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Sherwin

Nagising ako kinabukasan alas onse na nang tanghali. Lumapit ako kanila Devin na nag-aalmusal sa may dining room.

"Asan sina Bal?" Tanong ko. Mamayang ala-una pa ang alis nila pero hindi ko sila nakita.

"May assembly sila saglit kaya pinatawag sila." Si Stacy ang sumagot.

"Eh, si Amanda?" Hindi ko rin siya nakita kanina sa may higaan namin.

"Nasa CR." Napatango naman ako.

Nahihiyang tumabi ako kay Lia. "Uhm..." Napahawak ako sa batok ko, hindi ko alam kung anong sasabihin ko pagkatapos nang mangyari kagabi.

"You don't have to say anything, Sherwin. We know what happened last night was unintentional." Agatha explained.

"Still. What I did last night was reckless. I was not in my right mind."

"It's okay, Sherwin. We forgive you." Napangiti naman ako sa sinabi ni Lia. Habang tahimik lang sa tabi niya si Roian.

Nagpaalam ako saglit sa kanila para puntahan si Amanda. Nadatnan ko siya sa kama namin nakaupo habang may parang hinahanap sa bag niya.

Tumabi ako sa kanya. "What are you looking for?" She flinched when I touched her shoulder. I suddenly remember what happened last night.

"Uh... nothing." She couldn't even look at my face which is odd.

"Amanda, baby. Look at me, please." I gently hold her head and turned it to face me.

I heaved a sigh. "Hey. I'm sorry, baby. I'm really sorry, for real. My mind went blank at that time and all I think about is punching that guy in the face for what he did to you." I felt her lips on my forehead and my eyes closed, instantly.

"It's okay, lovey," She's stroking my cheek which made me blushed. "But, I'm genuinely curious. Why did that thought even crossed your mind? Well, I understand naman kung hindi mo sasabihin sa akin."

Sumandal ako sa my head board ng kama at hinapit siya papalapit. She encircled her arms around me while my left arm is on her shoulders.

"To be honest, I don't know. Or maybe because... he did that to you and I can't control my emotions and it got the best of me. I'm really sorry."

"I told you, it's okay." I kissed her head.

"But can I ask you a question?" Sabi ko.

"Ano 'yon?"

"D-Did I, did I scare you?" Kinakabahan kong tanong.

Saglit itong natahimik at nagbaling ng tingin sa lapag. "N-No, no."

"Izhang, please. Tell me the truth."

Humarap ito sa akin at hinagkan ako ng halik. "No. You didn't scare me, okay? I was just worried."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes."

"Okay. Uhm... d-do you love me?" Hindi ko alam kung bakit biglang lumabas 'yon sa bibig ko pero gusto kong marinig kung ano ang magiging sagot niya.

"Tinatanong pa ba 'yan? Of course, I love you. Mahal kita, Sherwin." Biglang lumiwanag ang mukha sa sinabi niya.

"Okay, then. May sasabihin ako sayo."

"W-What is it?" Ramdam ko ang kaba sa boses niya dahil biglang nanlamig ang kamay niya na hawak ko ngayon.

"I... I had—I had a dark thought." I confessed, nervously.