Keep Me Warm

5:30 in the morning, Anderson smiles as their gig finally comes to an end. He is so excited to see his girlfriend. In today's generation, where teenagers fall in love within a day and fall out of love within a week, Anderson is thankful that he found a girl that knows how to stay. Lana stayed beside him for two years, supporting him in his passion for singing and helping him in his battles. She has given her so much, and the little thing he could do is exert effort for her.

Anderson rode his motorcycle and drove to after helping his bandmates load their equipment to their L300 van. Lana is on an opening shift this week, so they only have an hour to spend together. Anderson is secretly planning to propose, but every time she will have the moment to do it, Lana will be venting about how complicated her situation is with her family. Lana doesn't have much when it comes to her personal things.

She owns a few clothes, primarily for work, some shoes, but other than that, she practically has nothing. Lana always gives everything to her family. And that's why Anderson loves her. He's almost near R. Papa when Anderson suddenly stepped on his motorcycle's break. He saw two people very familiar to him, kissing in front of KFC P. Noval. He almost literally feels his heartbreaking. There at the side of the road, Lana is kissing her best friend passionately.

Anderson wanted to punch both of them in the face. He wanted to make them feel how he feels. But his body had its own mind; he drove off and left. Tears fall from Anderson's eyes on his way home. How do they do that to him? How could she cheat on him just like that? Those are the questions that keep screaming inside his mind. When Anderson arrived home, his mother notices the sadness in his eyes.

"Hey, honey. What's going on? Are you okay?" Stella asked her son.

"Don't mind me, I'm fine." Stella smiled when she heard him.

"Have you forgotten who you're talking to?" Stella smiled when she saw her son sighed heavily. It's evident to her that he's going through something.

"I saw Lana kissing her best friend, Mom. The same best friend she said I had nothing to worry about." Anderson's mother smiled at him. She knew the reason for his sadness is Lana even before he answered.

"I cooked your favorite, cheer up, okay? She broke your heart because God is preparing you for something epic. Besides, it's her loss, okay?" Anderson's mother smiled at him before caressing his face.

"Thanks, Mom." Anderson smiled at his mother. She really is the best, he thought.

"If you get hungry, there's food on the table." Stella kissed her son's forehead and said goodbye. She needs to go to work.

Anderson went to the kitchen and checked the food. After seeing what his mother cooked lunch, Anderson smiled widely. His mother is the only woman who would never hurt him.

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At 9 o'clock in the evening, Anderson and his band are on Cowboy Grill, Quezon Avenue. In all honesty, Anderson is not in the mood to perform. But he can't just turn his on them. He needs to be professional and handles his emotions better. Anderson just needs to keep it together. But being a singer in a band makes it hard, especially when it's time for the request.

Their first set began with a disco and five alternative rock songs. It was okay because he doesn't get affected that much. But when the request started coming in, Anderson can feel his heart beginning to break into pieces all over again. No matter how hard he prays that people won't request sad love songs, they still did.

Anderson just swallowed hard, trying to hold the tears forming in his eyes. This is the first time that Anderson has ever experienced pain like this. Lana was his first girlfriend, and he always that she will be his last. Just thinking about not seeing her again makes him want to cry.

"Andy, you good?" Freya, the guitarist, asked Anderson out of concern. It's now apparent that he is not okay.

"Yeah, i—uhm—you know what? No, I'm not okay. I'm sorry." Anderson can't keep it together any longer. The moment he started running away from the stage, his tears started falling.

Anderson went home to get some clothes and money, then he left. His mother was awake, but she chose to let him do what he needs to do to move on. Stella just wished that this heartbreak will not push her son off the wagon.

Anderson went to Cubao and waited for the first trip to Pagudpud. He decided to stay there for a few days to heal. Being in any place where he and Lana spent a great time together only adds to his feeling. While waiting for the first trip, Anderson stared at their pictures one last time. Silently, he said goodbye to the memory of the woman she loved and still loves so much. Together with his self-promise, he will not go back to Manila as the same man who cries over a cheater like her.

When the first bus finally arrived, Anderson heaved a sigh and smiled. He spent the next eleven hours sitting on a bus, watching as the sun goes up and the birds fly. When they arrived at Pagudpud, Anderson searched for a nice hotel. It was not peak season, so hotel rooms are not fully booked.

"Oh! Sorry—" Anderson was stunned because of the pair of eyes that met his; whoever this person who bumped into him definitely has beautiful eyes.

"Uhm—sorry, I'm Kit. Kit Solomon.