"I'll be coming home late later, don't wait for me." I informed Sam while I'm fixing my clothes in front of the mirror, 

I hear him hum, "Sure, saan ka pupunta??" he ask, sitting down on the edge of the bed. 

I faced him and my brows furrowed, "Well... date with him, of course." I replied before facing the mirror again. 

"Mhmm, sure, mga anong oras ka uuwi?" he ask and I rolled my eyes, 

"I said don't wait for me, I don't know, it's Friday today and tomorrow is Saturday, you don't need to worry." I replied before walking towards the bed and grab my bag, 

"Now let's go, may class ako ng 7:30." I said and he just nod, we soon leave the unit and drove to the university. 

The whole day, my mind badly want my classes to end. I always look at the time and I want every class to end quickly. While eating lunch, me and Inin are talking to each other. I asked Sam to not eat with me today since I've been noticing some girls looking at us whenever we are together and I don't want people to think that we are dating. 

My last class is until 3pm, when our prof dismissed the class, I immediately rush out of the classroom. I went to the bathroom to change my clothes since I got a bit sweaty this afternoon and I don't want to look musty during our date. I also retouched my make up and made sure I look good. 

As I am walking through the hallway, I almost bumped into someone, 

"Be careful next time," I said to the girl before continue walking, I'm already meters apart from her when she speak. 

"Girlfriend ka ni Sam Ponce 'no?" she shouted, there are not much people by the hallway but it did caught some attentions. 

I stopped walking and turn around to face her, "No, pwede niyo naman siyang landiin kung gusto niyo." I said before continue walking and not looking back. 

When I have exited the building and the gates, I took a taxi to PUP, this has been my routine whenever me and Inin are having a date. Ako ang sumusundo sa kaniya sa PUP at minsan ay naghihintay pa na matapos ang classes niya. But since it's a long travel from Ateneo to PUP, I would arrive at their campus and his classes are done already. 

Nang makababa ako ng taxi at nakapagbayad na ay pumasok na ako sa loob, there are other students who's leaving the campus and some of them are looking at me. I don't mind them looking at me, I'm used on people mesmerized on how I look. 

I sat on one of the bench while waiting for Inin, he knows where to find me since this is the place where I always wait for him. 

And just like what I expected, 3 minutes later, I saw him running towards me, holding a small paper bag. 

"Hey,"

"Hello!" He immediately pull me into a hug, "Look, may binili ako para sayo!" he said with a wide smile while showing me the paper bag. 

"What's that?" I asked, reaching for the bag. He kept a smile on his face as I open the paper bag. 

"It's brownies!! Diba mahilig ka sa matamis? May nagtitinda na kaklase ko, tinikman ko muna bago ako bumili para sure na masarap, tapos maganda rin yung lagayan kaya bumili na ako." he said with a wide smile on his face. When I opened the container, my jaw dropped on how it looks so delicious. 

"Nagustuhan mo?" he ask and I look at him before nodding, 

"Super! Mukhang masarap!" I said before closing the lids, "Let's go na? Saan ba tayo today?" I ask while putting the container back to the paper bag. 

"Food court, ulit?" he ask and I nod, "Eat all you can?" I ask and he chuckled before nodding, "Sure!" he replied, I clung my arms to his arms as we exit their campus. 

When we arrived at the food court, we bought eat all you can pass and started going around to get our foods. 

"Parang ang kaunti naman niyan?" he said when I placed my tray on our table, 

"I'm not done yet kaya, 'yan lang yung kasya sa tray eh." I said and he chuckled before nodding, "Sige sige, hintayin kita dito." he said as he sat down, I nod and run towards the other stalls to grab more foods. 

I'm walking back towards our table, taking small steps as I'm being careful with my tray, when Inin noticed me struggling with the tray, he stood up from his seat and take the tray from me. 

"Upo kana, ako na ang bahala dito." he said and I nod, I take my seat and watch him prepare the foods for us. 

"This lobster looks so good!" I said and dig in to the food, narinig ko siyang humagikhik bago kumain. 

"Kailan ka uuwi ng Tagkawayan? Holiday season is around the corner." I asked him while eating, he shrugged, 

"Siguro ano... mga 24 na," he replied and my brows furrowed. 

"What if ma-traffic ka?" I ask and he smiled, "Okay lang yun, umaga naman ako aalis." he said and I nod, 

"Ikaw ba? Kailan ka uuwi?" he ask and I shrug as well, "I don't know, siguro before Christmas na rin." I replied and he hum, 

"Hindi kayo magbabakasyon sa ibang bansa? Diba last year nag ibang bansa ka?" he ask and I slightly tilt my head, "Hindi siguro, wala naman kaming plano." I replied and he nods, 

"Anong gusto mo na regalo sa pasko?" he ask and my brows furrowed, "None, you don't have to buy me a gift, I'm okay, Inin." I replied and he nods, 

"Kahit ano nalang siguro." he said and I nod while chewing on my food, 

"Yes, kahit ano nalang, you know I appreciate whatever you give me." I said and a smile prints on his face, 

"Nakakakilig naman yun, ano ka ba!" he whined which made the both of us burst out laughing, 

"Lagi mo nalang akong pinapakilig! Hala ka kapag sumabog ako sa kilig!" he  exclaimed which made me laugh even louder, I try to hold my laugh since we're in public but not with his cute expressions. 

"Tama na, kinikilig ako masyado, nakakahiya, namumula na ako!" he said before cupping his face with both of his hands. 

I started nodding, "You are, you are so red right now!" I said while wiping my tears. He removed his hands from his face and also wipe his tears. I continue eating when I saw him squint his eyes while looking at someone who's behind me. So I look at my back to see where he's looking at. 

"Diba kakilala mo 'yon?" My jaw dropped when I saw Sam with the girl who I bumped by the hallway this afternoon, 

I faced Inin and nod, "Oo, pero hayaan mo na, mukhang may ka-date naman siya eh." I said and continue eating, 

"Hello," I bit my lower lip when I felt their presence beside me and Inin greeted them, I look up and saw Sam looking at me. 

"Hi," I shortly greeted, 

"Kain kayo," Alok ni Inin sa kanila, Sam smiled at Inin, "Sige, we're good, enjoy kayong dalawa." he said before pulling the girl with him. 

Inin lean closer, "Masungit ba 'yon?" Inin ask while pointing at Sam, 

I shrugged, "I don't know, we're not close." I replied and Inin nod. We spent hours  there and I would catch Sam looking at our direction, I would glare at him and roll my eyes at him which made him smile. 

"Uuwi na ba tayo?" Inin asked when we finally finished our foods, 

"What time is it?" I asked him, he look at his phone and showed the screen to me, "7:20," he replied and I nod, 

"Sure, uwi na tayo." Is said and he nods, we stood up and I saw Sam and the girl still eating, our eyes even met and I immediately look away. 

"Dito ka pala nakatira," he said as the taxi stopped in front of the condominium building. 

"Yes, gusto mo na pumasok muna para makita yung tinutuluyan ko?" I ask and he immediately shake his head. 

"Hindi na, baka kung ano pa mangyari, sige na, pasok kana, magpahinga kana." he said and a smile crept on my lips before nodding. 

"Okay, bye, see you soon!" I said and waved my hands, he waved back, "Byee, goodnight!" he said and I nod before closing the door. I watch as the taxi drive off before I enter the building and take an elevator to go to our unit. 

A sigh escaped my lips when I enter the unit, I go to the fridge to get myself a glass of cold water. After refreshing myself, I go to the bedroom and get some pajamas before taking a shower. After doing my night routine, I went our the bedroom and begun watching a movie by the living room. Hours passed, around 11PM, the door opened, I didn't turn to look at him as I wait him to walk towards me. 

"Kanina ka pa?" he ask and I hum, "Hindi naman, kani-kanina lang." I replied, eyes still focused on the television. 

"Why did you wait for me?" he ask and my brows furrowed, I turn to face him and look up at him, "I'm not waiting for you." I sternly said before looking back on the television. 

"Okay--"

"Oh and by the way, you still have lipstick on your neck, napapaghalata ka." I said with a slight smirk on my lips. 

"Oh, sorry," he said and I rolled my eyes. I pick up the remote and turn the television off. When I stand up, I saw him wiping his neck with his hand. 

"Just don't bring one of your girls here." I said and walk pass by him, 

"What about you? May plano ka ba na dalhin siya dito?" I stopped on my track and face him, 

"I've been inviting him for few times but he doesn't want to." I replied and he nod, fixing his polo. 

"Okay then, that's clear and a new rule, we shall not bring anyone else here." he said and I nod, 

"What about friends?" I ask and his eyes squinted, 

"Maybe," he short replied and I nod. 

I cleared my throat, "Lalabas ako bukas, I'm going to visit my friends." I said and he nod, "Sure sure, no problem." he replied, I can sense that he's a bit drunk based on how he look and how he talks. 

I turn my back at him again and was about to enter the bedroom when I remember something, I turn around and face him again. 

"Do you have any plans for the holiday??" I asked him, he look at me and slightly tilt his head. 

"I have none, ikaw ba? May balak ka?" he ask and I shake my head, "Wala pa, I'm heading to bed now, goodnight." I said and enter the bedroom. 

The next day, I'm surprised to wake up alone on the bed. My brows furrowed and look around the room to find Sam but he's nowhere to be found inside the bedroom. I got on my feet and exit the bedroom, but still no sign of Sam. I started looking around the unit, the bathroom and the terrace, the last room I opened is the other bedroom and that's when I see Sam on the bed sleeping. I slowly close the door behind me and slowly walk towards the bed. Why did he sleep here? The room is even dirty since no one sleeps here, why did he chose to sleep here? 

I went out the bedroom and proceed to the kitchen to prepare breakfast for us, I cooked some hotdogs and eggs, I toasted some breads and cooked rice. While waiting for the rice to be cooked, I sat on a chair and check my messages. 

to Gwen: 

Gising na kayo? Baka mga 10am ako makakapunta diyan, tinatamad pa akong bumangon. 

Gladly she's already awake this early, it's just 7 in the morning and knowing her, she's a sleepy head that's why I'm surprised to see her already awake. 

from Gwen: 

Sure lang sissy, typical Lory lang 'yan, ganiyan talaga kapag matanda na, signs of aging. 

A chuckle escaped my lips after reading her reply. Gosh this girl, bullying me early in the morning. Minsan na nga lang kami magkikita-kita, inaaway pa ako. 

"You're cooking?" I jolted up as I got startled by Sam's morning voice, 

"Yes, tulog kapa kanina eh." I replied before standing up to check the rice if it's already cooked. 

"You should have wake up me." He said as he pull a chair for himself and lean on the table. 

"Hang over?" I asked while preparing plates for us. He hums while pulling his hair. 

"Sakit 'no? Ayan, inom pa, pakalunod ka sa susunod." I joked before placing the rice on the table and sitting across him. 

"Ano? Coffee?" I asked and he lift his head up, "I can do it by myself." he said and I shake my head, 

"Stay there!" I said and run towards our small coffee bar that he mostly use, I prepared an espresso for him to lessen his hang over, I only added a bit of sugar since he wants his coffee bitter. 

"Here, drink this." I said and place the mug beside his arms. He reach for it and take a sip while I start eating, I watch as he move slowly and eat slowly. 

I finished first even though I tried waiting for him, "Sam, I need to take a shower na, you can just leave the dishes on the table if you can't--"

"No no, I can, maligo kana." he cut me off, I look at him with hesitation before slowly nodding and standing up from my seat. I went to the bed room to take a shower and change into casual clothes. I put on wide leg pants and a cropped tank top before putting on a flannel that matched the color of my tank top. I put my hair into a ponytail and applied a thin layer of make up. After putting the things I need inside my bag, I slip into platform sandals and went out the bedroom where I see Sam leaning on the table. 

"Sam? Are you okay?" I asked while walking towards him but he's not replying so I started shaking his shoulder.

"Are you okay? Sam! Hello?" I ask while shaking his shoulder, when he lift his head up, I was able to sign in relief. 

"I'll get you meds, wait." I said and run towards the bathroom to get the medicine box and get a medicine for headaches. 

"Here, take this." I said as I hand him the medicine, I watch him as he swallowed the medicine. 

"Rest, you need rest and more sleep, just order food if you can't cook lunch. Baka mga 5pm pa ako maka-uwi so take care of yourself. But if something really bad happen, call me." I said with a hint of worry in my voice. He lightly nod his head and I nod before tapping his shoulder, I even wipe his forehead with my palm to remove the sweats before I exit the condo unit. 

I arrived outside the apartment that Gwen, Tobi and Jax rent, there's a dog outside who started barking as soon as the tricycle stopped. 

"Tobi, Jax, Gwen!" I called from outside, I saw Jax peak from the window and waved at me before the door opened revealing Tobi in a tank top that the same as I am wearing and shorts. 

"Hello!! Kakaligo ko lang, bagay ba?" He started turning around to show me his tank top, a chuckle escaped my lips and I nod before entering their apartment. 

"Naliligo pa si Gwen, kain ka muna, nagluto kami ng champorado." Tobi said, pointing at the dining table. 

"Kaka kain ko lang." I replied and they nod, I sat on their couch and watch the TV with Jax. 

The bathroom suddenly opened and Gwen's squeal echoed inside the whole apartment. 

"GAGA!! Akala ko 10am ka pa?!" Gwen shouted while holding the towel that is covering her body. 

I chuckled, "Nagluto pa kasi ako ng pagkain namin ni--" I paused when realization hits, the three stared at me, Jax even lowered down the volume of the TV. 

"Mag-isa ka sa condo mo diba? Need namin ng story time, hintayin mo ako dito!!" Gwen shouted before rushing towards a bedroom while Jax and Tobi are still staring at me. 

"May boyfriend kana?" Jax ask with wide eyes, I slowly nod, "Magkasama kayo sa iisang condo?" Tobi ask, sitting beside me and I shake my head, 

"Edi sino 'yong--"

"Ready na ako sa chika!!" Tumatakbong lumabas si Gwen ng kwarto, naka hoodie at shorts lang ito, hindi pa manlang suklay ang buhok. 

"Chika na!" She said as she sat on the floor in front of me. 

"Let me finish first, okay?" I ask and the three nod like a kid, 

"Well, I'm living with this guy named Samuel Ponce, anak ng may ari ng Pondz sa Tagkawayan, he's my fiance, arranged marriage. And then... I have a boyfriend, someone I met in Tagkawayan, but he doesn't know about Sam  but Sam knows about him. Hindi rin alam nila mommy ang about sa boyfriend ko, we've been together for... more than a year now. Si Ali lang ang nakaka-alam, Ali also know about Sam, but now, you know, si Laura nalang ang hindi. Not so big deal naman, we just kept it private." I explained and the three nod, Gwen suddenly raised her hand. 

"Pwede na magtanong?" she ask and I nod, 

"Go on," I replied, "So... you're cheating?" she ask and my brows furrowed, "What? No! Me and Sam are not into romantic relationship, we just need to live together in order to satisfy both our parents and make them believe there's something going on around us." I said and Gwen tilted her head. 

"But like... don't you think masasaktan 'yong boyfriend mo kapag nalaman niya na may kinakasama ka na iba?" she ask and my lips parted, 

"Well... I'll explain and I know he will understand." I said and Gwen squinted her eyes at me. 

"Pero kung ipapa-arrange marriage kayo ni Sam at ikakasal kayo sa huli, paano iyong boyfriend mo?" Jax ask and that caught me off guard. 

Paano nga ba? When can I tell my parents about Inin? When will I be able to announce my relationship to them? When are they planning for me and Sam to get married? Will I ever be able to get out of this arrange marriage? 

Silence took over us until Tobi speaks, "Pogi ba? Pwede mo naman ibigay sa akin-- ARAY!!"