"Mukhang hindi ka masaya na 3rd year kana? Tapos 4th year ang kasunod! Ano kaba!? Dapat masaya ka sa mga achievements mo sa buhay!!" I exclaimed, slightly hitting Gwen on her shoulder before taking my shot. 

"Anong masaya doon!? Med school naman nag kasunod!" she exclaimed before burying her face on the pillow, it's Saturday night now and as usual, we have a setting here in their apartment. 

"Buti nalang matatapos na kami ni Jax, kaunting kembot nalang! HAHAHAHAH!" Tobi joked, him and Jax burst out laughing. 

"Si Lory din diba? Four years lang naman ang accounting diba?" Jax asked and I nod while pouring a shot for Gwen. 

"Ang dadaya niyo! Nakakainis!" Gwen scoffed before taking her shot, 

"Si Ali daw ba? Kamusta?" Tobi asked while munching on our foods, 

"She's taking classes even summer, she said she might just study for around 7 years. She also said she only have few months on college then she'll proceed on Med school." I replied and Tobi nod, 

"Masyadong masipag sa buhay si Alejandra, baka gusto na rin umuwi." Gwen said, still a frown on her face. 

I chuckled, "Ang bitter mo! Ano ba talaga nangyari sa 'yo? Mabilis lang 'tong 1st sem, bukas-bukas magbabakasyon kana ulit." I said trying to cheer her up. Medicine is indeed a hard thing to study. 

"Ay, alam ko na kung bakit!!" Tobi exclaimed, pulling his feet towards him and sitting down on his calves on the couch. 

"Nakita niya 'yong ex niya kanina!!!" he exclaimed and my jaw dropped before Gwen stand up and started pulling Tobi's hair. 

"Walanghiya ka! Ipina-alala mo pa!! Kaya nga ako nag-aya ng inom eh para makalimot!! Hindi ka ba naawa sa akin!!?" Gwen shouted while playfully pulling Tobi's hair while Tobi and Jax burst out laughing. 

"Sorry na sissy! Akala ko naman naka-move on kana eh!" Tobi replied, Gwen stopped pulling his hair and glared at him. 

"Ekup mo!" Gwen said before sitting down on the floor, I slowly look at Gwen who's beside me. 

"May ex ka pala?" I asked, confused, "You had a boyfriend?!" I exclaimed when it hit me more. 

"Eh, eh naman!! Tobi kasi!!" Gwen whined, "Oo na, nagkaroon, pero nag break nga eh!!" Gwen almost started crying, 

I look at Tobi and Jax, confused expression printed on my face, I pointed at Gwen who's now crying, Tobi and Jax shrugged. 

"I didn't know, I'm sorry for that." I said and Gwen lift her head up. 

"Ano nga pangalan ng jowa mo?" Gwen asedk and I was stunned for a second, "Well... Inin, Rustin Landin." I replied and she nods, 

"Kulot na maitim? Well medyo maitim?" she said and I felt offended, 

"Grabe ka sa maitim!!" I hit her arm and she chuckled before removing the strands of hair on her forehead, "Sorry, pero iyon siya diba?" she ask and I squinted my eyes, 

I nod, "Yes, why?" I asked and she shake her head, "Wala naman, nagtatanong lang." she said before taking a spoonful of sisig. 

When I got back to mine and Sam's unit, it was dark inside and empty. I didn't bother worrying about him cause he might be in their house, his own condo, or with the girl he's dating. 

The next day I woke up with my phone ringing, I look at the caller's ID and saw that it's dad which made me sat up on bed and answer it. 

"Hey dad, good morning." I greeted while rubbing my eyes, 

[Hey, good morning, are you busy today?] he ask and I shake my head, 

"No dad, I'm not busy, why?" I asked and dad hummed, 

[I sent you an address, I'll see you there by 11am, is that okay?] he asked and I nod, 

"Yes dad, that would be fine." I replied, 

[Sure sure, I'll end the call now. Bye.] 

"Bye dad!" I replied before he ended the call, I put my phone down and look at the wall, confused. 

"Is Sam here already?" I said before jumping out of the bed and going out the bedroom, I checked the spare room but no one's there. None of our things were moved so I'm guessing he's still not here or have been here since last night. 

I just cooked my breakfast while thinking of why would dad wants to meet me. Did he saw my grades? But I am doing great in the university! I've never been this better in school! I'm at the best version of myself so far. 

While eating my breakfast until taking shower and getting ready to meet dad, I'm still nervous and overthinking about what could  be the reason why he wants to meet me. I left the house around 10:15am, when I arrived at the building it's almost quarter to 11 and I saw dad by the lobby of the condominium building. What are we doing here? 

"Hey dad," I gave him a kiss on the cheeks, 

"Hey, how are you? Are you okay?" he asked and my brows furrowed, "Yes dad, I'm fine, why?" I asked and he smiled, 

"I'll tell you later, but I have a surprise for you." he said and I squinted my eyes. A staff in the building guided us to the elevator and soon brought us in a unit. 

"I bought you a condo unit, just don't tell your mom." he said when we entered the unit, my jaw dropped and faced him. 

"Why? I mean... why would you buy me a unit? Me and Sam are doing good in our unit." I said, dad looked at the staff and signaled her to leave us first. 

"You see Lory... as much as I don't want to hurt your feelings and see you sad cause that would make me sad too, but this week I found out Sam... is having another girl in his own unit. Now, I know it hurts and you may not be processing things for now, but I bought you this unit incase you want to end all this living together and arrange marriage." he said and my jaw dropped, not that I'm surprised about Sam dating someone but because he knows about it. 

"Dad--"

"I know Lory, me and your mom were wrong, very wrong about forcing you to live with him but-"

"Dad, calm down, I know about Sam dating someone else." I said and dad looked at me confusedly, 

"And you're letting him cheat on you?" he ask and I slightly tilt my head, how do I explain this? 

"Well dad... you see, me and Sam, there's no any romantic relationship between us. All of these, it's all an act, but us living together, it's okay, he's nice, he knows how to respect me and my privacy, he cooks good too! And I know about him dating and I'm happy for him! Cause the truth dad..." I paused, should I tell him? 

"I have a boyfriend myself- BUT!! Me and my boyfriend got together before me and Sam started living together. Like... you know what I mean dad? I don't want to get married to Sam cause... I want to marry the man I love." I said, dad squinted his eyes and crossed his arms. 

"Who is this guy? Is he someone I know?" he asked and I started fidgeting with my fingers. 

"I know you would scold me for my taste and might tell me I have no standards but... you don't know him but he's a son of a very hardworking and loving father that works as a construction worker. He's also very hardworking, loving and funny!! He's also smart and he's a scholar in PUP!!" I exclaimed, describing all the good qualities of Inin, I don't want dad talking bad about him. 

Dad remain silent and stare at me, "Dad? Are you mad?" I hesitantly asked, 

Soon a smile appeared on dad's face, "Dalaga kana talaga, you have a boyfriend na! And you have such a good taste, Lory! He doesn't have to be rich or wealthy, if he loves you, you love him and he treats you nice, that's already a good thing!" he happily said and my lips parted. 

"I remember you were just a small girl when I saw you, you barely talk but look at you now! All grown up!" he added which made me giggle. 

He clasped his hands together, "But you will still take the unit right? Sayang naman, fully paid na saka nakapamili na rin ako ng gamit at pagkain. I already prepared all of this cause I thought you would cry and need comfort once you found out about Sam. I bought a dozen of tubs of ice creams and lots of sweets for you." Dad asked and I giggled before nodding, 

"Yes dad, I'll take it, it's good to have a place I don't share with anyone." I said and dad nods, 

"Plus you can take him here, you know, Netflix and chill." Dad said before winking at me which made my jaw dropped. 

"Dad no! He don't want us to be in one room, he's shy and nervous." I replied and dad chuckled, 

"Oh come on, you two should be you know... enjoying things, how old are you? You're 22 na, when me and your mom was at your age, we're working on your brother already." he said and my eyes widened, 

"Dad naman eh!! No muna! No no no!!" I exclaimed and dad burst out laughing, 

"I'm just saying, it's something normal for a couple, just don't forget to use protection. Come on, I'm excited to have a grandchild habang malakas pa ako, para naman maturuan ko pa ng sports ang magiging apo ko." Dad said and I almost lost my shits. 

"Dad!! No!! Not now! Matagal pa!" I said and dad chuckled, "Fine, I'll stop, but now, let's have lunch." he said and I nod, I'm glad we're done with that conversation, but at the same time, I feel so relieved that someone in the family knows about me and Inin. And I am very happy that dad is so chill with everything, if it's mom... I would have been packing my things now and ready to go somewhere else. 

Me and dad talked more about my relationship while eating lunch. He even gave me tips on how to handle a guy, he said I should be under my boyfriend and I need to know how to stand up on my own. I know that already! And besides, Inin isn't a type of a guy who's manipulative and a bastard, I still see him as the teenager I met on the rain. He sometimes still acts like a kid which makes me fall for him deeper. 

And after eating, we went shopping of course, dad said I need new clothes, for what? I don't know, he said he's so happy that I can finally decide on my own and need not too depend on what mom says and I am having my own life so I deserve a reward. That's pretty weird reason but it's clothes, shoes and bags so I don't say no to blessings. 

"Are you staying on your new unit or on your shared unit?" Dad asked when we got inside his car, 

"I want to go to his apartment." I said and dad immediately nod. 

"Right, I want to meet him too." Dad said and I shake my head, "No na dad, he's a very nervous guy, matatakutin at pwede rin mahiyahin, I need to inform him if you're gonna meet him. Next time nalang, just drop me off there." I said and dad chuckled before nodding and driving off. 

When we arrived in front of the apartment complex, I gave dad another kiss on the cheeks and get out his car, I bid him a goodbye and even shoo him away before I text Inin I'm outside their apartment. 

"Hi!! Ganda-ganda mo naman!" he said while walking towards me before giving me a hug, 

I chuckled and slightly slap his shoulder, "Pagod nga ako, galing mall kasama si dad." I said when we let go of the hug. 

"Ah, explains why ang dami ng dala mo." he said and I giggled, 

"By the way, I bought you guys cake, for you and your boardmates." I said, handing him the cake, 

"Uy, salamat! Hindi 'to tatagal sa amin, mga gahaman pa man din kumain ang mga 'yon." he said before giggling, 

I slap him on the arm, "Grabe ka!" I said and he chuckled. 

I stared at him for few seconds while he look at the cake, he then look up, his eyes turning into a cute doe shape. 

"May dumi ba ako sa  mukha?" he ask, touching different parts of his face. 

I shake my head and smile, "Wala, halika, give me another hug and I'll go na." I said, he smiled and walk closer for another hug. 

"Buti nalang bagong ligo ako, bango ko diba? Kojic soap gamit ko! Iyong malaking tipak para mas effective pamaputi." he said and I giggled, 

"You don't need whitening soap, super pogi mo na kahit hindi ka maputi." I said and he chuckled before pulling away from the hug. 

"Iyon kasi ang mas affordable at mabango, bango ko 'no?" he ask, making his eyebrows dance which made me chuckle. 

"Yes, ang bango mo at ang pogi mo pa." I said and a wide smile prints on his lips, "Sige na, umuwi kana nga, masyado mo akong pinapakilig! Nawawala angas ko sayo!" he said and I giggled before bidding a goodbye and calling a taxi to get to my own unit to fix the things I bought. 

Days passed, after around 4 days of me living by myself on my new place, I have received a message from Sam. 

From Ponce: 

How have you been? 

A sigh escaped my lips before I roll my eyes and didn't bother replying to him. I didn't get another message from him which I thought was great. Until dismissal time, around 4pm, I'm walking through the hallway, fixing my things in my bag and ready to go home when I smell Sam's perfume right in front of me. I lift my head up and I saw him standing right in front of me. 

I crossed my arms and lift a brow, "What?" I blankly ask, 

He slightly tilts his head, "I know I did something wrong and that is not messaging you and checking on you these passed days. But I hope you listen to my explanation." he said and I nod, 

"Sure, go on." I replied and his eyes widened a bit before nodding. 

"So... you know about me and my girlfriend, well... we kinda... we were together in those days in my condo. You know that feeling Lory, I feel free, I feel like I can do things that I want, I don't have to do such thing that our parents want, I don't feel suffocated at all." he explained, I stared at him for few seconds before slowly nodding. 

"Well... I understand, it's good to know that you're feeling better now. And I also don't mind that you were gone for days. Cause you know what..." I paused, 

He looked at me confusedly, "What?" he asked, 

"Dad knows about your girlfriend, that's why he got me my own unit cause he thought there were something serious between us." I said with a slight chuckle, his lips parted and his hand travelled to his forehead. 

"I'm doomed," he started pacing back and forth. 

I chuckled, "You're not, my dad is a cool dad, I even told him about my boyfriend, so you have don't have to worry about anything." I said giving him a smile, 

He removed his hand from his forehead and sigh, "Right, well... he's okay with your boyfriend?" he asked and I nod, 

"So much, he wants to meet him nga eh." I said and he slowly nods, 

"That's great, ahm... you need a ride home? And are you okay in your unit?" he asked and I smiled and nod, 

"I'm fine, you should go home na, just message me if we need to be together, and also, check the foods sa condo." I said and he nod, flashing a smile. 

"I will, take care." he said, I waved a goodbye at him and walk away. 

"Happy monthsarry!!" I exclaimed after I light up the candle of the cake I bought. 

I look at Inin who's holding the cake and staring at the candle, "Let's blow it na." I said, he look at my direction and nod, on the count of 3, we blew the candle. 

I clapped my hands, "It still feel surreal that our relationship reached this point!!" I happily said, he flash a smile and nod before placing the cake down on the bench. We're now at park, surrounded by beautiful lights and trees, there are even some kids around together with their parents!

I saw Inin staring at the cake, playing with the box of it, "In? Are you okay?" I worriedly asked, I caught his attention and he looked at me before smiling and nodding. 

"I'm fine," he said and I squint my eyes, 

"You're not, what's wrong?" I softly ask, he once again flashed a smile but this time it seems more real but a smile I know there is something wrong. 

He sigh before looking down on his hands, "I'm sorry, dito lang tayo nag ce-celebrate ng monthsarry natin, tapos ikaw pa ang bumili ng cake." he said and my brows furrowed, 

"In..."

"Iyong sinweldo ko kasi noong nakaraan, hinati ko para ipadala kay papa dahil nagkasakit siya, tapos 'yong kalahati ay para naman sa renta at sa school." he added and I bit my lower lip. 

"You don't need to say sorry, In, I'm fine with this. Wala naman masama sa ganito eh! It's sweet nga oh! Look at the trees, sa mga lights, the place is perfect!" I said and he look at me and smiled. 

"'Yong totoo? Hindi kaya, other guys bring their girlfriends somewhere expensive and nice." he said and I chuckled, 

"And other guys do that then proceed on cheating to their girlfriends, Inin naman! Why are you thinking about that ba? Remember in 2nd year? Out of 12 months, 2 times lang tayo nakapag celebrate ng monthsarry dahil super busy natin, let's be thankful on what we have, okay? And like what I said, I am happy! Why do we need an elegant and expensive celebration ba? We don't need that!" I replied and I saw how he smiled and his dimples popped up. 

"Masyado mo 'kong chine-cheer up." he said and I giggled, "Well there's no reason to be down kasi! Come on! Eat na tayo ng cake!" I said before handing him the fork and we started eating the cake. 

We asked each other how is school going. Inin said that he's thriving so hard in class cause he wants that 'Engr.' before his name and he also want to work as one. We enjoyed the lights, we watched the kids play and hear their laughter. 

"In," I called him and he look at me with his doe eyes. 

"Yes?" he asked, 

I gave him a smile, "My dad got me a condo unit, iyong tinitirhan ko dati hindi talaga sa 'kin, so... I'm inviting you there." As soon as I said that, he started coughing, my eyes widened and hand him the bottle of water. 

"In, are you okay? Hey, what happened?" I worriedly ask, he chugged his water and took a deep breath after. 

"You know that... I don't think we should stay in one room, right?" he ask, taking deep breaths, 

My brows furrowed, "Why?" I asked, 

"Well... Lory, it's for our own safety na rin, who knows kung anong mangyayari? Diba?" he replied and I tilt my head. 

"Aw, okay, sabi kasi ni dad pwede ka naman pumunta sa condo ko, he wants to meet you nga eh." I said before taking a bite of the cake. 

"Ano?! Alam ng dad mo ang tungkol sa atin?!" he exclaimed and I nod, 

"Oo nga pala, di ko pa nasasabi, last month lang, sinabi ko." I said and his eyes widened. 

"Eh ano sabi?" he ask, I shrug, "He said nga that it's okay lang naman if I invite my boyfriend in my condo, just use protection lang daw." I teased and his eyes widened once again. 

"Loryyyy!!" he whined like a kid which made me giggle, "Sinabi niya talaga 'yon?!" he ask and I nod, 

"Oo, wala lang akong proof pero oo." I replied and he rubbed his eyes and forehead. 

"Nagulat ako sa lahat ng sinabi mo, iyon pa nga lang na alam ng dad mo na may boyfriend ka na gaya ko ay nakakatakot na, gusto pa niya akong makilala?! Tapos may iba pa na sinabi! Hindi ko na kinakaya!" he exclaimed which made me burst out laughing. 

"Nakakapanginig ng laman!" he said while hugging himself which made me laugh harder, chasing my breath. 

"Pero I bet hindi alam ng mom mo? Balita ko masungit daw mom mo." he said, I wiped my tear and look at him confusedly, 

"How'd you know about my mom?" I confusedly ask, 

he giggled, "Iyong ex ng kaibigan ko, kilala mom mo." he replied and my jaw dropped, 

"Ano name?" I asked, 

He looked up, thinking, "Limot ko eh, basta may A sa pangalan." he replied and my jaw dropped, 

"Sure ka? Hindi nabanggit kung sino? Ano daw hitsura? Mahaba ang buhok? Maiksi?" I asked and he slowly shake his head. 

"Iyon lang sinabi ng kaibigan ko na masungit eh, hindi talaga pala kwento 'yon, hayaan mo sa susunod gagalingan ko ang pagiging chismoso." he joked and I chuckled, but deep inside my head I'm thinking, A? Could it be her?