "Mas minahal kita no'ng mga panahong hindi mo na nakikita ang sarili mong kamahal-mahal.. It made you more enchanting.. Mas minahal kita no'ng nagka-pimple break out ka," he scoffed.

"Mas minahal kita no'ng nakita kitang madapa sa steps sa Cornelia Avenue," mahina ko siyang tinulak habang tumitingala para hindi tumulo ang mga luha. "Mas minahal kita.. No'ng bumagsak ka sa exams mo, o no'ng nakuha mo ang una mong dos.. Mas minahal kita sa mga parteng akala mo hindi ka na kamahal-mahal, Lettie.. " 

I stared at him and bit my lower lip so I could stop it from trempling.

"I loved you beyond your flaws and perfections, I loved you beyond how you were perceived.. Because that's how you loved me," he looked at me and wiped my tears away. "You loved me unconditionally.. You supported me when I flopped, you supported me when my scripts aren't even that good.. And I never failed to fail from then on.. " 

Inayos niya ang buhok kong tinangay ng malakas na hangin at pinahirap ang pisnge. "Because I know, even I'm not the best at everything I do.. You'll be there.. Who loves me even if I don't turn out as someone I expected I will become." 

"So, Lettie.. Even if you're not the person you imagined yourself to be ten years ago? I.. Lucius Sibal, was, is still, and will always be.. Proud of you have become.. You're better than I expected.. You gave me Seve, you gave Seve his life, you gave us life, you are doing your best and you're doing spectacular.. You did so well in the past few years.. You did so well without me.. " He let me bury my face on his shoulders as I nurture every words he says.

"You did so well in deciding.. Because if it was me? I would've never thought of your dreams.. I would always think of being together.. But you? You had lifted me up.. At nagpapasalamat ako sa lahat ng 'yon, Lizette.. Sobra-sobra.. Humihingi rin ako ng tawad.. Sa lahat ng nasabi ko.. H-Hindi ko naisip lahat ng rason mo.. Hindi ko naisip ang nararamdaman mo.. " I huffed for air. It's the first time someone had talked to me like this.

Thanking me for everything I have done.. I'm crying like a child who just knew that she can be loved regardless.. 

Light never failed to remind me this.. To failure and rests will never be who I am.

"Thank you for everything.. You exceeded everything I had ever thought of.. I could never imagine someone bearing my child in this world.. Better than how you did," he whispered as he caress the back of my head. Natawa siya sa kung paano ako humagulgol sa leeg niya. 

"Sorry, u-umiiyak ak—"

"Hush, you can cry and be tired around me, baby, always.. Don't be sorry for.. Feeling like this.. Please," he consoled. "Minahal kita noon, and I want you to know that after eight longs years.. Lizette Ophelia.. Mas.. Minamahal na ata kita ngayon.. " He tugged me to a hug and let his lips touch the top of my head. 

The sun already set, kumalma at tumahan na rin ako, wala na kaming ibang ginawa kung hindi tumawa sa mga funny experiences niya sa States at kung ano ang mga funny experiences ko sa eroplano, we just laughed at those, trying our best to catch up. So we can't feel that we were ever absent in each other's lives. The sounds of crickets surrounded us. 

I.. Hate to admit it.. But I've never been this assured in years.. Seve and him has this power over me.. It's amazing.

"Lizette.. "

"What?"

"This.. Is the lot I'm planning to buy.. Is this.. Okay for you? This will be the one we're going to buy.. Unless you want to buy a different one, marami pa rito.. " Nanlaki ang mata ko sa sinabi niya. Alin dito? Anong borders ng lupa ang meron kami?

"H-Ha? Hanggang saan ba? Kung itong inuupuan natin hanggang doon l—"

"Simula dito sa inuupuan natin hanggang sa dulo, Lettie.. "

"Ano?!" Mabilis ako napahiwalay sa kaniya at nilibot ang tingin ko. Ang laki masyado! Ano kami? Magpapatira ng isang malaking baranggay? "Lucius, ang laki masyado! Mag sasayang ka ng pera! Apat lang tayong titir—"

"B-Bakit? May.. Balak ka bang gawing only child si Seve, Lizette?" He furrowed his brows. 

"Kahit, mag-anak ako ng isa—"

"Tayo, correction, okay, sige continue with the narrative." My mouth flew open.. Anong tayo? 

"Anong pinagsasabi mo?" I blinked multiple of times. He narrowed his eyes and crossed his arms over his chest.

"Bakit? Hindi pa ba tayo uli—"

"Ano ba 'yang mga sinasabi mo?" Hindi ko makapaniwalang sabi. 

"Ah, basta, bakit? Kanino mo balak mag-anak ng isang-dosena? Pwede, ikaw, at ang mga anak mo na tumira sa bahay na ipapatayo natin, pero 'yong kabit mo? Hanap siyang sarili niyang bahay, he's not wel—"

"Oh my God.. Ang immature mo.. " I whispered to myself, I can't believe it.

"Eh ano ba? Tayo ba o hindi? Ano ba dapat gagawin ko? Liligawan ulit kita? I can do th—"

"Paano si Ezra?" Hindi ko mapigilang tanong. His shoulders eased as a smirk immediately grew in her lips. 

"Paano kayo ni Saidee?" His brow shot up, mas lumaki ang awang ng bibig ko.

"What?! Saidee?! We're not together! Saan mo ba nakukuha ang mga gan—"

"See, same answer with your question, we're not together," he grinned. "Now, tell me, my love, what do I do to get that yes of yours for the second time?" 

"Masyadong malaki ang lote na 'to, Light," balik ko sa topic.

"What if I want twelve kids?" 

"I can give you twelve kids, but the kids doesn't need this big ass house, Lucius," I explained calmly. 

"Oh.. So you don't have plans on making Seve an only child, huh," he leered. Umirap nalang ako. Obviously. "Tama, really, Lettie, I think I have fortune, kailangan nating mag-anak ng marami.. Hindi pwedeng isa lang ang magmamana ng mga ka—"

"The lot is too big."

"Lettie pw—"

"No. It's too big."

"Gusto kong magpatayo ng basket ball court! Bubuo tayo ng basket ball team, Lettie!" He convinced me but I shook my head. 

"Three-fourths," I said. He sighed, ang tinutukoy niyang lupa at parang kasing laki na ng dalawang full sized tennis court! Anong gagawin namin sa ganoong lupa? Wala! It'll just be a liability! 

"Paano na ang basketball team ko.. " Malungkot niyang sabi. "Lettie.. I want to start building a family.. Like a big family.. What do I do to get your yes again, love?" Malambing niyang tanong. I shrugged and stood up. 

"I don't know, buy me a lot or what," sabi ko at pumunta na sa kotse niya. A smile is plastered on my lips.

Dahil sa tigas ng ulo ng mag-ama ko, they picked me up at the airport exactly when I got off from work. Tuwang-tuwa sila dahil nakapag-drive thru sila sa isang fast food chain at nasundo nila ko't wala naman akong nagawa. Now that I am home, wala naman silang ginawa kung hindi pagsilbihan ako, hindi ko sila maintindihan!

They never gave me a work to do! Ang kukulit!

"Seve, ask Mommy na about what we talked about," sabi ni Light na nakangiti lang sa akin. Niliitan ko sila ng mata at pinanood si Seve na ayos na ayos na lumapit sa akin at nag-kiss pa! He