"Hoy, bata. Bakit ka nakaupo sa sahig?" Suddenly a girl with my age came to help me stand.

I was too young to feel butterflies in my stomach. I don't know how I feel. When she stared at me with her eyes, I felt like I was melting. I think I have a crush on her... She's my first crush ever.

Sinama ako nila Mommy and Dad sa isang toy store. May ipapabili sana ako pero biglang may kausap naman silang dalawa at hindi ako pinapansin! Hinila-hila ko ang laylayan ng damit ni mommy. "Dwarren, anak, teka lang, ha?" Pakiusap ni Mommy sa akin.

I didn't listen to her. They were busy talking to a guy like friends. They didn't even noticed that I ran away from them. Suddenly a running boy bumped me. Napaupo ako sa sahig at lumapit ang batang babae sa akin.

Naglahad siya ng kamay at tinaggap ko iyon. "Thanks," I said while staring to her.

"Saan ang mga kasama mo? Mukhang mag-isa ka lang," luminga siya sa paligid.

"My parents are busy talki-" Bigla niya akong hinila at tumakbo ako kasama niya.

We went into tha toy car area. "Ang ganda no'n, oh." She said with amusement while pointing on the yellow car. I was just staring at her, "Kanina ka pa nakatameme sa 'kin." She laughed and leaned closer. She squeezed my cheeks, "Alam mo, ang cute mo. Crush na kita," she giggled.

"Misty, andiyan ka lang pala," two guys walking together went into our direction while holding a basket with some toys. Napalingon sila sa akin at umupo. Bumitaw ang batang babae sa pagpisil ng pisngi ko. "Who is he, M?" The taller guy asked.

Lumapit sa kanya ang batang babae, "Crush ko siya, Kuya." She said proudly.

Ginulo naman ng isang mas batang lalaki ang kanyang buhok. "Ang bata mo pa para magka-crush!" The guy whom I think three or two years older than her.

"His parents might look for him, Misty. Tara na," sabi ulit nung matangkad na lalake.

Muking tumakbo ang batang babae sa akin. Hinila ang braso ko, "Halika. Asan ba parents mo?"

"Thank you, Choule and Chandler, at Misty, ha. Sorry sa abala." My dad apologized. Nahanap sila ng dalawang lalake na kasama nung babae. Hinahanap na rin pala ako nila Mommy and Dad.

"No problem. Just next time watch your son, okay? There are lots of bad people. Mahirap na," the older guy said.

Papaalis na sana sila pero muli akong tumakbo at hinarap ang batang babae. "Dwarren!" Suway sa akin ni Mommy.

"What's your name?" I badly want to ask her name.

She smiled to me, "Misty..."

My mommy died because of her illness. Now, I only have my dad... Then she came into my life again.

"So, Dad. You're saying na magpapakasal ako sa 'di ko naman kilala?" I shook my head, "Ayaw ko no'n!" I hissed.

Tinawanan niya lang ako, "Nagkakilala na kayo ng bunsong Tamayo. Remember dati sa toy store?" My brows frowned, "Tanong ka pa nga nang tanong tungkol sa kanya habang pauwi tayo noon." Siya iyon? Ang papakasalan ko? "You must make their only girl fall inlove," Dad said while sipping his coffee.

"So you mean it's just for the company?" I asked.

"Of course!" Dad said proudly. "So our ties with their hotel company will never be cut."

I was too young back then. I think that was just infatuation. Until I saw her again.

"Tinitingin-tingin mo diyan?" pinasadahan ko kasi ng tingin ang suot niya. Parang bata! Minion shirt and pajama!

"Ikaw wala ka man lang bang sasabihin?" matabang na tanong niya sa akin. Halatang naiinis sa nangyayari. Ayaw niya ng ganitong set up... Ayaw niya.

"Maka-react ka wagas." Diretsong sambit ko. Gusto ko siyang naiinis. Ang cute niya magalit. Tinanong ko rin kung kailangan na ba ng singsing, ayun nagalit na naman.

Nagkusa akong ihatid siya papuntang hotel. Gusto ko lang siyang makasama at inisin. "Baka naman magalit jowa mo nyan? Na may iba kang hinahatid sundo kang iba?"

"Wala naman. Ikaw lang," kinindatan ko siya at na-highblood na naman. Napansin kong may tina-type siya sa phone niya. Does she have a lover?

"'Wag ka ngang reklamo nang reklamo," I said before giving her the engagement ring. I don't know why I felt some electricity while holding her hand.

I woke up early just to prepare for our date. Utos iyon ng Kuya niya. Walang proble sa akin. Gusto ko nga, eh... Gusto ko siyang makasama at mas makilala pa. Ang babaeng naging crush ko noon sa toy store, magiging asawa ko. "Inaaya ko lang ang fiancé ko mag-date," ayun na naman siya sa violent reaction niya! Mabuti at natanong ko sa mga kuya niya kung anong paborito niyang music para umayos ang mood niya. Kung anong gusto niya ay gusto ko na rin. Her voice sounds angelic while singing.

I bough her a stufftoy because I know it's her favorite. "Thank you rito, Dwarren," she sincerely said. I smiled. She looks more beautiful when she smiles.

Nakiinom ako sa inumin niya at nagreklamo na naman siya. Ayaw niya 'yun, indirect kiss? Mahahalikan ko rin naman siya sa tamang panahon.

"Tapos na kayong magkwentuhan?" inis na tanong niya. Her mood quickly changed when I talked to Crizel and her friend. Kanina ay okay siya... Why jealous, misis ko?

I was changing my clothes on our bedroom. Nagulat na lang ako na lumabas siyang naka-bathrobe lang. I teased her, "'Di mo naman sinabing mapapaaga pala ang honeymoon natin." Again, the usual reaction... violent reaction.

'Cause after all this time,
I'm still into you.

She asked me to play my electric guitar. I compliment her voice. "Matagal na," she rolled her eyes. Ang sungit talaga ng mapapangasawa ko! Despite her bad temper, I still like her.

"Anong napkin po?" Andito ako ngayon sa convenience store dahil nakalimutan ng magiging misis ko magdala ng napkin.

"Ah, 'yung..." I scratched my nape, "May pakpak daw." Sabi niya 'with wings' daw, eh.

Napatawa iyong cashier, "With wings po," tinakpan pa niya ang mukha na para bang kinikilig. "Para sa girlfriend po ba?"

I shook my head, "Para sa asawa ko." Hindi ako nahihiya dahil para naman ito sa kanya... Gagawin ko lahat para sa kanya.

"Ay, married na pala si Sir," she laughed. May tinuro siya, "Roon po, Sir. Meron po kaming Whisper," she said. Whisper? Bulong? Nagpasalamat din si M sa akin. Mukhang nahihiya pa siya. Wala namang problema, normal lang 'yun sa mga babae. Kahit nga ako pa magsuot sa kanya no'n, eh, walang problema!

One night, I called her to have our dinner. Umupo siya sa tapat ko nang tinignan ko siya ay napansin kong wala siyang suot sa loob ng sando niya. Umiwas ako ng tingin, "W-Wala kang bra," alinlangang sambit ko sa kanya.

Bahagya akong nag-angat ng tingin at kita kong natigilan siya. Bumaling siya sa dibdib niya, "Shet!" Padarag siyang tumayo at tumakbo papuntang kwarto. Padabog din niyang sinara ang pinto.

I laughed softly, "Cute." Her chest size is also cute.

I teased her about why she forgot to wear bra. Tinignan niya lang ako ng masama. Nagpatuloy siya sa pagkain, "Naglinis ako ng banyo kanina. Edi siyempre pinagpawisan ako," inis siyang sumubo. "Nagpalit ako ng damit tapos natulog saglit. Mas komportable ako kapag natutulog nang walang bra." Dire-diretsong sambit niya. Napatingin siya sa gawi ko. She looked away and I noticed that her cheeks turned red. I formed a smile. "A-Alam mo a-ang m-manyakis m-mo!" Kinakabahang asik niya. I chuckled.

I can't help myself to smile. Siya nga itong napapatulala sa abs ko kapag nakikita niya akong topless. Kapag nahuhuli ko siya ay namumula pa ang pisngi niya.

"Wala namang butiki rito 'di ba?" Tanong niya habang nag-vavacuum. Sinungitan niya ako ulit dahil inaasar-asar ko siya. Hindi ko siya pinansin at mukhang na-guilty. Nakasandal lang ako sa pader at pinapanood ang magiging asawa ko na naglilinis. Nakatalikod siya mula sa akin kaya malaya akong nanonood sa akin.

Lumapit ako sa sa kanya at yumuko para bumulong sa tainga niya. "Meron," I whispered. "Nasa ulo mo."

Napabitaw siya sa vacuum at biglang sumampa sa akin. Yumakap siya sa leeg ko habang ang mga binti ay nakapulupot naman sa baywang ko. I suddenly felt warm with her hug. "Tumalon na ba?" She asked nervously. I could smell her... She smells so good.

"Ilegal bang magkagusto sayo, ha?" Tanong ko sa kanya. Alam kong akala lang niya ay biro-biro na naman ang sinasabi ko.

Totoong gusto ko siya... at mas lumalalim ang feelings ko sa kanya. I'm afraid that she might not feel the same thing... but still, I will continue to like and love her.

"N-Nagseselos ako," she soflty said while it's raining. She fainted and her shirt is wet because of the rain so I changed it. I just dimmed the light and removed her clothes.

I saw her hugging a guy, a friend I think? Bumaba ako papuntang parking pero sakto nadatnan ko siya sa 'di kalayuan. I sighed and went inside of my unit again. I kissed her because I was jealous. But, that kiss only lasted for about three seconds. She didn't respond so I thought she didn't liked what I did.

"Pampaantok lang. Gusto mo?" I handed her my shotglass. I was thinking if I should tell her about Dad's plan to make her fall in love. Damn. Masasaktan siya.

I know it was Dad's plan but I have my own feelings too. I want her and I love her. What I did and said to her were all true. I'll going to marry her for real.

I asked permission to my two future brother-in-laws that me and Misty will attend to Ben&Ben's concert. Gladly, they agreed. I also asked them if I can surprise Misty by announcing to all audience that we'll be officially together. I'm so proud of her that I wanted the whole world to know that I am going to marry her.

"Dapat everyday may lesson tayo," she apologized for not knowing how to kiss. How cute! But... She's a fast learner, huh?

"I feel at peace whenever I hug you... Payapa sa yakap ng iyong hiwaga.." Marahang sambit ko. God, I love her so much and I can't wait for our wedding!

Umalis ako paminsan-minsan para maasikaso ang pinapatayo kong magiging bahay namin. I want to show it to her when it's finished... Maybe, before our wedding.

"Kahit anong mangyari... Walang iwanan, ah." Nag-pinky promise kaming dalawa. Of course, I will stay by your side.

I knew that her friend, Bench, liked her. One time, Bench talkes to me. "Matagal ko na siyang gusto pero... Alam kong mahal ka ni M. Sana hindi mo siya saktan. Kita ko ang saya sa mga mata niya. Sana hindi 'yon mawala," he smiled at me.

I nodded, "Of course. I love her so much and I won't hurt her." I assured him.

I got a text from Kaitlyn. She's telling me that she's pregnant and I'm the father. I didn't belived it but I felt pity on her. Nagmamakaawa siya sa akin na gusto niyang lumaki ang bata nang may papa. When Misty knew about it I know it hurts her... It hurts her damn much.

When I heard Emily's cry. It makes my heart jumps. I am a dad now... But what about Misty?

I heard her sobbing every night. I always hugged her from her back but she's always pretending that she didn't cry.

Lagi niyang gustong papuntahin si Emily sa amin at nakikita kong masaya siya para sa akin. Nasasaktan siya pero pinapakita niyang masaya siya.

Halos palagi na kaming nag-aaway. Nung araw na umalis siya para sa birthday ng kaibigan na ganoon ang suot ay tinawagan ko agad ang pinsan kong si Mhavryck. Inutusan ko siya na lapit-lapitan si Misty para tignan kung may iba bang umaaaligid sa kanya... Pero ang totoo ay nagseselos lang ako dahil andoon si Bench. When i received a photo from Mhavryck that Bench and Misty were outside the restroom, I felt very jealous. Nag-away na naman kami dahil nalaman niya.

Hindi na ako nakaabot sa awarding ng contest ng misis ko. I received a text that Emily got sick so I immediately left. Pumunta agad ako sa apartment nila ng Tita niya. May sinat si Emily. Nang medyo umayos na siya ay umuwi na ako.

"Please stay for a while, Dwarren." Pakiusap ni Kaitlyn sa akin.

Umiling ako, "Kailangan kong puntahan si M." Umalis na ako at umuwi sa unit ko. Pagdating ko ay wala pa siya. Baka nag-celebrate silang magkakaibigan... Hindi ako nakapagpaalam sa kanya. Magtatampo 'yun.

Someone knocked on the door so I immediately opened it. I thought it was Misty but... Kaitlyn appeared in front of me.

"What is it, Kaitlyn?" I asked her.

She suddenly walked towards ang and hugged me tight. "I still love you, Dwarren." She said desperately. "I want us back," bahagya ko siyang tinulak at nilagpasan para isara ang pinto.

Muli ko siyang hinarap, "I'm engaged, Kaitlyn. I love Misty. Just go home," papaalisin ko na sana siya pero bigla niya akong hinila at biglabg hinalikan. Tumingkayad pa siya para maabot ang labi ko. Hindi ko agad siya natulak sa bigla.

Naabutan kami ni Misty nang ganoon. I begged for her to stay and I'll explain everything... But she said she was tired.

"Nasasaktan ako!" She pointed herself. "Hindi ko rin kaya ng ganito!" her voice broke. "Oo, selfish ako! Kasi mahal kita..." Mahal mo ako... Pero bakit aayaw ka na agad? Sobrang pagod ka na ba? Talaga bang hindi na kaya? Suko na ba talaga? "Pero napapagod na ako..." Nanghihina na siya roon.

I pinky promised that no matter what happens, I'll stay... we'll stay. Nag-pinky promise kami... But she left. I respected her decision. I know... It's so hard for her with this set-up... Me having a child to someone else. If this will lessen her pain... I'll have to accept it.

Kahit na ganoon iniisip pa rin niya ang kapakanan ni Emily. I promised her that I'll be a good father to my child. Iyon ang gusto niya.

I went home sobbing. I opened the door and Dad saw me. I ran to and hugged him. "D-Dad..." I said while crying.

"What's wrong, anak?" Nag-aalalang tanong niya at niyakap ako pabalik habang hinahagod ang likod. I told him everything. He was shocked about what happened. Nagulat siyang may apo na pala siya... Pero hindi kay Misty.

I also apologized to Misty's brothers. Gusto ko pa sana siyang makita sa huling pagkakataon bago umalis pero ayaw niya raw. "Our baby sister was hurt... Please, Dwarren, just leave." Bakas sa tono ni Kuya Chandler na nasasaktan siya para sa kapatid. Nasaktan ko ang puso ng kapatid nila. Yumuko ako at pinisil-pisil ang daliri. "Is there anything you want to say?" Nasa labas ako ng gate nila at sumadya rito para humingi ng tawad.

"Kuya, ayaw kumain ni M. Nagmumukmok sa kwar-" Naputol ang sasabihin ni Choule nang makalapit sa amin. He scratched his head and turned his gaze to me. "Tara na, Kuya." Then, he left. Chandler closed the gate without saying anything.

I sighed, "I miss you already, misis ko." I whispered to myself. "I'm sorry."

Kailangan nang bumalik nila Kaitlyn at ang Tita niya sa Manila dahil sa mas malaki ang kita ng trabaho roon. Dad didn't have a choice so I went with them. I need to take care of my daughter.

I got her picture in my wallet. Ito 'yung kumain kami sa by the sea restaurant. Pina-develop ko iyon dahil 'yun ang first picture ko sa kanya. I smiled while staring at her as if she's in front of me. I missed her so much.

It's been five months since I'm here in Manila. Emily's growing. Suddenly, Kaitlyn, admitted something important... It was all a lie.

"D-Dwarren, please l-listen first. S-Sorry talaga. Na-gi-guilty n-na k-kasi a-ako, she said nervously.

I massaged the bridge of my nose and sat on the chair. Mabuti nalang at tulog na sa kwarto si Emily. Hindi naman kami magkatabing natutulog ni Kaitlyn. Bumababa ako sa sala at natutulog sa sofa.

"Just tell the damn truth," mahina ngunit naiinis na sambit ko. She's in front of me, crying.

"Nung party na 'yon... Nalasing ka. Inutusan ko si Lim na ihatid ka sa tinitirhan ko pauwi. T-Tinanggal ko 'yung p-pang-itaas mo na damit pati p-pants mo..." She shook her head, "Hindi mo na 'yon n-namalayan dahil l-lasing na lasing ka." She stiffened. I just listened to her. Just... Damn it! "Para magmukhang may nangyari sa atin... Pero u-umalis ka pagkatapos no'n 'di ba? Nothing really happened between us... ginawa ko lang iyon dahil baka may chance pa tayo..."

"Kaitlyn naman!" hindi ko na napigilan magalit. "Kaitlyn, Misty was hurt! Pero hindi naman pala totoo?" Tumayo ako at nilagpasan siya.

She held my arms, "I-I'm s-sorry. I-I still l-love y-you kaya ko 'yon nagawa... Pero n-nagkamali ako. Nakasira a-ako ng relasyon."

Inalis ko ang kamay niya, "Who's the real father?"

Bumaling ako sa kanya, "S-Si J-Jayzen. Iyong ka-fling ko... H-Hindi pala kasi kami gumamit ng contraceptives. Pero 'di ko na siya mahagilap... But still, I am blessed with Emily. S-Sorry t-talaga, Dwarren."

I was trying to find Emily's real father. Nalaman ko nalang na wala na pala ito. He was sick. I never left immediately to provide care and love for the child.

Sometimes, I went to my hometown to visit Dad. I also stalked Misty when I am not busy. She was always with her friends. Nakikibalita rin ako kay Dad, hindi na raw nagtatrabaho si M sa hotel. Pakiramdam ko kasalanan ko.

I decided to start my own business. Bed and breakfast. I bought the lot in front of Choule's b&b when I heard that she was working there. So I can see her everyday.

Muntik pa siyang mabunggo dahil sa akin. Nasaktan ako nang sinabihan ni Misty si Bench ng 'babe.' Sila na pala.

Hindi ako mapakali kaya kinapalan ko na ang mukha ko at kinausap si Raul. Sinabi niyang hindi naman daw sila. Nakahinga ako nang maluwag doon. Nagpapanggap lang ba siya para magselos ako?

She still loves me. I promised that I'll be back. "Aantayin kita, mister ko. I love you." I love you so much, Misty.

I went away para hanapin ang sarili ko. I am so stupid to went far away just to find myself. Si Misty lang ang laman ng utak ko palagi.

I asked permission to Kuya Chandler and Choule if I can propose to her. "Are you sure that you really love M? Do you promise that you'll never hurt her?" Chandler asked strictly. I invited them to eat lunch together.

"Dwarren, paalala lang, ha. Maingay 'yon, makulit, at masungit. Sigurado ka na ba sa kapatid namin? Ayaw na naming masaktan 'yun." I smiled at them. Mahal na mahal nila si M.

"I am. I want to be with her for the rest of my life," I assured them.

After I proposed to her, I never felt these happiness before. "Wow, ang ganda naman nito! Kaninong bahay 'to?" I can finally show to her our house.

"Sa atin," I smiled and saw her shocked expression. Sabay naming nilibot ang bahay. There are some furnitures. There's also a bed for us. Nakahiga at magkayakap kaming pareho sa kamang may plastic pa. She didn't want to removed it yet. Gusto niya itong tanggalin after ng kasal. "Siya ang first love mo," she said. I chuckled and hugged her tightly.

I placed my chin to her head and caressed her hair. "Ikaw naman ang last at panghamangbuhay ko." Nagulat siya nang pinakita ko ang music studio sa pinakadulong kwarto. Akala niya ay bedroom lang iyon pero masayang-masaya siya nang makita ito.

"Wow, Dwarren..." Naluluha siya nang lumingon sa 'kin.

I embraced her. "You love music... 'Di ba, kung anong gusto mo, gusto ko. At kung anong mahal mo, mahal ko rin," I said.

"Bakit mo 'ko mahal?" she asked while we're in the balcony, looking at the night skies.

"Kasi inakit-akit mo ako!" Biro ko at napasimangot siya.

Kumalas siya sa yakap at tiningala ako, "Anong inakit? Ang kapal mo!" She hissed.

I chuckled at pinched her cheek, "Hindi ka kaya nagsusuot ng bra."

Her lips parted, "Kasi wala naman akong dibdib."

I bit my lower lip. "Patingin nga," I teased her.

Napanguso na lang siya at muling tumingala sa mga nagniningning na mga bitwin. "Ang mga bitwin kahit maliit, maliwanag pa rin... Andami pala nating magiging witness nito tuwing gabi... Alam mo na, after ng wedding, siyempre ano..." She chuckled and hid her face using her hands.

She's now walking down the aisle while the violin is playing Ben&Ben's song, Araw-Araw. She looks very pretty wearing her wedding gown. I bit my lower lip while looking at her. She's smiling and at the same time, crying. My heart is beating so fast. We're going to have a new chapter in our life.

She always makes me feel happy. She's my sunshine in my stormy days. Her hugs make me feel at peace. She's the star that shines the brightest.

Hindi ako magsasawang mahalin at alagaan siya sa araw-araw.

-End-