[I bet he's nervous.] Ali said from the other line with a slight chuckle, it made me giggle and I nod before glancing at Inin's direction who's in front of the mirror and still fixing  himself. 

"Sobra, kanina pa niya inaayos ang sarili niya, walang tigil." I ended my statement with a giggle. 

[What is he wearing anyways? I can't see the picture you sent me, I'm at the hospital right now, my shift ends in 2 hours pa.] she asked and I even heard few noises from her line. 

"Well he's wearing a white polo shirt, Polo Sports ha! Then grey trousers and black Chukka shoes, can you visualize it na?" I asked before eating a piece of grapes that Inin gave me awhile ago. 

[Mhmm, I can, old money I see.] she said and my brows furrowed, 

"What do you mean old money? Alin?" I confusedly ask before once again glancing at Inin who's now fixing his polo. 

[His fashion sense? Isn't that an old money vibe?] she ask and that's when I finally get what she means and I slowly nod. 

"Well yes, you're right on that one." I said, suddenly the door bell rang, I saw how Inin jolted up and got startled which made me giggle. 

"Dad's here, gotta go, bye!!" I bid goodbye to Ali and end the call after she said the same thing. 

"Andito na si dad." I said before standing up from the edge of the bed and walking towards Inin who's back on his hair. 

I sigh and held his hands to stop himself from touching his hair, "You look good, stop worrying." I said and he pouted, 

"Paanong hindi ako mag wo-worry, eh tatay mo 'yon." he said and I giggled before kissing him quickly on the cheeks. 

"Tara na, naghihintay si dad sa pinto." I said before pulling him out of the bedroom and dragging him to the door. 

When the door opened, a big basket full of groceries is what we both see, "Pakitulungan nga muna ako dito." Dad who's behind the big basket said, Inin immediately reach for the basket and brought it to the kitchen. 

"Dad!! I miss you!!" I said before throwing myself to dad and hugging him tight. 

"We just saw each other last month, miss mo na agad ako?" he asked with a chuckle, I pull away from the hug and pouted. 

Dad chuckled before looking at my back, "Kabadong-kabado 'yong boyfriend mo, pinagpapawisan na sa loob." he said, I giggled and slightly hit dad on his arm before he enter the unit and I close the door behind him. 

"Sadillo! Kamusta?" Maski ako ay napa-igtad nang biglang sumigaw si papa na animo'y nanakot pa talaga. 

I saw how Inin tensed up, "A-Ayos lang naman po ako sir, upo po kayo." I snorted when Inin's voice cracked. He even pull a chair for dad. 

"Niluto niyo 'to?" Dad asked while looking at the foods served on the table. 

"Ako po ang nagluto ng iba at umorder na rin po si Lory." Inin replied and dad slowly nod. A smile prints on my lips as I can sense that he is less nervous than awhile ago. He's even answering dad's questions! I'm so proud! 

"Upo na Lory, why are you standing there? May hinihintay pa ba tayo?" Dad asked, I shook my head and walk towards Inin's side and we both sat across dad. 

"Kumain na ba kayong dalawa?" Dad asked and I nod, 

"Yes dad, Inin bought pandesal kanina." I replied and when I look at Inin's direction, he is side eyeing me. 

"Pandesal lang? Iyon lang nag kaya niyang ipakain sa 'yo?" Dad asked before stabbing Cord on Bleu with his fork. 

"I-Iyon po kasi ang gusto ni Lory kaninang umagang, tinanong ko po siya kung anong gusto niyang kainin." Inin replied and dad slowly nod while chewing his food. 

"Dito ka natulog?" Dad asked again before taking a spoonful of the afritada that Inin cooked. 

"Ay... ano po sir... opo-- pero ano po... natulog lang po talaga kami." Inin defended, he just keeps on stuttering and stuttering which I find cute and funny at the same time. 

Dad slowly nods before lifting his head up and wipe the side of his lips with the napkin, "Tatapatin na kita hijo." Dad said, my brows furrowed while I felt Inin's finger slightly tap the side of my leg under the table. 

Dad look at us both, "Masarap 'yong afritada mo, malambot din 'yong karne, kaso 'yong patatas matigas pa pero mukhang pinrito mo 'no?" Dad said and my lips parted, 

Inin smiled, "Ah opo, akala ko po kasi ay malambot na noong hinango ko, pero luto naman po 'yan dahil pinrito ko po." Inin replied and dad chuckled before nodding. 

"Itong Chapsuey? Ikaw din ang nagluto?" Dad asked and Inin nods, 

"Paborito po kasi ni Lory ang Chapsuey ko, baka sakaling magustuhan niyo rin po." Inin replied and Dad looked at him confusedly, 

"Kumakain na si Lory ng gulay?" he asked and I suddenly felt embarrassed, 

Inin nods, "Opo, paborito po niya 'yang Chapsuey, lumpiang gulay din po hindi niya inaayawan, 'yong repolyo po sa nilaga paborito rin niya." Inin happily replied as if he's a kid talking about his favorite toys. 

Dad chuckles, "Ayos ka ah, napapakain mo si Lory ng gulay. Alam mo ba noong bata 'yan, kung nakakamatay lang ang tingin, baka nasusunog-sunog na ang mga gulay sa sama ng tingin ni Lory." Dad said and I face palmed as both of them laughed. 

I wasn't expecting them to casually talk together, dad even told Inin he can call him tito and Inin was able to adjust immediately. The two just kept on making jokes together. When Inin mentioned about his studies, dad started talking about himself as well. Dad graduated Civil Engineering but ended up starting his own businesses. He gave Inin a lot of advices, he even said that if Inin needed any help, he can ask dad. 

I know dad would be cool about Inin. Alam ko naman na wala dapat ipag-alala si Inin. 

"Ano ba ang balak niyo ni Lory?" Dad asked when he place his glass of water down on the table. After an hour or more, we all finished eating. 

"Ahmm... sa ngayon po ay parehas muna namin tatapusin ang pag-aaral namin." Inin replied and I nod, agreeing on what he said. 

Dad slowly nod, "Ahh... pagkagraduate? Kasi si Lory isang taon nalang ang natitira, ikaw ay dalawa pa. Pagkatapos niyong mag-aral dalawa? Kasal na?" Nanlaki ang mata ko habang si Inin naman ay nasamid sa iniinom niyang tubig. 

"Dad naman!" I whined and dad looked at me, "Oh bakit? Wala ba kayong balak magpakasal?" he ask, before I answer dad, I caress Inin's back who's still coughing. 

"Dad... meron siyempre, pero wala pa sa mga plano namin." I replied and Inin finally stopped coughing. 

Dad slowly nod but a mischievous smile is printed on his lips, "Eh ano..." Humagikhik muna ito, "May plano naman kayo na mag-anak diba?" Napatakip si Inin ng labi niya habang ako naman ay nahulog ang panga. 

"Dad!! We're both 23!" I exclaimed and dad chuckled, "Oh? Parehas naman na kayong legal age. At hindi ko naman sinasabi na ngayon agad. Pagkatapos niyo mag-aral. Tinatanong ko lang kung may plano kayong mag-anak." Dad said with a teasing tone, 

"Ahm... kung ako po ang tatanungin niyo tito, meron po, pero I also respect Lory's decision po." Inin replied and dad slowly nods. 

Dad stayed for more minutes before he decided to leave because he have a meeting by 2pm. 

"Ingat kayong dalawa," dad said and I nod, I was closing the door when dad spoke again, "Protection ha!" he said, my eyes widened but when I opened the door dad is already walking away. 

Inin burst out laughing, "Mukha akong tanga sa sobrang kaba ko kanina. Alam mo ba na namamawis na 'yong paa ko?" he said while clutching his stomach while laughing. 

"Ang cool ni tito 'no?" he said before removing his shoes, I nod while walking towards the kitchen to grab a glass of water. 

"Maybe because he had a good youth." I said and Inin nods while leaning by the kitchen island. 

"Alam mo ba," I said and place the glass down on the counter, "Dad was a party guy before, doon nga niya nakita si mom eh, nanay ko kasi party girl din kahit anak na niya ako. Dad is the type of guy that made the best time of his youth, he also gets the jokes of the younger generation, he's not like other dads 'no." I said and Inin in nods before facing his back at me and start cleaning the table. 

"Siguro kung magkakasama sila ni papa, magkakasundo sila 'no?" he ask and I nod, "Sobra, dad just tend to like intimidating lalo na kapag naka-corporal attire, pero he's a very cool guy." I said and Inin hum before he start putting the plates to the sink. 

I offered him a hand but he said he can do it by himself and I should just rest. As much as I don't want to give him all the work as I thought he will wash the dishes with my hand, I realize that he have familiarized the things in the unit and even the dishwasher, so while it's on, we sat by the sofa and watch movies the whole afternoon up to the evening. 

"It's been awhile." I got startled when someone spoke at my side by the counter at the cafeteria. I look at my side and saw Sam at my side but looking at his front. 

"Yes, it's been a while. A month? Or more?" I said before stepping away and walking towards my table, soon after he followed me and sat in front of me. 

"How are you?" he softly asked as he place his tray down. I took a bite of my chicken and nods, "I'm doing great, how about you?" I asked, taking a spoonful of rice after. 

"We're fine," he shortly replied, "I can tell you're not fine. Nag-away kayo?" I asked, he lift his head up and nods, 

"I don't know how to keep up in a relationship. Why does it seems... easy when I'm with you?" he asked and my brows furrowed, 

"What do you mean? Akala ko she's the one na?" I confusedly ask before taking another bite of my food. 

"She was, I thought she was, not until tumagal na, nagbabago na siya." The sadness in his voice is so audible that it also made me feel sad. 

"Well... what's happening ba?" I asked, 

He took a deep breath before looking down on his food, "I wasn't being possessive or anything, I was just asking her if saan siya pupunta, iyon lang, but she shouted at me. I let it past noong una, until 2nd time, 3rd time, 4th time, she even started hitting me with her bag, throwing things at me, magbabasag siya ng gamit tapos sa akin ipapalinis. She once threw a vase at me, I ended up with 4 stitches." he said and my brows furrowed, 

"And you're letting her do that to you?!" I asked, raising my voice. 

He chuckled, "Anong magagawa ko?" he asked and my jaw dropped, "Stop her! You should have stop her! That's physical abuse, Sam! No one should go through that! Break up with her!" I said, his head snap up and chuckled. 

"I can't...-"

"Why?" I immediately asked, crossing my arms, 

He pursed his lips and look away, not knowing what to say next, "Cause... she's... well she made me feel loved." he said and my brows furrowed. 

"Tanga ka." I directly  and he look offended, "No," he replied and I shook my head. 

"Tanga ka. That's a statement. Sinasaktan kana, nagbubulag-bulagan ka pa. Sino ba 'yang babae na 'yan?" I sternly asked and he chuckled. 

"What are you gonna do anyways?" he asked and I raised my left brow. 

"Lory, anong ginagawa natin dito!?" Gwen asked when I drag the three of them at Katipunan. 

"Natatakot kami sa 'yo Lory." Jax said, I stopped walking and face them three. 

"Sam, my fiance, have a girlfriend, no hindi ko susugurin dahil girlfriend siya, susugurin ko dahil sinasaktan niya si Sam." I directly said, Gwen gasped and held my hands. 

"Lead the way." she said and us four went inside the a small cafe. I look at my phone first to look at the photo Sam sent me to make sure it's her. 

"Hi, Victoria right?" I asked as I stand next to her, she glanced at me before eyeing me from head to toe. 

"Yes, sino ka naman?" she asked and my lips parted. 

I smiled, "Well... I'm Avery Louise, friend of Sam, yes, your boyfriend." I said and she squinted her eyes. 

"Friend? Kabit ka lang eh." she said and my jaw dropped. 

"Gago 'to ah..." I held Gwen's arm who was about to step forward. 

I forced a smile again, "Well... hindi ako kabit, I heard hindi kayo legal sa parents niya? Cause you know... ikaw 'yong kabit. Cause I am his fiance." I said and the girl gasped, 

"Pathetic, I bet you're just one of the girls he met at the bar and you fell in love and--"

"Oh no... hindi niya ako ikinakama, I actually we sleep on the same bed every night before you came, we've been engaged for years, you're the pathetic one here now." I said and she stood up from her seat and I felt a hand on my arm that pull me away from her. 

"Before you say anything, I'd like to end this conversation by telling you that Sam told me that you are over, bye!" I said and turn around from her, when I saw the hand on my arm, it was Tobi who's pulling me out of the cafe. 

"Baka sabunutan ka pa ng babaeng 'yon, sayang ang blonde mo na buhok." he said which made me giggle. 

"Done! Sabi ko naman sa 'yo eh! Kayang-kaya ko 'yon!" I exclaimed while pacing back and forth in front of Sam who's laughing at the couch. 

"But you were with your friends, may dala ka rin na back up." he said and I nod, 

"Of course, anong laban ko doon eh hindi naman ako ugaling kalye na nakikipag away, I just confronted her, deserve." I said before reaching for the can of beer in his hand and taking a sip. 

"Well... I need to go, my boyfriend is waiting for me." I said and hand him the can back. 

I was about to exit the unit when he called me, "Louise, thank you." he said, I faced him and smiled. 

"Welcome," I replied,

"Another one, you think your friend Ali is single?" he asked and I scoffed, "I think... yes, but don't ever play with her heart, yari ka sa 'kin!" I threatened before exiting the unit, I even heard his laughter from the hallway. 

"Hey! Kamusta!!" I happily answered Ali's call, I struggled on the papers in my arm but I made sure to squeeze my phone between my ear and shoulders. 

[I'm good, I'm doing great actually.] she replied and I hum before entering the faculty where I submitted the class's projects. Who could have thought I'll be an active student at 4th year?!

"That's great! Ma'am here's the assignments na po." I smiled at our prof as I tap on the folders that I place down on her table and exit the faculty. 

"How's work?" I asked while walking through the hallway, fixing the white polo I'm wearing and even brushing off some strand of hair from my neck. 

She sigh, [Well... stressing,  but I'm getting there, a resident doctor in a year.] she replied and I smiled, 

"That's so great! I'm happy for you!!" I exclaimed before waving back at the freshies that greeted me at the hallway. 

[Ikaw naman? Kamusta? You'll graduate in a week daw!] she exclaimed and I giggled, 

"Cum Laude!" I exclaimed and she squealed at the other line. 

[So happy for you!!! Sana all!] she exclaimed and I scoffed, "Sus, I'm sure you're doing great there!" I exclaimed and she giggled. 

[Well... medyo oo, medyo hindi, mahirap.] she said and I slowly nod, 

"Pero kaya naman diba?" I asked and she hummed, [I need to go na, class stuff.] she said and I slowly nod. 

"Bye!! Take care!" I said and she just hummed as a response. 

I pull the phone away from my ear and squinted my eyes. She didn't answered my question. 

"Ate!!" Theo run towards me, halos matumba ako nang yakapin ako nito dahil mas matangkad ito sa akin ng ilang pulgada. 

"Kuya Sam!" He gave Sam a fist bump as he greets him. 

"Bakit parang ang dumi ng condo niyo?" Mom asked, Sam's parents and my parents are here. They're staying here in Manila until my graduation, me and Sam both know why. 

Me and Sam looked at each other and nervously chuckle, "Nagiging busy lang po ako sa OJT ko and Lory is also busy with her stuffs." Sam replied and mom slowly nod. 

Gladly me and Sam we're able to meet and buy stuffs for the unit  before they came. The last time me and Sam stayed here together was more than 6 months ago! It was a relief that we were able to ask for staff to clean the unit but there are still dust in few places. 

The two families had dinner together and it's something that makes my every flesh quiver in fear. 

"Are we gonna plan the wedding na!? Cause Lory is graduating in 2 days! Is it a wedding after graduation!?" Tita Julieta happily said, my eyes widened while dad cleared his throat. 

"It's too early for that, let Lory have some more time for herself first." Dad said but mom tapped his arm. 

"I'm sure Lory won't mind getting married right after graduation. Her and Sam have been together for 4 years, I'm sure they're comfortable with each other already." Mom said and I pursed my lips before lowering down my head. 

Sam reach for my hand under the table and gave me a slight squeeze. 

Dad sigh, "Pero she still needs time for herself. Let her enjoy her after college life." Dad replied and mom faced him. 

"Come on Thiago, once the two are married, we can proceed on the merging of the businesses! Isn't that a great thing?" Mom exclaimed and I felt the tightening of my throat as tears started building up in my eyes. 

Right... all of these, these are all happening for the business. My mom is just using me to get the things she wanted. 

"Liliana, come on don't be like that. Pinamumukha mo na you're just here for the business." I heard dad softly said, I know he's trying to stop mom from saying all those things cause he know I am hurting inside. 

"Thiago you've gotta be kidding me--"

I stood up, catching all their attention, "I... I just need to use the bathroom."