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Pam's hand is cold as corpse. We both expect my parents and Ate Shas to welcome us in Church Tower. But to our surprise my whole family is waiting for us.

My brothers and in-laws. Si Elias lang ang wala.

"Mom, kailangan ba talaga kumpleto tayo para lang makinig sa pangaral niyo sa akin?"

They all look at Ate Shas' way. She shifted her weight on her seat that almost made Pam hide, if only I didn't held her hand tightly.

"Paalisin mo muna ang babae mo, Apollo."

"Ate! Don't call her that!" I immediately snap. Damn it. Kanina takot din ako sa ate ko pero ngayon kaya ko na naman siyang labanan. "She's my girlfriend for fuck's sake."

My confession earned a gasp as if it isn't obvious the way I hold my girl's hand.

"She's a girlfriend. Not a member of this family, Apollo," ate said deathly. "Paakyatin mo muna siya. May pag-uusapan tayong pamilya."

"Ate—

"Apollo, i—it's alright..." Pam pushes my hand away gently. "I'll wait upstairs."

I sigh and let her go. Yumuko siya sa mga magulang ko pati sa mga kapatid ko bago naglakad papunta sa elevator. I can't look while she go away with a heavy heart.

"Apollo—"

I didn't have time to hear ate's litany. Hinabol ko si Pam at bago pa siya makapasok sa employee's elevator ay hinila ko siya sa executive elevator. Gulat pa niya akong binalingan nang unahan ko siya sa pagpindot sa tamang palapag.


"Ihahatid kita."

"Alam ko naman paakyat."

I intertwined our fingers. "I know, Iubi. I just want to see you comfortable first. Nasa playground floor si Fourth kaya wala kang kasama sa taas."

Nilingon niya ang pamilya ko na nasa lobby pa rin. Tinulak ko na siya papasok ng elevator. "Don't mind my family. I'll deal with them."

I wanted to tell her I'm going to make her part of the family again so she doesn't have to go when there's family meeting. But I just can't now. This relationship is the best I can offer.


"You'll be fine here?" I asked after she settles on the sofa. Pinapasok ko siya sa kwarto pero ayaw niya. She said she'll wait here.


"Yes."

I sighed. "Feel free to roam around the tower if you're bored here. You still remember my code?"


"Uh, hindi na. Pero hindi na rin naman kailangan. I'll rest..." She tap the sofa that made me furrowed my brows.

Is she implying that she'll choose to sleep on the couch? Sa dami ng kwarto sa floor ko, may guest room din sa baba.

"Pam, don't be stubborn. If you want to rest go to inside the room. Kapag naabutan kitang natutulog dito sa sofa malalagot ka na."


"Apollo, it feels wrong..." She look at the floor, fidgeting her fingers on her lap. "I'm not welcome here. Aminin na natin."

I rake my hair to the back. Naiirita na naman ako pero kailangan kong kumalma. I don't want to pick a fight with my sister who helped me raise my son, but I can't leave my girlfriend upset like this.


"Just rest inside the room, iubi. We'll fly to Constanta after I talk to them."

"Apollo—

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