I wanted to see you

"Saan ka nagpunta?" he asked awkwardly.

Doon siya namutla. Hindi nga pala nito alam ang lakad niya, at nawala rin sa isip niya ang tungkol kay Darcy. Natataranta siyang tumingin sa baba patungo sa hawak na puting bolide pouch.

"Ikaw, kumain na?" Shawn interrupted her.

Nilagpasan siya nito. Habang pababa ng hagdan ay tinanggal nito ang suot na maruming itim na t-shirt. His upper pecs flexed while crumpling the shirt. Nang mababa'y lumingon ito sa kanya. "Lulu, cooked some fish. Sabayan mo na ako."

"Ah, yeah!" Agad siyang sumunod dito.

Shawn was now on his black sando. Busy ito sa pagkuha ng pinggan at kutsara, kaya agad siyang lumapit sa cabinet ng baso. Habang kumukuha ng dalawang glass ay sumulyap siya sa lamesa. May nakahain ng kanin at naroon ang tinutukoy nitong isda. They were look delicious.

She silently sat across him. Watching him how to cut the fish into a square. He's so flawless while doing that, tama ngang magkaibigan sila ni Malik. They were both look tidy and flawless, except that Shawn looks kind and approachable while Malik was looking brute.

She munched the fish while nodding her head. Lulu never fails them in any dishes she cooked. Natigilan siya sa pag-critique nang mapansin si Shawn na nakatingin sa kanya. Patay malisya niyang ibinaba ang kubyertos para tingnan ito. "What?"

Tinuro siya ni Shawn, may binubulong ito pero hindi niya maunawaan. Shawn looks struggling too. Kaya nang ituro nito ang gilid ng labi ay nakuha niya agad. She removed the sauce on the side of her lip using her tongue.

Natulala si Shawn sa ginawa niya. Lalo noong tumaas-baba ang adams apple nito.

"Mayroon pa?" she asked innocently. Hindi pa siya nakuntento sa ginawa. Ginamit niya ang hinlalaki para siguraduhing wala na talaga.

Shawn chuckled. "Wala na. Ang salaula mo kumain." Tukso nito sabay abot sa Pitcher. Sinalinan muna nito ang kanyang baso bago ang sariling baso. "Saan ka ba galing?" Tanong nito habang umiinom, hindi inaalis ang tingin sa kanya.

"Nakipagkita ako sa bestfriend kong si Peachy. Pabalik na kasi ulit siya sa Dubai," she lied confidently.

Shawn nodded his head. Ang buong atensyon nito ay sa paghiwa na ng isda. "It's okay. Have fun. Huwag mong buruhin ang sarili mo rito." Lumingon ito sa kanya noong papasubo.

She pursed her lips. Naalala niya ang Candella, at hanggang ngayon ay hindi pa niya nakikita ang finished product ng photoshoot nila. "Pupunta ako sa Candela sa makalawa. Sasamahan ko sila mama."

Ngumiti sa kanya si Shawn. "Sasamahan kita."

Kumunot ang noo niya. "Akala ko ba busy ka?"

"Aba, uso ang Day off, Winona. Anong akala mo sa akin?"

Natatawa niyang inikutan ito ng mata.

Natapos sila ng gabing iyon na puro harutan at nanood ng horror movie. She can say, this is the moment she wanted to have with Frank; siblings bonding, though she can understand him. Frank was very naïve and stupid, while Shawn is matured and chill guy.

Tanghali na siya nang magising. Her eyes were still heavy when she pushed herself to go down the stair to fetch some water. Hawak ang sinalinang baso, pinili niyang manatili sa puwesto hanggang sa matulala.

Do I really miss him that much...? She thought as she followed the image on her daydream. I can imagine Malik right now walking in front of me with... She smirked when she sees something. With... only his sweatpants.

Malik passed through her to get mug on the cabinet. He's busy on wiping his sweaty shoulder when he suddenly stopped to glance at her.

Kinusot niya ang parehas na mata at muling tumingin kay Malik. Kasalukuyan itong humihigop habang nakatingin sa kanya. "Good morning!" he casually greeted.

Namilog ang mata niya. He's real? She looked away to collect all her senses. Pumikit siya nang mariin sa sobrang hiya. "Bakit ka narito? Tsaka, bakit ka pawisan?" Hindi siya makatingin dito. His exposed upper body was very intimidating; actually everything about him makes her body trembled and wary. Feeling niya kapag tumingin siya rito ay magkakasala siya.

"I do my usual routine every morning... workout for forty minutes," he answered.

Nahigit niya ang hininga nang sadyain nitong ibangga ang dibdib sa balikat niya. Lalo tuloy naging marubdob ang kalabog ng kanyang dibdib. She harshly closed her eyes. She's aware of what he is doing right now. And it was very tempting.

"Hindi ko tinapos ang event para makausap ka, ang kaso tulog ka na raw sabi ni Shawn."

She bit her lower lip when his both hand snake around her waist. "Miss na kita agad," bulong nito. He even crouched to sniff her neck.

Damn it! Magdurugo pa yata ang labi niya sa sobrang pagtitimpi. "A-anong oras ka dumating? N-nanood pa kami ni Shawn ng movie, medyo late na rin kami natulog." Yumuko siya para siguraduhing walang dumi ang mukha niya. Pambihira, hindi pa ako nagmumumog, or naghilamos. Gosh!

Dumistansiya ito para harapin siya. She tried to look away out of embarrassment but he is persistent. He holds onto her shoulder side by side to corner her. "That's why I sleep here so I can see you." He tenderly looks at her.

Pulangpula na siya sa sobrang dito. Tumingin siya sa dibdib nito, "Si Shawn?"

Si Malik na ang lumayo sa kanya. Kinuha nito ang mug na may timpla ng cappuccino para ibigay sa kanya. "Maaga siyang umalis. His team was kind of busy these days."

Nahihiya niyang kinuha ang mug. Inabot din niya ang tissue box sa lamesa para punasan ang gilid ng labi niya. Whe she analyzed his phrases she nodded her head. Ngayon ay nauunawaan niya na kung bakit hindi sila nagkakatagpo ni Shawn.

While sipping on her mug, her eyes traveled on Malik's body. She immediately noticed the elusive ab V on his lower abdomen. His sweat pant was lazily hanged showing it, calling for an attention.

Nasamid siya nang makitang pinapanood siya ni Malik.

"Are you alright?" Tanong nito, agad nakalapit sa kanya. He gently massaged her back to ease the pain.

But actually what he was doing right now kept on irritating her throat. Lalo siyang nauubo.

Tinaas niya ang parehas na kamay. "I'm fine. Teka, kumain ka na ba?" She watched him put his mug on the basin.

Pagkatapos nitong maghugas ng kamay at tuyuin iyon, lumapit agad ito sa kanya.

"Hindi pa. Let's go outside." He took her hand and pulled her going to the backyard.

Malayo palang ay nakita niya na ang hammock swing na kulay puti. Kapansin-pansin iyon dahil sa liwanag na tumatama galing sa gold stars na isinabit sa paligid ng mga dahon.

She absentmindedly bit her lower lip while smiling like an idiot. She never knows that Malik had this childish idea. Everything was very cute, far from his savaged front face, though she'd love it.

Nilingon niya si Malik habang nakataas ang kilay. Nahuli niya itong nakatingin sa kanya. "You did this?" she asked wearing a playful smile.

"Everything was my idea... except with that—"

She watched how his eyes point each gold star as if he was very embarrassed. "Golden star thingy," dugtong nito.

Nakita niya sila Lulu na sumisilip sa bintana. Kumakaway ito at nag-sign na aalis na para makapagsolo silang dalawa ni Malik. Pilit niyang tinatanaw ito nang harangan ni Malik ang vision niya.

"Let's grill the meat then?"

Humalukipkip siya imbes na magpahawak sa kamay. "I will seat on the swing while watching you."

Tumaas ang gilid ng labi nito. "That's fine with me."

Ganoon nga ang nangyari, busy si Malik sa pagpapabaga ng uling habang siya'y nagagawa pang mag-selfie sa swing. She even took some throw pillow and blanket to put on each sides of the swing. Malaki iyon na kayang okupahin ng dalawang tao.

She's taking her last selfie when a sneaking two hands snaked around her waist. Kasabay nang pagpindot niya ay ang paglingon sa taong iyon. Her heart hammered her ribcage when Malik planted a kiss on her cheeks.

"You seem to enjoy it all," bulong nito.

"Medyo." Tipid niyang sagot bago nilingon ang nakahaing pagkain, "Kakain na ba tayo?"

Malik pinched her nose. "Give me that. Let's take some photos."

Nag-alangan siya dahil shirtless ito, pero wala na siyang nagawa noong kuhanin nito ang cellphone at itinaas. He even pulled her closer.

"Okay, 1. 2. 3. Smile!" he said.

Her sweet smile vanished when he kissed her on the cheek. Pinalo niya ito sa dibdib dahil doon. "Burahin mo 'yan. Bakit mo 'yon ginawa?" Inagaw niya iyon at matagumpay na nakuha.

Malik goes back on the griller to take the cooked meat. He's smiling from ear to ear when he glanced at her. She suspicious about that so she immediately checked the photos. Namangha siya sa nakita. Timing ang kuha dahil nakahalik sa pisngi niya ito. Her face was half smiling and find herself fit with him.

"Give me a copy of that."

"Okay," her response, still can't get over with the picture.

She remember their first photos. Kuha iyon ni Alice noong natutulog sila ni Malik. Nakaunan siya sa dibdib ni Malik habang ang binata naman ay kinukulong siya ng mga bisig nito.

Nang mga panahon na iyon, ramdam niya ang buong atensyon ni Malik. Ang pag-aaruga at proteksyon na kailanman ay hindi nabigo. She understand why he was like that, because he treat her as his real sister. Pero ngayong binabalikan niya ang nakaraan, she find the other way around. Especially, about the ring.

Katatapos lang nila kumain. Pumasok si Malik sa loob saglit para mag-toilet.

She stayed on the swing while watching the leaves. Umihip ang pangtanghaling hangin, huminga siya nang malalim para langhapin iyon. Dahil mapuno sa gawi nila'y hindi iyon masakit sa balat, nakaka-relax pa nga at nakakagaan sa pakiramdam.

"Tumawag si Shawn. Pupunta kayo ng Manila?"

Napaupo siya nang marinig ang boses ni Malik. "Off niya ba bukas?" she asked back.

Malik was holding a two bottled of soda. Inabot nito ang isa sa kanya, habang ang isa naman ay tinutungga na nito. "Yeah. It's a legal holiday. Sa makalawa ang day off niya." Muli itong uminom habang ang isang kamay ay nakasuksok sa bulsa ng sweat pant.

Natulala siya sa pagtaas-baba ng adams apple nito, lalo ang paggalaw ng kanyang lower abdomen. Umiwas siya nang tingin noong tumingin si Malik. Lumapit ito sa kanya para hatakin siya patayo.

"I heard you go back into modeling." He said while intently looking at her face.

"Para kay mama at papa, pero sa Candella palang."

Iyon ang unang pagkakataon na magpa-picture siyang lantad ang mismong mukha niya. Excited para roon, iyon ang nangingibabaw na pakiramdam niya pero sa loob niya ay may nagsasabing huwag ng bumalik. Dahil kapag bumalik siya, pakiramdam niya ay may naghihintay na peligro sa buhay niya.

"Does Tita and Tito knew already?" tanong nitong nagpatango sa kanya.

Napuna niya agad ang pag-igting nang panga nito. His soulful eyes changed into a murderous. "What did they say?" he asked again.

Hindi niya dapat sinasagot ang mga tanong nito. Pero siya lang kasi ang taong nakakaalam ng lahat mula simula ng buhay niya. Pause knew how she met Carla, but he don't know about Malik. Winona knows her childhood days, ang ampunan at ang tungkol sa pagkikita nila ni Carla, pero hindi nito alam ang tungkol sa Holmes at kay Malik.

She kept all the horrendous experience she had in her heart and planned to hide it forever. But past was hunting her down. They were inescapable. They're like thunder that will strike you not only ones. She had to face and confront it. Is she ready for it?

"They knew it from the very beginning. The real Winona was dead," she mumbled. Napalunok siya nang lalong dumilim ang tingin sa kanya nito. Is he worried now? Worried for Winona? The one he truly loved?

Umiwas siya nang tingin at naglakad patungo sa kabilang side. Hindi siya nag-abalang lumingon dahil ramdam niya ang prisensiya nito sa likuran niya.

"They are willing to adopt us both." Humarap siya rito. "I will remain as Jyra. And let them take Winona as she really belongs to this family. I hate seeing her being alone." Her voice faltered when tears escaped from her eyes.

Malik pulled her to bury on his chest.

Kahit pa isauli niya kay Winona ang karapatan nito at makuha ang titulong Vika. Hindi siya magtatanim ng sama ng loob dito. She loved her best friend. Itinuring niya na itong tunay na kapatid gaya ni Frank.

Sumisinghot siyang dumistansiya kay Malik. She even wiped her tears while laughing to herself. "I'm sorry. Ang babaw ko ba?"

Malik helped her removed her tears. "You've been through a lot of pain... From now on you'll never be alone."

Umuwang ang labi niya sa banayad na haplos ni Malik sa kanyang pisngi. Lalo sa mga nangungusap nitong mga mata. They were sending a huge volume of affection that she can't distinguish if it was really for her or for someone else.

Pinikit niya ang kanyang mga mata nang angkinin nito ang kanyang mga labi.

She will let him shows his truly sentient towards her. Today, she needed to hear it from him.

He cupped her face and pushed a deeper kissed. It was very addicting being kissed by the one you love. The man of your dream. His tender touches and addicting luscious lips were her fantasy in her wildest dream, and now it's truly happening. A soft moan escaped from her mouth when he bit his lower lip.

"I will never leave you, my baby," he whispered.

Parehas silang hinihingal. Magkadikit ang mga ilong at kapwa paghinga ang maririnig sa pagitan nila.

He kisses her nose, forehead and even to her knuckles. No more words, just a pure silent.

He cannot say his true feelings because the one he truly love was Winona. She's just a pitiful sister. A owes from his past.

Sabay silang lumingon dahil sa ingay nang pagbukas ng gate. Napadistansiya siya rito upang agad pumasok sa loob at salubungin si Shawn. Hindi niya kakayaning makasama ng matagal si Malik.

Being with him is a one hell of sin. Mali ang lahat ng ginagawa nila dahil hindi siya ang mahal nito. Hindi siya ang may-ari ng puso nito.