How to Break a Heart (To be published by LIB)

Forty-One

Arron

Things were better than normal between Allie and I. Naging mas malambing sa akin si Allie pero hindi ibig sabihin non ay hindi na kami nagbabangayan. We still argue and that's only one of the best parts whenever I'm with her. Hindi ako nagsasawang makipag-away sa kanya. Hindi ako nagsasawang galitin niya, especially when I get to see her pursed his lips and very expressive eyes. Para talaga siyang kuting na sinusubukang maging tigre kapag nagagalit.

She's sometimes gentle, minsan ay masungit siya. She's still the same Allie that I know-minus the lies and the pretentions.

Palagi akong pumupunta sa bahay nila, maganda ang pakikitungo sa akin ng mga magulang ni Allie-pati ang kapatid niyang si Robbie ay nakasundo ko lalo na at pagdating sa basketball. Dumadalaw rin si Allie sa bahay ni Mama kasama ako. My mom loves her like daughter, nakikita ko iyon at gumagaan ang dibdib ko sa tuwing nakikita ko na magkasama silang dalawa at magkasundo. My two favorite girls are getting along. Sinong hindi matutuwa?

Carmela is still rough with Allie pero alam kong nasasanay na rin siya dahil hindi na niya ito masyadong sinusungitan. She stopped attempting to kiss me in front of her too which can already be considered as an improvement.

My favorite part during my time with Allie is our night talks. Pinapayagan akong magsleep over sa bahay nila as long as we don't lock the door. I respect her parents and I respect Allie more kaya wala akong planong gawin ang bagay na labag sa loob niya. I would never do anything that is against her will.

"May ibibigay nga pala ako sa'yo." we were cuddling in the bed when she suddenly sat up.

"Sa akin?" she nodded and got off the bed. Umupo naman ako sa pagkakahiga ko at pinanuod ko si Allie na naglalakad papuntang drawer niya. I can't help but smile watching Allie. Pinapanood ko lang siya pero hindi ko mapigilan mapangiti. She's cute. She's beautiful and she's acting like she doesn't know it or maybe she just doesn't care-and that made her more attractive to me.

Hindi ko alam kung anong hawak-hawak niya dahil itinago niya iyon sa likuran niya. She was wiggling her eyebrows at me with a goofy smile on her face. It's also one of the reasons why I love her. She's not afraid to look silly. One of the reasons why I kept on falling in love with her over and over again.

"What's that?"

She jumped on the bed, still teasing me with her annoyingly wiggling eyebrows. The delay was really making me an impatient man, so I frowned.

"Dapat nung sa Vigan ko pa sa'yo 'to bibigay, but-" itinapat niya ang kamay niya sa harap ng mukha ko and I pursed my lips as I looked at the thing that she was holding.

"Bracelet?" isa siyang black braided leather bracelet. It was plain and that's what made it manly looking. Kinuha ko ito mula sa kamay niya at inobserbahan. May maliit na metal siya sa gitna with a random design. Wala siyang lock but you can pull the strings para humigpit ito at hindi maging loose sa wrist.

"I bought it in Vigan. Couple bracelets yan, see?" inangat niya ang isa niyang kamay para ipakita ang bracelet na hawak niya. It's the exact replica of the bracelet that I was holding pero may touch ng feminine ang kanya. "Sabi kasi nung babae, it'll keep us away from harm. Kaya kahit malayo tayo sa isa't isa-yung bracelet yung maggu-guide sa ating dalawa."

I nodded and immediately wore the bracelet that she gave me. Nanlaki naman ang mga mata niya. "No!" she shouted as she grabbed my hand but it was too late dahil naisuot ko na yun.

"What?" tanong ko dito.

"Ako dapat yung magsusuot sa'yo! Yun yung instructions sa akin nung babae!" she nagged at me. Sa itsura niya ay mukhang inis na inis siya. Hindi ko naman mapigilan ang sarili ko na mapatawa.