Stay. It’s an oxymoron. The word and the thought contradicts. It’s like a secret curse, a promise to hold yet is destined to be broken. Like the petals of a tiny flower that grows, but sooner falls down.It shouldn’t be always spoken, for it rarely becomes fulfilled. Sa mahihinang yabag ng mumunting paa ay dahan dahan akong naglalakad lagpas sa mga taong nasa simbahan. Ang hawak na mga bugkos ng sampaguita ay iniaangat sa mga dumaraan. Halos lahat sila ay nakasuot ng mamahaling damit. I shivered as I felt the eyes around me, probably wondering why a young girl like me is selling sampaguitas here. Binalewala ko na lamang ang mga tumitingin sa akin. They will never understand. “Hija, ang bango naman ng mga ‘yan. Pabili nga akong tatlo.” Ngumiti ako sa aleng lumapit sa akin. Gamit ang maliliit na mga daliri ay iniabot ko iyon sa kaniya. She smiled at me and ruffled my hair. Tumango ako bago patuloy na naglakad, inililibot ang paningin sa tanawing hindi ko m

What was that?” I held at my chest while looking dramatically at him. The scene earlier kept playing in my mind like a broken disco cd! Kung hindi lang kaagad umalis yung babae pagkatapos ko silang makita, baka hindi ko na alam ang gagawin ko!Nagtaas siya ng kilay sa akin.“That was making out, Elisha. If you haven’t seen one.” He even had the guts to wash his hands while looking directly in my eyes. His eyes lingered on me as he let the water flow in his hands. Umakyat ang tingin niya sa mop na hawak ko. He’s probably weirded why I’m throwing frustrations at him while holding this.Umirap ako. He should not be surprised. He had always known me to do things that pay off money. Halos lahat ay pinapasukan ko. I have no choice. Besides, I should be the one surprised here. Seeing him making out with some girl here is such a scene. Baka nga kung iba pa ‘yong nakakita ay mahimatay sila. That’s too exaggerated, though.