a/n: a long update for y'all. 'wag masyadong mag-expect.

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— Shiela

5 YEARS LATER.

"Shiela, my bestieee!" sumalubong sa akin si Zianna at niyakap ako. Hindi na tuwid ang lakad nito at iba na ang pananalita.

"Are you drunk?"

"I'm jusht tipshy." she giggled and whispered something, "nandito shi Zeke."

I smiled, "I know."

"And he's sho magwapo!"

After what happened five years ago, nalaman na lang namin na umalis na sa bansa si Zeke para mag-aral abroad. Even si Mason na best friend niya ay hindi rin alam. I don't know but I felt bad to myself.

"Lala!" tawag pansin sa akin ni Mason. "Looks like your friend is already drunk huh?"

Zianna gave him a glare. "I'm jusht tipshy!!!"

Tinignan niya ako. "I thinks she's not. Better get her a cab, baka mapaano pa siya rito. I'll help you, come on."

"Thanks." Kinuha ko ang bag niya sa inuupuan niya kanina at tinulungan si Mason sa pag-aalalay.

Yes, I'm in a party. Mason's birthday for particular. Hindi ko alam kung ilang beses akong kinulit ni Mason at Zianna na pumunta rito. Besides kasi sa ayoko talagang pumunta dahil hindi ako sanay sa atmosphere na ganito at busy ako sa internship ko. Ayokong pumunta dahil nalaman kong nandito siya sa Pilipinas. At malaki ang chance na pupunta siya rito.

But here I am, nakokonsensiya kaya I decided to attend his party.

"Happy birthday, Mason. Here's my gift." bati ko sa kanya nang tuluyan naming mapasok si Zianna sa cab. I handed him a box na naglalaman ng isang watch. I couldn't think of a gift kaya relo na lang ang binili ko.

Tinanggap niya ang regalo. "Thanks and I'm glad you're here." nagsimula na kaming bumalik sa bar na pagmamay-ari niya. Yes, he already owned a bar and that's his business.

"I know you're not fund of this kind of setup. I mean, the party thingy?"

I gave him a slight smile. "I can manage to survive. 'Wag mo na akong alalahanin."

"Nandito siya."

Tumigil ako and I gave him a sincere smile. "Alam ko and I'm fine."

"What are you planning to do?"

"Hide."

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"Excuse me?" tawag ko sa bartender nang makaupo ako.

Tumingin ito sa akin at ngumiti. In fairness, gwapo si Kuya pero nah! Hindi ko type. "Yes ma'am?"

"Nagse-serve ba kayo ng juice dito?"

"Sorry ma'am pero bar po ito. If you want, I suggest cocktail for you."

Nag-alangan pa ako pero sa huli ay um-oo rin ako. Nakakahiya namang i-turn down 'yung suggestion niya.

"Here's your drink, ma'am."

"Thanks."

Huminga muna ako ng malalim bago inumin ito. Napangiwi ako dahil sa konting bitterness na nalasahan because of wine but it tastes good. Hindi siya heavy drink and I liked it.

"Isa pang cocktail, please."

"Right away!"

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"May we call all the attention of everyone?" napatingin ako sa stage.

"Stop the formality. ARE YOU GUYS READY?!" the emcee shouted and the crowd became wilder. Woah?

"The most awaiting part of the party was about to happen!" everyone shouted and cheered, lalo na 'yung mga lalaki.

"Where's our precious bowl? Oh there you are!" lumapit ang isang babaeng may hawak ng bowl and if I'm not mistaken, may laman iyong mga papel na nakarolyo. "And our gentleman for today's night."

Everyone became silent. Ano ba 'tong pakulo nila? Aware ba si Mason na may ganitong mangyayari?

"Zeke Motarde! Woah, congratulations bro!" I stopped. Totoo nga, nandito nga siya. My heart skipped a beat when I saw him stood up kasama ang dalawang lalaking umaalalay sa kanya. He looks so bored.

"The lucky lady is none other than..."

I was about to ask the bartender kung anong nangyayari but I stopped when I heard my freakin' name.

"Shiela Castro!"

"What the hell." I whispered.

Ilang saglit lang ay nakita ko si Mason na palapit sa akin. "Lala, I'm sorry but I have to do this." bigla niya akong binuhat na parang sako.

Pinaghahampas ko siya sa likod. "Ibaba mo ako, Mason!"

"Trust me, this is also for you."

"Mason!!!!" ipinasok niya ako sa isang room at kasabay noon ay ang pagsara ng pinto.

I went to the door and slammed myself on it. "Open this door! I know there's someone there! Open the door!!!" sigaw ko habang kinakatok ang pinto at pinipihit ang doorknob. Bakit ba kasi naka-lock 'to?

What are they planning to do? Really?

"It's no use." nagulat ako nang may taong nagsalita mula sa likuran ko. "hindi nila 'yan bubuksan till 12 midnight."

That voice sounds very familiar at kilalang-kilala ko ang boses na iyon. Years have passed but he still manage to make his voice manly. Si Zeke.

Tila dumagundong ang dibdib ko. Kinakabahan ako pero hindi ko iyon dapat ipakita. Madilim ang lugar at ilaw lamang mula sa labas ang nagsisilbing liwanag kaya naman hindi ko makita kung nasaan siya.

Umupo ako sa sahig at sumandal sa pinto. "Zeke?"

"How are you?"

I breathed out. "I'm fine. How about you?"

"Same." he answered.

Naramdaman kong may umupo sa tabi ko kaya naman napatingin ako rito. I looked for my phone at inilawan siya.

I must say na mas lalo siyang gumwapo. He changed his hair style and bumagay iyon sa kilay, mata, ilong at labi niya.

Tumawa lamang siya sa ginawa ko. "Hindi ka pa rin nagbabago."

Kumunot ang noo ko. "Why?"

"You're still cute."

I glared at him. "Zeke!" umiwas ako ng tingin. "Anyway, babalik ka pa ba sa Australia?"

"I still don't know. Maybe yes, maybe nah."

Saglit ulit kaming natahimik at nagpakiramdaman kung sino ang magsasalita.

Awkward.

"Uhm, kumusta love life mo? For sure, pinagkakaguluhan ka roon. Hehe." pilit kong tinago ang awkwardness sa tono ng salita ko pero gosh! Halatang-halata!

"I have none."

Tinignan ko siya nang hindi makapaniwala. "Weh? 'Di nga? Eh andaming magagandang Australian girls, bakit hindi ka bumingwit?"

"Wala talaga akong naging girlfriend doon." he said.

"Bakit?"

"'Cause I still think of you. Gusto pa rin kita."

That made me stun. I don't know but I felt butterflies in my stomach. My heart skipped fast. I've missed this feeling! I've missed him. So much.

I turned my head to him. Nakatingin din pala siya sa akin. "I'm sorry. I'm sorry for causing you too much pain."

He smiled. "It's fine. At least you found yourself."

"Thank you."

"No biggie." he chuckled.

Ilang sandali kaming natahimik. Magsasalita na sana ako pero naunahan niya ako.

"Shiela."

I looked at him. "Hmm?"

"Can we restart this story?" his eyes became more genuine and sincere. I could feel his emotions and I'm loving it.

Hindi ko na namalayang tumutulo na pala ang mga luha ko. Halo-halong emosyon ang nararamdaman ko ngayon.

I nodded as I gave him a big smile. Gosh, bakit hindi ako makapagsalita?

He smiled, a genuine one. Tumayo siya at humarap sa akin. Habang ako naman ay nakatingala sa kanya. He offered his hand para makatayo ako. Walang alinlangang tinanggap ko iyon. Kasabay ng pagtayo ko ay ang mahigpit naming pagyakap sa isa't isa.

"I've missed you so much." I whispered as my tears continuously fell down. "I'm sorry."

Hinawakan niya ako sa balikat. "Don't you dare apologize to me again. Ginawa mo naman 'yon para sa sarili mo, para sa akin. There's no need to apology, okay?"

I nodded.

He smiled. "Good."

He reached for my forehead and kissed it. And for the first time, I felt safe and loved.

Napangiti ako sa kanyang ginawa. He's the most gentleman and the most genuine man I've ever met and I'm glad that he's here with me.

"I love you, Shiela." pinunasan niya ang mga luha ko. "Ever since I've met you. I know that I needed to protect you because I'm your former brother but the atmosphere changed and I felt this." tinuro niya ang dibdib niya. "I really love you."

Ngumiti ako. I tiptoed and reached for his nape. "Thanks for giving me napkins back then."

Tinapangan ko ang sarili ko and kissed him. I kissed him on his lips! It's just a peck lang naman but I think he deserve it.

Tumingin ako sa kanya and kitang-kita mo sa mukha niya na sobra siyang nagulat. Hindi siya nakagalaw agad at nakatingin lamang sa akin. How cute.

"You deserve my first kiss, Zeke." I hugged him at ilang segundo lang ay niyakap niya akong pabalik.

"I fell inlove to you, once again." he chuckled.

"I love you too, Zeke."

And that's how our story started.

#EPHEMERAL is now signing off.

votes and comments are highly appreciated.

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