Rumors

PAGKATAPOS iwan lahat ni Kira ang pinamiling grocery sa penthouse ni Aivan.

Napag-desisyunan niyang magpunta sa Green Park para makapag-isip.

Hawak-hawak ni Kira ang cellphone niya habang nakatanaw sa malayo at malalim ang iniisip.

Mali ba ang pag-asam niya na maging masaya? Na maging malaya?

Kira opened her phone and she tried callimg Marta's number to see if Ricci's telling the truth.

She kept on ringing Marta and Marta's not picking up the call. Kira frustratedly combed her hair and she tried to calm herself. She's worried for her mother.

She's feeling guilty from what she had done.

Ricci has a point. Her parents are powerful enough that they can find her for a day, but they didn't. They waited for her to go back by her own.

But Kira doesn't want to leave the country, there's something holding her back. There's something that keeps her from leaving the country.

"Why are you not picking up my calls, Marta? Where are you?" Pabulong na wika ni Kira at napahilot ng sintido.

Nakatanggap biglaan ng tawag si Kira na galing kay Aivan. Wala nang sinayang pang segundo si Kira at sinagot niya iyon kaagad.

"Hello? Ba't ka napatawag?" Pagtatanong ni Kira kay Aivan sa linya.

"Nasa'n ka? I just finished my conference."

Bumuntong hininga si Kira at napatayo. "I'm actually on my way back to your penthouse." Sagot niya sa binata.

"Okay, I'll see you back home then." Wika nito at akmang ibaba na ni Kira ang tawag nang bigla itong nagsalita ulit. "Cook something, I'm hungry. Bye!"

Kaagad na pinatay ni Aivan ang tawag at napailing-iling nalang si Kira sa ginawa ng binata.

Naglakad na palabas si Kira ng Green park at hinintay na mag-green light ang tawiran. She waited for the go signal on the pedestrian lane and as she patiently waited for it, she looked at the clear sky.

Aivan's voice actually calmed her. She doesn't even know why Aivan brings out the peace of her mind. She's really anxious about her parents in Italy.

What should she do? Should she go back and show up like nothing happened? Like she did not leave home and went missing for six months?

Hindi alam ni Kira ang gagawin niya dahil alam niya na ang bawat desisyon na gagawin niya ay mayroong kapalit na hindi niya aakalain. Her friends' efforts will go to waste if she leaves the country — she doesn't want to leave the country because of Aivan.

Once she leaves, then she can't go back anymore.

She doesn't even know what kind of relationship she has with Aivan.

Dahil sa lalim ng iniisip ni Kira, hindi niya napansin na green light na pala, kaya siya ang naunang tumawid sa mga kasama niyang tatawid.

She's out of her haze and she can't think straight as of the moment. She suddenly heard loud honk from a car on her right side and she was shocked when she saw that the car wasn't stopping at all.

Mabilis ang pagtakbo ng kotse at tanging napapikit nalang si Kira at napatakip ng ulo dahil sa takot.

Nabigla si Kira nang may yumakap sa kanya at tinakbo siya papunta sa dulo ng tawiran.

She slowly opened her eyes and she knew that someone saved her. Kaagad siyang napatayo at nakita ang nakangiwing mukha ng lalaki na nagligtas sa kanya.

She looked at him with sympathy. "Oh god... Are you alright?" Natatarantang wika ni Kira at halos hindi niya alam ang gagawin niya dahil sa panay ang pagngiwi nito at paghawak sa siko.

The man opened his eyes and when he finally met hers, she saw how he was startled.

The man stood up like nothing happened and he suddenly cupped her cheeks. "I can't believe it..." Mahinang wika nito.

Kira tried to push him but she can't do it by force because the man was injured and she was the cause of it.

"Sir, are you alright? Should I bring you to the hospital —" Hindi natuloy ang dapat sasabihin ni Kira nang unahan siya ng lalaki.

"What are you doing here, Ms. Chua? Why are you in the Philippines?" The man asked at her with confusion.

"Do I know you?" Kira asked him.

Tipid na pekeng tumawa ito at tumayo. "This is really unbelievable."

Tumayo rin si Kira at napatinginsa braso ng binata na halos panay ang masahe nito. "I think I should compensate for your injury. May malapit na hospital dito." Wika ni Kira at kaagad na hinila ang isang kamay ng binata at dinala sa hospital kung saan nagtratrabaho si Aivan.

Pagkapasok na pagkapasok ni Kira sa hospital ay kaagad siyang nagtawag ng mag-aasikaso sa lalaking nagligtas sa kanya.

Kasama siya nito sa loob ng emergency room at ginagamot na siya ng doktor ngayon.

Nag-aalalang nakatingin si Kira sa lalaki dahil mukhang hindi lang iyon simpleng injury.

Kaagad na kinuha ni Kira ang cellphone niya at kaagad na sinabihan si Aivan na mahuhuli siya sa pagbalik sa penthouse.

'I'll be late. I have encountered some problems. But after this, I'll cook some food.'

After typing the message, she immediately sent the message and she closed the message.

"Okay na po ang pasyente, Ma'am." Pagtawag sa kanya ng doktor. "Kailangan niya lang po magpahinga ng ilang araw at bawal po muna siya sa masyadong mahihirap na gawain para gumaling kaagad ang pilay niya."

Tumango si Kira sa sinabi ng doktor. "Salamat po, Doc." Pagpapasalamat ni Kira sa doktor at napatinginsa binata na naza likod ng doktor na tinitignan ang benda sa kamay.

"Oh, sige po. Mauuna na po ako." Paalam ng doktor.

Kaagad na nilapitan ni Kira ang binata at napatingin sa benda nito.

"I want to say thank you for saving me and I'll compensate the medical bills. I'm really sorry, it was my fault." Paghihingi ni Kira ng paumanhin dito.

"You're fluent in speaking tagalog." Panimula ng binata. "Hindi mo talaga ako kilala?" Dagdag na tanong nito sa kanya.

Napakamot ng ulo si Kira at bumuntong hininga. "I know it's rude to ask this but, have we met?"

"You met me in Italy! It was when my parents —"

Hindi nito natuloy ang sasabihin dahil biglang nagsunod-sunod ang pagtunog ng notification ni Kira.

Kaagad na binuksan ni Kira ang cellphone niya at nabigla siya sa nakitang tadtad na mensahe ni Aivan sa kanya.

Napakagat labi si Kira at napatampal nuo sa nakita. Binalik niya ang tingin sa binata at kaagad na nagsalita. "I'm really sorry, but I have to go." Ani ni Kira. "I'll pay for the bills and thank you for saving me." Dagdag na saad ni Kira at kaagad na nagpunta sa labas para bayaran ang bills.

She filled up the form and she immediately went outside the hospital. She has to save money starting from today, she's been spending too much money.

BINUKSAN ni Kira ang pintuan ng penthouse at nabigla siya nang bumungad kaagad ang nag-aalalang si Aivan at kaagad siya nitong niyakap.

"Thank god, you're finally home!"

Natigilan si Kira sa sinabi ni Aivan. She doesn't know how to respond.

"I'm... I'm sorry for making you... worry." Mahinang wika ni Kira at kaagad na tumigil sa pagyakap si Aivan at tinignan siya mula ulo hanggang paa.

"Tell me!" Nag-aalalang wika ni Aivan. "What happened?"

Should she tell him? Masyado na niyang pinag-aalala si Aivan at ayaw niya naman na mas lalo pa itong mag-alala sa kanya.

"Wala, walang nangyari." Pagsisinungaling ni Kira kay Aivan.

"Then, what do you mean by problems?" He asked.

Nakita niya ang tila pagbuntong hininga ni Aivan at pinagdikit nito ang nuo nilang dalawa.

"I was dead worried about your whereabouts, Kira. Next time, tell me the full details, okay?"

Ngumiti si Kira at tumango. "Okay!"

"Good, then."

Kira went inside the kitchen and she looked at Aivan. "What would you want me to cook for our merienda?" Kira asked him as she took the apron beside her.

"I'm not hungry anymore. I actually want to watch a movie instead."

Binaba ni Kira ang apron at sa kaloob-looban niya ay natuwa siya. She doesn't have to cook anymore! She also wants to rest.

Tumango si Kira at nilapag ang apron sa gilid. "Okay, go on and watch your movie. I'll just take a rest." Paalam niya. She's physically and emotionally tired. She needs sleep.

Nabigla si Kira nang hilain siya ni Aivan papunta sa sofa at pinaupo siya nito. Nang makaupo na si Aivan sa sofa ay pinahiga siya ng binata at ipinatong ang ulo niya sa hita nito.

"Rest beside me." Nakangiting saad ni Aivan at hinalikan ang nuo niya bago buksan ang TV.

Nag-iwas ng tingin si Kira at napahawak ng mahigpit sa tshirt niya. She needs to stop herself from showing some emotion.

Aivan started to play with her hair and Kira can't help but to look at him with awe.

Kira was startled when Aivan suddenly spoke. "I really can't help but to get curious, Kira." He spoke out, "Anong nangyari? Anong problema ang tinutukoy mo?"

Mahinang natawa si Kira at sinara ang pintuan sa likod niya. "Wala lang 'yon. Naiwan ko kasi yung wallet ko sa park, kaya hinanap ko muna bago umuwi." Dagdag na pagsisinungaling ni Kira.

"Did you manage to find it?"

Tumango si Kira at pumikit. "Yep." She said.

Biglaang pumasok sa isip ni Kira ang mabilisang pag-uusap nilang dalawa ng boss niya kanina sa mall.

Tama nga naman ang boss niya dahil kahit gaano pa kasama ang ugali ni Iris, alam ni Kira na kahit papaano ay may pagsasama ang dalawa bilang magkaibigan kahit na may gusto ang dalaga kay Aivan.

She's not in the place to stop him from being friends with Iris, because just what her boss mentioned earlier — both of them know each other for over twenty years and they're throwing it all away.

"Narinig ko sa kapatid mo na mayroon kayong pupuntahang birthday bukas. Hindi ka ba pupunta?" Kira started it with a short question.

"No." He simply answered. "It's tiresome. Why would I waste my time for someone like her?"

"But she's your friend, right?"

Bumuntong hininga si Aivan at sumandal. "I did not even mention who's having a party tomorrow and yet, you know who I am pertaining to." Panimula ni Aivan. "Alam ko rin na kinausap ka ni Aiden para pilitin ako na pumunta sa birthday ni Iris."

There's nothing to hide anymore. Alam ni Aivan ang tinutukoy niya at alam rin nito kung anong mayroon at ba't niya in-open up ang usapan tungkol dito.

"Even if both of you are not in a good relationship as of the moment..." Kira started, "You still grew up with her, right? Just don't think about what happened for the past few days and just attend her party."

"Okay."

Great! All she has to do know is to tell her boss —

"But you have to come with me." He added.

Napatayo si Kira, "What? No! I can't."

"You need to go with me if you want me to attend her birthday party." Nakangising saad nito at napasandal habang pinag-krus ang kamay.

KIRA just found herself wearing a black masquerade mask and with her white midi bodycon dress.

Nasa loob sila ngayon ng elevator sa hotel na pagmamay-ari ng pamilya ni Aivan. Hindi alam ni Kira kung bakit narito sa ngayon.

She was just arguing with him yesterday about going to Iris' birthday. She'snot even invited, she doesn't know why she's even beside Aivan at the moment.

"I don't even know why I am here." Kira said as she broke the silence. "I don't even know who to talk to there. I'm an uninvited guest, Aivan."

"Nandoon si Chaun. You won't be bored there since he's there." Wika ni Aivan na sumakto sa pagbukas ng elevator.

That's not the main problem at all. The main problem is being an uninvited guest at someone's birthday — specially when that 'someone' specifically hates her. By all means.

Nakita ni Kira kung paano nagsi-lingunan ang mga tao. They were all dressed elegantly. With their shining jewelries and clothes itself. They also paired their clothing with their elegant masquerade mask.

She felt the vibe of a classic ball.

Nakita niya na nakatingin si Aivan sa kanya at pansin niyang nagpipigil ito ng tawa. He grabbed her hand and he clung it on his arms.

Naglakad sila papunta sa puwesto kung nasaan si Iris nakikipag-kuwentuhan. When they finally got her attention, she saw how Iris reacted on her presence.

Kira saw how Iris talked to a woman beside her, and it looked like she's in mid-50's.

"Aivan!" Iris exclaimed happily and gave Aivan a hug. Kira stepped back a bit to let Iris have her moment.

Since it is clearly her birthday. Kira won'targue with her or even try to compete with her.

"Happy birthday." Aivan plainly greeted her and handed her his gift.

Kira saw how Iris smiled and hug Aivan again.

Nagsalita ang babae na kausap ni Iris kani-kanina lang. "Both of you really match. No doubt." Nakangiting wika ng ginang.

"She's just my friend. Don't do the matchmaking." Aivan informally stated to the elder.

Kira was a hit taken a back on how did Aivan answer the woman.

"Why are you holding back, Aivan?" Pagtataning ng ginang at lumapit kay Iris. "Is Krisza still on your mind? Move on from her, she caused too much misery in your life —"

"You don't have to comment about that. Tahimik na ang taong iniinsulto mo, hindi ka na ba nahiya?" Malamig na wika ni Aivan. "I brought someone with me, Mom. She's my girlfriend."

Kira froze. Aivan just answered his mom just like that? Like she's a total stranger?

"Ah, I see..." Mahinang panimula ni Iris. "You tagged someone along." Dagdag ni Iris at nagpakita ng patagong ngisi. Iris looked at Aivan's mom. "She's the one I'm talking about, Tita Vannie."

Napatango-tango ang ginang at tinignansiya mula ulo hanggang paa. "So she's that person, huh?"

Kira took a step forward and she introduced herself. "It's nice meeting you, Tita —"

"Don't call me, Tita." Malamig na wika nito. "I can't let a plastic monster to call me like that." Napalakasang pagkakasabi ng ginang kaya nakuha nito ang atensyon ng mga tao sa paligid.

Natigilan si Kira sa sinabi nito sa kanya. Plastic monster? What does she mean?

Hindi nakaramdam nang kahit anong sakit si Kira sa sinabi ng ginang. But as soon as she heard the people around her murmur about what the woman just said, she felt degraded.

"What are you talking about, Mom? Wala ka na ba talagang alam kung 'di mang-insulto ng tao?" Bakas ang galit sa boses ni Aivan at alam ni Kira na hindi dapat ito gawin ng binata dahil ina ito ng binata.

She calmed Aivan down. "It's fine, Aivan. Don't get mad." Kira whispered.

She saw how Aivan calmed down and when Aivan held her hands, she immediately went away with him.

Pumunta ito sa isang lamesa, nakita ni Kira na kasama sa lamesa na iyon sila Chaun at ang kapatid ni Aivan na si Sir Aiden.

"You came." Saad ng kapatid ni Aivan habang hawak-hawak ang isang champagne glass.

Her boss looked at her and she saw how he slowly lifted the champagne glass and mouthed 'good job'.

"Oh, dinala mo pala si Kira!" Chaun exclaimed. Chaun was about to stand beside her when Aivan suddenly stopped Chaun.

"Distance." Tipid na saad nito kaya nagtatakang tinignan ni Kira si Aivan.

"Mukhang wala ka sa mood, huh?" Natatawang tanong ni Chaun kay Aivan.

"Parang hindi ka na nasanay, Chaun." Ani ni Aiden, "When Mom's around, Aivan looks like that. May bago ba?"

Napatango-tango si Chaun at napangiti. "I thought hindi ka pupunta?" Pagtatanong ni Chaun at napatingin sa kanya. "How did you manage to bring this dog, Kira?"

Natawa si Kira sa kung paano tawagin ni Chaun si Aivan. Nang marinig ni Aivan ang hagikgik niya, napalingon ito sa kanya at kaagad namang natigil si Kira sa pagtawa.

"I don't like business, but aside from healing sick people—" Aivan stopped and glanced at her, "I do know how to make deals."

"Whatever, Aivan." Panimula ni Aiden. "Let's go and greet Tita Irene." Kaagad na tumayo si Aiden at inakbayan ang kapatid paalis.

Sinundan lang ni Kira ng tingin si Aivan at naiwan siyang mag-isa kasama si Chaun. Wala nang nagawa si Kira kung 'di umupo sa bakanteng upuan.

She was about to remove her masquerade mask when Chaun stopped her. "Huwag mong tanggalin."

Binaba ni Kira ang kamay at nagtatakang tinanong si Chaun. "Why? It's getting hot and it's a bit uncomfortable wearing it."

"Just follow what I say and you'll thank me later." Sagot ni Chaun sa kanya.

Kira sighed and he just followed what Chaun advised her to do. Hindi halos alam ni Kira ang dahilan pero mas mabuting sundin niya na lang ang sinabi ni Chaun.

Nahagilap ng paningin niya si Aivan kasama ang kapatid niya na nakikipag-usap sa iba't ibang mga bisita.

Pansin rin ni Kira ang panay na pagdikut ni Iris kay Aivan kahit sa'n man ito magpunta.

Its actually no big deal for her. Iris can cling as much as she like, she doesn't care. It's Aivan's choice if he wants to cling back.

Nabigla si Kira nang marahan siyang sikuhin ni Chaun. "You jealous?" He bluntly asked.

"Of course not. Why would I be jealous of his childhood friend?" Kira said and she lightly chuckled. "Kung magseselos ako sa ganyang bagay, edi dapat kapag nakikita ko kayong dalawa ni Aivan na magkasama magseselos na din dapat ako." Kira acknowledged him.

"Such an understanding girlfriend." Mahinang wika ni Chaun at napatingin si Chaun sa paligid at binalik ang tingin sa kanya, "I'll get some drinks. Stay here and wait for me."

Tanging tango lang ang naibigay niyang sagot kay Chaun at kaagad na tumayo ito para kumuha ng maiinom.

Kira felt a bit conscious on her surrounding, not only because there were people murmuring behind their back but rather their deadly stares and gossiping.

"She's with Aivan. Can't you believe it?"

"Ang kapal naman ng mukha niya para pumunta dito? Sa birthday pa mismo ng fiance ni Aivan."

"Can you imagine girls like her? Each day that passes, they're getting braver."

"Did hear the rumors? Yung babae na 'yan nag-undergo ng plastic surgery para maging kamukha yung ex-girlfriend at makuha niya atensyon ni Aivan."

"Desperdang higad."

Napakuyom ng kamao si Kira. People loves gossip. They will believ what they hear rather than understanding the word rumor itself.

Napatayo na lang si Kira at kaagad na dumeretso ng banyo para pakalmahin ang sarili. She has to keep her anger and calm herself down.

Hindi naman totoo ang sinasabi ng mga tao sa party dahil ni-kailan ay hindi siya nag-undergo ng plastic surgery para makuha ang kanino mang atensyon.

Kira knows what's best, rather than fighting back to those shameless gossipers.

Kira opened the bathroom's door and she immediately went in front of the large mirror.

Kira slowly removed her masquerade mask and stared at her face in front of the mirror.

Mas komplikado pa ang nangyayari mula nung nakilala niya si Aivan. It was fun but slowly things started to get worst. Is this the path she chose?

Ever since she was little all she wanted to have for her future was to be happy. Imagine, her four year old self was asked what she wants when grows up. Her answer was to be happy and to feel happy.

Kira held her cheeks and sighed. "I'm far from the person they are talking about." Bulong ni Kira.

What if they'll get to know that she's the only daughter of a multi-millionaire? Of course they would treat her differently. People will leech on people who are rich and powerful.

Narinig ni Kira ang tila pagbukas ng pintuan at dahil sa taranta kaagad na hinablot niya ang masquerade mask niya pero nang mamukhaan niya kung sino iyon, kaagad niyang binaba ang maskara.

Mahinang natawa si Kira at inayos ang buhok. Iris went beside her and Kira just ignored Iris. She wore her masquerade mask back and she was about to leave Iris alone when Iris suddenly talked behind her back.

"So, the rumors were true? You had undergo a plastic surgery to look like Krisza, right? Mukhang nataranta ka kasi nung pumasok ako dito." Iris sounded so smug. "Why? Are you afraid of something, Kira?"

"I don't want to argue with you, Iris. I don't want to ruin your birthday." Mahinahong wika ni Kira.

"Ayaw mong sirain ang araw ko? Nakakatawa naman 'yang sinabi mo, Kira." Natatawang saad ni Iris at nagpunta sa harap niya. Nag-iwas si Kira ng tingin dahil ayaw niyang mas mairita. "You already ruined it, Kira. As far as I know, I only invited Aivan."

Napangisi si Kira sa sinabi ni Iris. "Hindi ki rin naman ginustiong pumunta dito. I only did go here out of kindness." Natatawang saad ni Kira. "Aivan won't even attend her childhood friend's birthday if it wasn't for my help."

"What nonsense lies are you telling me right now?" Hindi naniwala si Iris sa sinabi niya at nanatili itong may ngiti. "Alam ko naman kung bakit ka sinami ni Aivan dito. He wants to get rid of you by having you witness the announcement my parents and his parents prepared. Aren't you curious?"

Mahinang natawa si Kira at nagbigay ng tingin na nagpapakita ng sarkasmo. "Oh, I'm really curious, Iris." She sarcastically stated. As soon as she mocked Iris, she immediately went outside the restroom and she tried leaving the place but she can't.

She tried finding Aivan or Chaun. But, there were no signs of them.

She tried to ignore everyone around her. She tried to pretend she's deaf or blind just to perfectly ignore the people around her. Hindi pa nila nakikita ang mukha niya para masabi nila na nagparetoke siya para maging kamukha ang dating kasintahan ni Aivan.

Kira tried her best to find Aivan and ask him if they can leave. She's fed up.

"Thank you for attending my daughter's birthday! I would like to announce some big news for everyone."

Nakuha ang atensyon ni Kira nang may magsalita sa harap ng stage. She assumed that she's Iris' mother because they somehow look a like.

Nakita ni Kira si Aivan sa wakas, pero paakyat ito ng stage kasama ang ina. Kira's confused on what's actually happening.

"It's been great to see my daughter and Aivan grow up together. And I wanted to make my family's relationship with the Marceau to deepen. And in order to do that, we decided to..." Iris' mother looked at Aivan's mother with a smile. "arranging them into marriage."

Mapait na natawa si Kira sa narinig. Arrange marriage is really a thing between rich people.

It felt like she's been in this position. It felt really familiar. Kira doesn't even know why she's feeling something. It felt like something stabbed her and she doesn't know why she's reacting like this.

"What a great announcement." Nabigla siya nang makita niya na nasa tabi niya na si Iris at mayroong ngiti sa labi na tila ba nagsasabing nagtagumpay siya. "Ano pa kaya ang kulang? Oh, I know." Iris added and she suddenly grabbed something from her purse.

Inabot iyon ni Iris sa kanya at nang makita niyang cheque iyon, mahinang natawa si Kira.

"You watch too many dramas, Iris. Masyado ka nang nalunod sa mga imahinasyon mong 'yan." Natatawang saad ni Kira. "Anong tingin mo sa akin? I can also do something that'll feed my anger." Mahinang saad ni Kira at kumuha ng champagne para uminom at tahimik na panoorin ang susunod na sasabihin ng ginang sa harap.

"I'm sorry to break you but, I am able to do what makes me happy." Nabigla si Kira nang kumuha rin ng champagne si Iris at akmang ibubuhos niya ito sa sarili nang mapangisi si Kira.

Kaagad na hinablot ni Kira ang pulsuhan ni Iris at gamit ang hawak na champagne ni Iris, hinayaan ni Kira na itapon ni Iris ang champagne sa kanya gamit ang pagkontrol ni Kira sa pulsuhan nito.

Nang maramdaman ni Kira ang kalamigan ng inumin ay kaagad siyang napatili at umakto na para bang itinulak siya ni Iris.

"Ahh!" Sigaw ni Kira na kumuha sa atensyon ng mga tao. She secretly smirked and she saw how shocked Iris was.

Napansin niya na nagbubulungan na naman ang mga tao sa paligid at alam ni Kira ang gagawin sa mga ganitong sitwasyon.

"If you want me to break up with Aivan. I am willing to break up with him... I don't need your money. I'm not a beggar." Kira looked at the cheque on the floor. Even if she's drenched from the champagne, she did not remove her mask at all.

Kira already had enough. She's used to rich people like Iris when she was in Italy. This is how she deals with them. She's not an idiot who's weak.

"What's happening here?!" Narinig niya ang boses ni Aivan at kaagad na nagpunta si Kira kay Aivan at niyakap ito. Umaktong umiiyak si Kira at napansin niya na kasama ni Aivan ang ina at ang ina ni Iris.

"I'm sorry, Aivan. I think I need to break up with you. I don't want you to ruin your relationship with Iris and your parents." Kira acted up once again.

Pinasuot ni Aivan ang coat nito sa kanya at nakita ni Kira kung paano dinampot ng ina ni Aivan ang cheque na nasa sahig.

"We're leaving. This is too much!" Galit na saad ni Aivan at binuhat siya nito. "You should be thankful that Kira managed to convonce me to attend to my childhood friend's birthday, but you're far from the friend I knew, Iris. You should know better." Malamig na saad ni Iris at bago umalis ay nilingon nito ang sariling ina. "I won't agree on what you're planning, Mom. I only love one person and if I'm really your son, you should consider my happiness."

Aivan brought her outside the party and as soon as they both got inside the elevator, Aivan put her down.

"I assume that everything was an acting, right?" Pagtatanong ni Aivan sa kanya.

Kira sighed and she nodded. "Sorry. Hindi ako sanay na hindi lumaban pabalik. I'm used to people like her, and if I don't do anything to make her stop — then she won't really stop."

"Great then." Nakangiting wika ni Aivan at hinalikan siya sa nuo. "I don't want to hear the 'break-up' from you again, Kira. I won't let that happen because you are mine."

Nakaramdam ng pag-iinit ng pisngi si Kira at napaiwas ng tingin. She just hummed to him as a response.

"I am your girlfriend, right?" Kira asked at Aivan.

Aivan nodded and as soon as the elevator opened, they both got out. "Why'd you ask that? Of course you are!"

Kira smiled. "I was confused with my relationship with you. No blackmailed relationship? Is it a real relationship?"

Tumango si Aivan sa kanya at ngumiti sa harap niya. "No blackmailing. No faking. No lies. I like you a lot, Kira. I want to claim you as my girlfriend, as my woman and claim you as mine. No Krisza, no Iris. I only like you, Kira. I don't want to let you go."

Kira then finally realized something. She doesn't want to let him go too.