"Ahm guys, una na ako." I told my friends as I pick up my bag from the floor. 

"Eh? Maaga pa." Ali said as they watch me put on my shoes. 

"I really have to, I had a good time though. And goodluck Laura!" I said with a slight smile on my face. Laura smiled back at me before slowly nodding. 

"Okay, ihahatid kita sa baba." she said and I just nod. We left her bedroom and went downstairs. When I'm already out of their gate, I hop on my motorcycle and drive to Inin's place. 

As I arrived outside the place, I saw his head stick out from the door before a wide smile prints on his face. 

"Excited?" I said as I turn off the engine and jump out of my vehicle. 

His smile widened before nodding, my brows furrowed, "You're excited, wow." I said before getting inside their house. I'm already 3 step inside when I went out and look up at the building under construction. 

"Hi tito!" I waved at tito Ray who's at the top of the building working on something. He look down at me and smiled and wave back. 

I re-enter the house and saw the mugs on the table. "Kakabili lang namin ng kape at asukal kahapon. Bumili na rin kami nung timba ng biskwit tsaka kanina bumili ako ng bananacue, kamote cue, karioka tsaka maruya." he said as he place the foods he mentioned on the table. I sat there, lips parted a bit as I watch all the foods he prepare. 

"Parang masyado naman 'tong marami." I said but he shook his head. 

"Ano ka ba, hindi kaya. Gutom ka ba? Miryenda kaya 'yan, saktong-sakto para sa miryenda 'no!" he said before facing his back at me and grabbing the thermos. I watch him make the coffee for the both of us. I really don't know how he made me like to drink a coffee and its just him who can make me. 

"Na-miss mo ba kape ko?" he joked while stirring the mug which made the both of us chuckle. 

"Mhmm, hindi naman masyado." I joked with a hint of teasing smile on my lips. He look at me and pouted before stop stirring. 

"Gawin ko 'tong mapait eh." he whined which made me burst out laughing, "No no, na miss ko." I said and with that, a smile grew on his face before he continue to stir the coffee. 

"Sus, pag ako ba!" he said and hand me the other mug. 

"Ay wait, yung yelo." he said as he run to grab an ice wrapped in a towel. "Basagin ko lang sandali." he said as he exits their hut. Soon after I hear hammering noise from outside which I guess he's crushing the ice. And after 5 hit, he came back with the ice crushed inside the towel. 

"Ikaw na maglagay ng yelo mo." he said as he place the towel down on the table and sat across me. 

I pouted a bit, "You said sa text mo I am a prinsesa, now serve for me." ani ko bago pinag-cross ang mga braso ko. Bahagyang nanlaki ang mata niya bago napahagalpak ng tawa at utay-utay umiling. 

"Sige sandali lang." ani nito bago tumayo at naghugas ng kamay. Pagbalik niya ay saka niya ako nilagyan ng mga tipak ng yelo sa kape ko. 

"Hintayin mo na matunaw muna yung yelo ng kaunti, baka masyado pa 'yan na matamis." he said and I nod as I stir the coffee by myself. Since the coffee itself is hot, the ice melted quickly so I am able to taste it immediately. 

"Masarap?" he ask and I immediately nod, "Of course, lagi naman." I said as I take another spoonful. 

"Tinapay oh." he push the plate with biscuits closer to me and I grab a plain cracker. 

"How's your day?" I asked as I munch on my food. 

"Okay lang, tumulong ako kanina sa site pero pagkatanghalian ay naligo na ako at nagpahinga." he replied and I nod before taking another sip of my coffee. 

"Ikaw ba? Kamusta araw mo?" he asked back, "Me, well I was with my friends noong nag text ka. May pinag-usapan lang kami." sagot ko bago nag-angat ng tingin sa kaniya. Nakita ko siyang bahagyang nanlaki ang mata. 

"Why? What's wrong?" tanong ko bago hinawakan ang gildi ng labi ko para malaman kung may dumi ba ako sa mukha. 

"Kasama mo pala mga kaibigan mo. Pwede ka naman na hindi pumunta eh. Nag-enjoy nalang dapat kayo." he said before taking a bite of banana cue. 

My brows furrowed, "Hindi 'no, we have been seen each other for quiet a while na. Madalas na kaming magkakasama kaya they won't mind if I leave early." I replied but he pouted. 

"Kahit na, kaibigan mo sila--"

"You're my friend too." I cut him off before I get another biscuit. 

"You're my friend too and we can have our own time together." I added before taking a bite out of the biscuits. I saw his lips parted a bit before slowly nodding. 

"Friends talaga tayo? Bakit mo ako gustong maging kaibigan?" he ask and my brows furrowed, "Because, you're nice, you're funny, you're friendly." I said and he slowly nods. 

"Eh mahirap ako---"

"Ano naman? Wala naman kinalaman ang yaman sa pagkakaibigan eh." I cut him off once again as I slightly feel annoyed on what he's saying. 

It does not make sense. Ano naman kung mahirap siya? Ano naman kung ganun? Wala naman problema doon eh. What does life status have to do with having friends or friendships?! 

"Ah, okay, sa school kasi namin ganun. Yung mga mayayaman, hindi sila nakikipag-usap sa akin." he said and  my brows furrowed once again. 

"Bakit daw?" I asked, he shrug, "Awan, kapag lumalapit ako sa kanila, lumalayo sila. Kapag ka-grupo nila ako sa project, hindi sila makapaniwala. Kadalasan yung mga babae ang ganun eh." he answered before taking a bite out of his food. 

"Huwag ka na kasing makipag kaibigan sa mga kaklase mo na babae. Gaano ba sila kayaman? Sige nga, anong meron sila kaya nasabi mo na mayaman?" I asked before putting both my arms on the table and leaning closer to him. 

I am starting to feel this anger towards his female classmates. Ang aarte nila. 

"Ano... may motor sila, may bahay, may cellphone, bago yung sapatos, yung bag, may pamabayad  sila sa ambagan, yun." he said and my jaw dropped. 

"Okay, listen... yung ganun, that's not really mayaman, that's just middle class. I have my own motor, I live in a huge house, I have my phone and other gadgets, I have stacks of shoes, bags and clothes. I have my own cards, and yet nakikipagkaibigan ako sa'yo-- ipakita mo nga sa akin 'yang mga mukha nila!" I exclaimed, hint of annoyance very audible in my voice. 

If I really see their faces and they are not even beautiful, I will curse at them. 

"Ito oh, ito silang apat." he showed his phone at me where a picture of four musty girls are flashed. 

"What?! That's them?! Really?! Sa hitsura nila na 'yan ang aarte nila?! Pinagtatarayan ka niyang mga 'yan? My gosh Inin, nagpapa-api ka sa mga ganiyan kapangit?!" I exclaimed, hands on my forehead as I pull away from the phone. 

"They have the audacity to discriminate you just because you can't afford things but they look like that?! Ako, aminado ako na maarte at mataray pero kataray-taray at ka arte-arte naman hitsura ko. Eh sila?! May lakas sila ng loob na magtaray sa ganiyan na hitsura!? Tell me what they said to you?" I asked, Inin pull away his phone and sigh. 

"Hindi nga ako kinakausap eh." he said as he stir his coffee. 

"Kahit ano? Hindi talaga?" I asked again, 

He look up at the roof, "Ano... sabi nung kaibigan ko sinabihan daw ako ng apat na 'yan na maitim ako." he said and I scoff, I'm gonna loose my sanity because of those four. 

"Show me their picture again." I said and Inin pick up his phone and hand it to me. 

I zoom in the photos and I can already cite all the judgement I can say about them, "Ito, itong isang 'to." I pointed at the girl wearing a yellow crop top. 

"Maitim din siya tapos ang lakas ng loob nila na sabihan ka ng ganun. Yung pusod niya kita pero ang itim naman!" I exclaimed, almost shouting. I hear Inin scoff and hold his laugh. 

"Ano pa?" I asked again, he fix his posture and tilt his head a bit, "Ang sama daw ng buhok ko kasi kulot." Napapikit ako at napamasahe sa noo. 

"Yung buhok nga ng isa sa kanila, picture palang alam kong wala rin iginanada." I said before placing the phone back on the table. 

"Pero hayaan mo na 'yon, muntikan naman na silang maging repeater ng grade 10." When he said that, my eyes widened and burst out laughing. 

"See!! They deserve it! Dapat naging repeater na talaga sila! That's their karma for treating you bad!" I said before picking up my mug and sipping my coffee. 

We were startled when we heard noises from outside, and a moment later someone is shouting Inin's name. 

"Inin! Yung tatay mo!" Parehas kaming napatayo ni Inin mula sa mga aming inuupuan at nag-unahan pa na lumabas. Paglabas namin ay nakita namin si tito Ray na karga-karga ng mga katrabaho niya at ibinababa ng hagdan. 

"Tito ano pong nangyari kay papa?!" Inin asked the other guy, 

"Nahimatay ang tatay mo, dadalhin namin sa ospital, sumunod ka nalang." When they're already at the ground. They put tito inside a tricycle and I saw Inin rush back to their hut. When he came out, he's holding a black body bag and closing the door. 

"Lory umuwi ka muna--"

"No, sumakay ka sa motor, kunin mo yung helmet mo!" I cut him off, he nod and rush back to their hut while I start the engine of my motor. The tricycle already left but I know what hospital they're talking about. When Inin came out, he immediately hop on behind me and we drove off to the hospital. 

While driving, I can feel how tight Inin's grip on my shirt, I drive as fast as I can but as safe at it can be also. 

When we arrived outside the hospital, Inin immediately rush inside while I park my motor. When I get inside, I can't see him anywhere. 

"Excuse me, miss have you seen a guy, curly hair, tanned skin?" I asked to the nurse who I pass by. 

"Yes po ma'am, sa emergency room po." she replied and I nod before rushing to the emergency room. Outside the emergency room is where I saw tito Ray's co-workers. 

"Hija nasa loob sila." One said and I nod before I pass by them and enter the emergency room. I saw Inin standing beside a bed where tito is at. I slowly walk towards him and listen to what the doctors are saying. 

Tito fainted due to over exhaustion and the hot weather. It's summer which means the heat in the Philippines is worse. 

I just stand there listening to the doctor while Inin is nodding. Tito was suggested to stay at the hospital for a night so the doctors can check on him. 

When the doctor leave, Inin still haven't noticed me since his attention is focused on tito who is laying down on the bed. I leave his back and walk on the other side. 

"Hey, you okay?" I asked him when I can't see his face. 

I hear him sniff and soon wipe his face, he nods, "Oo, okay lang ako." he answered as he lift his head up. 

A slight smile form on my lips as I saw him cry, he loves his father so much. 

"Alam kong gagaling agad si tito. Ang strong kaya niya, baka papa mo 'yan." I said with a hint of joy in my voice to lift up his mood. And it worked, he smiled and chuckle a bit. 

"Tama tama, malakas si papa." he said as he hug the bag he's holding. 

"Ano 'yan?' I ask pointing at the bag. 

He look down at it, "Ah ito, laman nito yung passbook ni papa. Mga ipon at pera namin. Baka kasi mawala kapag iniwan ko. Tsaka pambayad ko na rin." he said and I slowly nod. I reach for my bag and reach for my wallet inside. I open it and saw my peso bills. 

I walk towards Inin's side, "Here," I push the money to his hands. 

He look at it with furrowed brows, "Lory ano 'to? Hindi, ayaw ko." he said pushing it away. 

I flick my tongue, "Sige na, isa." I said with a threatening voice. "Lory ano ba, may pambayad naman kami." he said and I widened my eyes at him. 

"Kahit na, sige na, kunin mo na." I said pushing it toward him again, he pouted before finally receiving it. 

"Salamat, hiyang-hiya na talaga ako sayo." he said as he put the money inside a wallet. 

"Sus, wala 'yun, I'm helping tito and you. Imbes na ipambayad mo yung ipon niyo, iyan nalang para hindi mabawasan yung ipon mo." I said and he slowly nod. 

"Babayaran kita ha--"

"Hindi na, huwag na." I cut him off since I already know what he's about to say. 

He flick his tongue and scratch the back of his head, "Ang kulit mo naman Lory, babayaran nga kita." he said and I sigh. 

"No need--"

"Pero gusto ko--"

"Inin bakit mo inaaway si Lory?" Parehas kaming napatingin ni Inin kay tito nang bigla itong magsalita. 

"Pa! Gising kana! Ano po bang nangyari sa inyo?! Bigla-bigla kang natutulog sa site, walang kama dun!" Inin joked which made tito chuckle. 

"Ikaw talagang bata ka, kung ano-anong sinasabi mo. Nakakahiya kay Lory oh." Tito said, pointing at me which made me shyly smile. 

"Siya, tara na at mapapamahal tayo dito kapag tumagal pa." Tita was about to stand up which made me eyes widened but Inin immediately push him back. 

"Pa sabi po ng doktor dito daw muna tayo magpalipas ng gabi. Tsaka huwag ka nang mag-alala sa pambayad kasi binigyan na ako ni Lory." ani ni Inin, nanlaki ang mata ni tito at napatingin sa akin. 

"Naku hija, huwag na. Inin ibalik mo kay Lory ang pera niya." ani ni tito at umiling ako. 

"Hindi po tito, tulong ko na po sa inyo iyan. Huwag niyo po sanang tanggihan." ani ko, napatingin si tito sa akin bago kay Inin. 

Napabuntong hininga si tito, "Ganun ba? Salamat ng sora-sobra hija. Napakabait mo na bata." ani nito at napangiti ako. 

Habang nagbabantay si Inin kay tito ay naisipan ko na bumili ng pagkain para sa kanila. Umalis muna ako ng ospital at pumunta sa grocery para bumili ng prutas at mga tinapay at inumin ni tito. Bumili na rin ako ng mga lutong pagkain para sa kanila dahil baka hindi sila mabusog ng tinapay at biscuits. 

Naglalakad na ako pabalik ng emergency room nang may biglang tumawag sa akin kaya napilitan akong ibaba ang mga dala ko. 

My brows furrowed when I saw Sam's caller ID, but I decided to brush it off and not answer his call. I brought the food to Inin and tito, Inin immediately gave tito food and water while I fix the foods at the side. Until he once again called. 

I'm ignoring it until Inin tap my shoulder. 

"Sagutin mo kaya." he said, I sigh and nod as I get my phone from my bag. 

"Hello?" I said as I am meters away form tito ang Inin. 

[Hey, your mom and my parents wants us to have another dinner together. I'll pick you up by 7:30PM.] he said and my jaw dropped. 

"Hey hey, wait, I haven't said yes." I said before glancing at tito ang Inin. 

[Well? Are you not going?? It's your mom who wants this.] he said which made me sigh in frustration. 

"Fine, fine, I'll go." I said before ending the call, not wait for his answer. 

"Inin, tito, uuwi na po muna ako." Paalam ko kila tito nang makalapit ako. 

"Oh sige, ingat ka hija. Salamat ulit, napakabuti mo na bata." tito said and I smiled before nodding. 

I look at Inin and waved at him before I rush out of the emergency and drive myself home. 

It around 6PM already, the sky is dark so when I arrived at the house, I immediately took a quick shower, and after that I went through my clothes and pick a white, off shoulder dress and a shoes to pair with it. 

I dried my hair and applied a light make-up. I am not yet done when I already hear his car outside which made me curse and rush to get a bag and put my things inside. I leave my bedroom and rush downstairs where I saw mom by the door. 

"He's waiting for you." Mom said as she slightly push me out of the house. 

I didn't even get to say goodbye to Theo! 

"Hey, you look... mad." He said as I walk towards him. 

I rolled my eyes, "Let's just get over this and let's eat quick." I said before I hop in at the passenger seat. 

Just like our usual dinner dates, I am silent the whole travel. I noticed now that he brought me to Ysabella's for tonight. 

"We'll have Lomi, Special Chami, Buttered Chicken, Buffalo wings, and fish fillet." he ordered, he then look at me where I raised a brow at him. 

"Is there something you want to order?" he ask, I sigh and went through the menu. 

"We'll also have two Cookies and Cream smoothies." I added and the waitress nod. She repeated our order before leaving us. I pull out my phone and begun scrolling through my socials.

"I can see the progress in this arrange thingy." he said which caught my attention. 

"What do you mean?" I asked, 

He smiled, "You ordered smoothies for the both of us, not just for yourself but for me too." he said and that's when I realized what he mean. 

"Ah yes, I thought I am still with him that's why I am being nice." I said before putting my attention back on my phone. 

"Him? You mean your guy? You were with him?" he ask and a slight smirk flash on my lips. 

I lift my head up, "Yes, I was with HIM when you called, you ruined our time." I said and his brows furrowed. 

"You're 17, you're already dating someone?" he ask, his voice slightly stern. 

"Who says we're dating, who says we're not. Basta magkasama kami when you called me." I said before looking back at my phone. 

Silence field the whole restaurant, the breeze here seems pretty nice since the restaurant is surrounded by bamboo. But you still cant deny the slight heat when there's no wind passing by. 

The foods then came and we start eating. I am still not uttering any word and spoon and fork hitting the plate is the only noise around. 

Until he speaks, "I only have a year left in senior highschool, I'll be entering college soon." he said and I lift my head up. 

"Well congrats then, I guess." I said, he looks at me then sigh, "When you enter college our parents might make us live together." he said I nod. 

"Sure, as long as you don't bother me. What they want is for us to live together and maybe develop feelings which will never happen. But we can just act it out just like this one." I said before continue eating. Once again silence field the area and until we finished eating. He paid for the foods and we return to his car. 

The route we're taking is the same route to the hospital, my phone died in the middle of our dinner and I can't message Inin anymore to ask if they already ate. 

"Sam, take a turn sa hospital." I said and he look at me confused then look back at the road. 

"Are you okay?---"

"Yes, just do what I said." I cut him off, he took turn just like what he said. 

He parked his car in front of the hospital. I immediately went out and rush inside to go the Emergency room. I can hear Sam's voice calling me but I brush it off. When I reached the door of the emergency room, I stopped there and peak. 

They're eating together. They're eating the food I gave them and it looks like they are actually having fun. A smile prints on my lips as I saw tito and Inin smile. 

"That's him?" I got startled a bit when Sam speak behind me. 

"Yes! Now let's go!" I slightly pushed him away from me before I walk away from the Emergency room and exit the hospital. He opened the door of the passenger seat using the remote and I enter inside and few seconds later he also hop in. 

"That's him right?" He ask again, I sigh and nod, "Yes," I shortly answered. He started the engine of his car, "What a lucky man, captured the heart of Avery Louise."