Chapter II

I almost dropped my phone when I received a notification as I was scrolling my f******k account. It was a friend request from Dwight Dela Torre. I was wondering how he found out my name. I pressed my lips together when I clicked his profile. He was wearing a uniform with a wide smile drawn on his face. He's so full of himself. And, I hate guys like him.

Napakunot ang noo nang makita ang number ng kanyang followers. Is he famous? Whatever it is, I don't care.

I was about to place it on my table when his name suddenly popped out on the screen. Sunod sunod ang mensaheng natanggap ko mulasa kanya.

Dwight Dela Torre: Hey :)

Dwight Dela Torre: Girlfriend

Dwight Dela Torre: notice me, pls.

Dwight Dela Torre: hey, my pretty girlfriend

Dwight Dela Torre: snobber ka, girlfriend. tampo na ko huhu

Dwight Dela Torre: Jezrel Tanya :(

I blew an air of frustration. He's pestering my inner peace! Hindi ko na lang ni-replayan. I don't want to involve myself with him anymore. Tama na 'yung nangyari kahapon. I logged out my f******k right after.

Today's Saturday and I decided to go to mall to buy more books. I wore a plain white shirt and jeans paired with my sneakers. Nakalugay ang mahaba kong buhok. Nag-apply ako ng kauntingliptint.

There were a lot of books that garnered my attention when I got on the book store. Nakasanayan ko ng dito rin tumambay lalo na samga libreng oras ko. I was standing on the corner browsing for books when I heard somebody call my name. Kaagad konglumingon.

"Fuck, it's you," he said in awe. I raised my eyebrow.

"Sinusundan mo ba ako?"

"No, of course not. Maybe, it was destiny." He devilishly smirked at me. I snorted with his reply. "You didn't reply."

"Am I obliged to?" I retorted.

"Yes, girlfriend," sagot niya gamit ang nakakalokong ngiti.

"Stop. Stop calling me that!" I spat but he chuckled.

"Alright, girlfriend." He grinned.

"Hindi ka ba makaintindi?" I scowled.

"Okay, I'll stop if you'd give me your number."

Umiling ako. "No and please forget about what happened." Umirapko at tinalikuran siya.

"Hey." I heard him called me but I ignored.

"Dwight!"

"Asher."

Hindi na ako nag-abala pang lumingon pa. It looked like he was reunited with his friend.

Nakabusangot ang mukha ko dahil hindi ko na magawang bumalikpa roon para bilhin 'yung nagustuhan kong libro.

Dumiretso ako sa malapit na fast food. I was alone eating on the table, munching my favorite chicken joy when I noticed somebody sat across me. My forehead creased when I recognized who he was. This guy! I heaved a deep sigh before I rose to my feet. Mabilisniyang nahawakan ang braso ko kaya napatigil ako. "Don't go away..." He pleaded.

"Dwight!" Inis kong sigaw.

I had no choice but to stay seated from where I was. He smiled. I sipped a drink of my coke without glancing at him. Kahit naramdam ko ang pagka-ilang dahil sa presensya niya.

"Pare!" Narinig kong sigaw niya. I tilted my head and saw a dark toned guy approached him. His built seemed like he spent most of his time in gym with his broad shoulders. He looked intimidating with his eyes. I suddenly felt uneasy. I didn't like the way he was looking at me. It was as if he was scrutinizing me.

"Jezrel, si Asher pala." He introduced. As if, I'm interested. Ngumitina lang ako dahil nakakahiya naman kung hindi ko siya babatiin.

"Who's this? Your girl?" Asher asked when he glanced at me and returned his gaze to Dwight.

"Hindi pa pero malapit na." He replied. The nerve of this guy!

"Anong malapit na?" I scowled harder Humalakhak naman siya.

"Bars ka pala, pare." Natatawang sambit ni Asher.

"Anong bars? Ikaw nga broken hearted!" Dwight countered. Nagbago naman ang timpla ng mukha ni Asher. I was staring at them, suppressing myself from smiling,

I stood up when I finished my meal. "Aalis ka na? Wait. Hatid nakita." Narinig kong sambit ni Dwight. Like what I usually do, I tore him my bored look.

"No."

"But-"

Hindi ko siya pinansin at tuluyan ng lumabas. So much for this day. When I reached home, my feet stopped. Nakarinig ako ng malakasna pagkabasag. Umalingawngaw ang sigaw ni Mom.

"Aalis ka? Sige, puntahan mo ang babae mo!"

Huminga ako nang malalim. Ano pa bang bago? Parati namangganito.

Lumapit ako kay Mommy na nasa sahig hawak ang basong may alak. Inangat niya ang ulo niya para makita ako. The most painful thing to see is when your mom cry. My heart clenched painfully.

"Mom." Mahinang tawag ko.

"Oh, Jez anak." She laughed. "Yung daddy mo nandoon sa babaeniya! Ang saya no!" Marahan kong kinuha ang baso sa kamay niya.

"Ang ganda mo anak, 'wag kang magpapaloko sa lalaki. Pare-parehosila. Sasaktan ka lang nila. Sisirain lang nila ang buhay mo,” she said.

Hinatid ko si Mommy sa kwarto niya. Niligpit ko ang mga basag sasala. Nakakapagod at nakakasawa na ang paulit-ulit nilang away. I wished them to separate. Doon din naman pupunta iyon. How my Mommy endured the pain was so devastating for me.

Sumakay ako sa bus papasok sa University. Nasa dulong bus akohabang hawak ang mga reviewers ko. Huminto ang bus saunibersidad na pinapasukan ko. I slid my things on my bag and went out.

Hindi pa ako nakakapasok sa loob nang may humintong lalaki saharapan ko at inabutan ako ng letter. Nilagpasan ko lang siya. I don't want to stir issues by accepting to any of my admirers's gifts, letters even flowers.

"Ready ka na?" Kiana asked as soon as we stopped in the dean's office. I was thankful to her for accompanying me here. I nodded and gave her a sweet smile.

Kumatok ako sa pinto. I was welcomed with a man in his 40's. "Yes?"

"Sir, Good morning po." magalang kong bati. Niluwagan niya ang pinto at pinapasok ako. Si Kiana naman ay nasa labas. He made me sit on the chair near his table.

"What's the matter, Ms. Ynares?"

"Sir..." I hesitated at first. I bit my lower lip. "Ahh… Uhmm… Magfa-file po ako sa ng complaint ng harassment," sabi ko.

"Of what? Harrasment? Who?"

"Sir, uhh... There were some students from my department who harassed me."

"Something? Like what? Be specific, Ms. Ynares."

I took a deep breath. "Sir, I.." I stopped when Sir Ramos went near to me. I squirmed on my seat and held my breath.

"Like what?" He shamelessly touched my face.

"Sir!"

"No harm done, Ms. Ynares." He smiled wickedly. I felt uncomfortable and stood up.

"Dito ka lang. Where are you going?"

"Sir, I need to go." I was about to go when he held my arm.

"Dito ka lang, sabi ko." His eyes darkened. Naramdaman ko ang pait sa lalamunan ko. All I wanted was to get out from this place.

People like him disgusts me to the core. I clenched my fist.

I hope we all strive to build a community free from gender violence.

A society that doesn't dictate us. Others insist that it's our fault for the piece of cloth we are wearing.

May I remind everyone that no ever woman wants to be rape. Stop putting the blame on woman's clothes for men's lack of respect and decency.

I always wear decent clothes but again I always get catcalled on the street. I always hear disgusting words but then I chose to ignore. Those lustful whistles and calls were too much to bear. I chose to shut my mouth because I chose safety. It's sickening but I had to pretend deaf.

"Sir Ramos. File po mula sa Engineering." We heard a voice coming down. Mabilis akong binitawan ni Sir Ramos. Nanlaki ang mata ko nang makita si Dwight. Naningkit ang mata nito nang magtama ang paningin namin.

"Stay here, Ms. Ynares. I'll just finish this," sabi ni Sir Ramos.

"Sir, that's urgent and Ms. Ynares has something to do with me. Right?" Bumaling siya sa akin. Natagpuan ko ang sarili kongtumango. Hindi ko na namalayan na nahatak na ako ni Dwight sasobrang pagkabigla ko.

"Fuck, why are you there alone?" Binitawan niya ang kamay ko nang makarating kami sa labas. His piercing eyes were matched with his angry voice. I frowned.

"You didn't know, Mr. Ramos' reputation? Napaka-manyak ng matandang 'yon!" sigaw niya pa.

"I didn't know." Mahina kong saad.

"Jezrel." His voice was laced in authority. He made me look at him. For some reason, there's something in him that pulls me to his presence.

"I now understand why there are some guys even in our department who are crazy about you. Please, protect yourself,” aniya. Parang may tumutusok sa puso ko sa paraan ng pagkasabi niya.

"Stop." I glared at him. "I can protect myself. I don't need anyone's saving. Isa pa, kilala ko kayong mga lalaki. Pare-pareho kayo. All you want is to get into girl's pants. You cannot fool me by being nice."

His jaw clenched. "I am not like them. Do not generalize men." He contradicted.

"Do you think I'd believe you?"

He looked anxious. "Make me." He challenged. Hindi akonakalagaw sa kinatatayuan ko nang lumapit siya sa akin.

"W-What are doing?" I managed to ask.

He smirked. "We've met for a few times, already. Once is by co-incidence. Twice is destiny. What do you think?"

Sinamaan ko siya ng tingin. "Stay away from me!"

"You looked nervous." He whispered. Tumayo siya ng tuwid. "Please reply to my messages. Mumultuhin kita kung hindi."

I don't know if I would smile or not by his silliness but I found myself smiling. Napansin niya naman ito.

"Oh, you smiled." He commented.

"I did not."

"No, you did. You looked prettier when you smile." My cheeks flushed. What was he doing to me?

The next day came and I finally found the guts to accept his friend request. It was just me being thankful for what he did yesterday. Nagalit pa si Kiana nang ikinuwento ko sa kanya ang nangyari. Sana raw sinamahan niya ako sa loob.

I sometimes blame my physical features. It's both a blessing and curse.

Jezrel Tanya Ynares: :)

He has seen the message. I bit my nail, waiting for his reply. Nawala ang ngiti ko ng hindi pa siya nagre-reply. Maybe, he lost interest in me. Boys are the same. Once you give them what they want, they would dump you in the end. I should've followed my mother.

The frantic beat of my heart never left me when he finally replied. I should stop this. I should stop entertaining him. He's the first guy I gave attention to. My phone beeped and his name popped out.

Dwight Dela Torre: Shit! Bayaran mo ako.

Ngumuso ako. What was he talking about? I pressed my lips together. Hindi ko alam pero nagtipa ako ng reply.

Jezrel Tanya Ynares: Why?

Dwight Dela Torre: Damn! I dropped my phone and the screen cracked.

Natawa ako.

Magre-reply sana ako nang nasundan ang message niya.

Dwight Dela Torre: Seryoso? Nag-reply ka. Gumana rin ang charms ko.

I felt giddy chatting with him.

Dwight Dela Torre: Thank you, Jezrel. I really mean it.

Napangiti ako.

Half of my day was spent with exchanging conversations with him. He was fun to talk to. May mga pagkakataong sweet din siya.

Nasa kalagitnaan ako ng ginagawa kong homework nang tumunogang phone ko. Kinuha ko iyon sa gilid ng table ko. I smiled as soon as I saw his name.

Dwight Dela Torre: Gising ka pa?

It didn't take time for me to reply to his message.

Jezrel Tanya Ynares: Yup :)

Dwight Dela Torre: Is it okay to call you?

Hindi niya ako binigyan ng paraan para mag-reply dahil tumunogkaagad ang phone ko.Bumilis ang tibok ng puso ko. It took me time to finally answer him.

"Hello." Bungad niya.

"Wow." He sounded out of breath.

"Bakit?"

"Wala... I mean... shit. You make my heart crazy." Rinig kong sabiniya.

Sandali akong hindi nakapagsalita.

"I'm sorry. It sounded like a confession but really I like you."

I moistened my lips.

"Nandyan ka pa?"

"Yes," sagot ko.

"Uhm... Jez.. Okay lang ba na… ano… " He stumbled with his words. "Na..ihatid kita bukas?" he was being shy and nervous. I could imagine his face.

"O-Okay." I bit my lip.

"Talaga?"

"Yes," sagot kong muli.

He was true to his words. I was startled when I saw him outside of the house. How did he know where I live? I've never bothered asking him. He had his ways.

Hindi pa ako nakakalabas ng gate nang lumapit sa akin si Mommy. "Who's that? Are you entertaining guys? I told you to never ever trust man. Sinusuway mo na ako?"

"Mommy," sabi ko.

"Ano? Gusto mo ring maging kagaya ko?"

Hindi agad ako nakasagot kay Mommy. Natanaw ko si Dwight salabas na nakangiti sa akin.

"Mmy, Mali-late na po ako. Bye po.” Iyon na lang ang tangi kongnasabi.

Nang nakalabas ako ay binigyan niya ako uli ng matamis na ngiti. "Let's go, Jez."

Sinundan ko siya sa paglalakad. Huminto naman siya at binalinganako ng tingin. "I didn't bring my car with me. I figured out that it's good to ride bus with you," aniya.

"How did you know I ride a bus?"

Sandali siyang natahimik. "Are you following me?"

"Yes. I mean... Yes, I did. You piqued my curiosity from the moment we met. It's not stalking, more like admiring." He grinned.

I gave him my deathly stare. "Whatever your reason is, you followed me without my consent."

"Okay, guilty as charged." He conceded and raised his both hands, surrendering.

Nasa dulo kami ng bus. Nasa tabi ko siya habang ako naman ay nakatuon ang atensyon sa labas ng bintana.

"It's actually nice to ride a bus," he said. Lumingon ako sa kanya. His side view was beautiful. He has a fair complexion, in congruent with his features.

"Tinititigan mo ako. Crush mo na ako?" nangungutya niyang saad. Mabilis akong umiwas ng tingin at binalik sa labas ng bintana. Kinuha niya ang isang earphone ko at kinabit sa kanyang tainga.

I smiled. I've never felt this way... so full and contented.