It had to be YOU.

9

NASA bahay sila ng mga Fontanilla that sunday morning. Akala niya'y ipapakilala na siya ng nobya sa mga magulang but then she said that her parents were at Greece that time at hindi pa alam kung kailan ang balik. She told her that Roevi's at Japan as well kaya hindi niya ito makikita ngayon doon. Instead, he met her younger sisters Sarah, Frannie and Nica. Pawang magaganda ang mga ito at masayahin pa. They all accepted him with their arms wide open.

Nasa sala siya at tumitingin ng albums nang mapansin ang isang picture. It was Roevi Patrice, their eldest sister, with his manager Kim. Mabuting kaibigan niya din si Kim dahil naging kaklase niya ito sa filmmaking noong nasa UP siya. He took up minor courses for that at nataong graduating naman si Kim.

"That's Ate Kim. Bestfriend ni Ate Patrice. They were bestfriends since they were kids."

Nangunot ang noo niya. Kim never told him about that. But that was her personal life kaya hindi na dapat siya makialam pa rito.

"Para na rin naming kapatid si Ate Kim. She's so sweet and nice. Siya pa mismo ang nagbigay sa akin ng mailing address mo sa I can send you notes and-- Oh my god."

Nanlaki ang mga mata niya sa narinig. She was sending her notes? So it means..

"It's you." He said a-matter-of-factly.

"So you think I'm a stalker now." He saw her pouted. She's really cute when she's doing that. Kaya pala hindi nagpapadala ang misteryosang fan niyang iyon dahil she was now his girlfriend!

"Ginayuma mo ako no?" Aniya habang nagpipigil ng tawa. Pinalo naman siya nito at pinanlakihan ng mata.

"Ang kapal mo, ha, Madrigal! Anong ginayuma ka diyan?!"

"You casted a spell on me the first time we saw each other at your shop."

"No! Of course not! Nahumaling ka lang sa ganda ko kaya nainlove ka sa'kin. Pero aminin mo, sa letters ko pa lang nainlove ka na 'no?" She was grinning from ear to ear.

"Hahaha! Very funny, Louisa. Hindi din." Umiling siyang kunyari para hindi mahalata. But yes. Sa letters pa lamang nito ay nainlove na siya sa dalaga. Nasa mind set na rin niyang hahanapin ang kung sinumang nagpapadala niyon pero nakilala nga niya ang dalaga sa Serendipitea.

"So hindi pala effective ang letters ko?" Tila nawalan naman ito ng gana at lumambong ang mukha. Nawala ang masayang aura nito at yumuko ng bahagya.

He stretched his arms to her and called her, "Come here, babe."

Dahan dahang lumapit ito sa kanya at saka yumakap ng mahigpit.

"Stalker or not, it will always be you. At least nalaman kong iisa lang kayo. Alam mo bang handa akong hanapin ang babaeng nagpapadala sakin nun? Liligawan ko sana."

Pinalo na naman siya nito sa may dibdib at narinig niya itong tumawa. "Ang kapal mo talaga. Asa ka pa no!"

Then they both ended up laughing at the living room.

LOUISE was reading a magazine when Rohann called her attention. "Babe, can you answer the fax? Madumi pa mga kamay ko eh." Her boyfriend's in the kitchen, cooking something for their dinner. Siya na dapat ang magluluto but then he insisted. Isang minuto na ding tumutunog ang fax machine kaya sinagot na niya iyon. It was from his sister, Jen. Nakatayo siya sa tapat ng fax machine, not knowing that what the fax is would be the biggest shock of her life.

"No, this isn't true." Mataman siyang nakatitig sa papel. It says, "Kuya, you need to go home now. Pinapaalala ni daddy yung engagement party mo. It's four days from now." And now she's crying. She felt her knees weaken and sat down the couch. She was trembling inside out. How did this happen? Rohann said he loves her and yet what's this? He's engaged?!

Naramdaman niyang lumabas si Rohann mula sa kusina at nilapitan siya. Hindi agad nito napansin na umiiyak siya dahil nakatalikod siya mula sa pinanggalingan nito.

"Hey babe, dinner's almost ready. Are you hung-- Louise? Are you crying?"

"Are you engaged?" She saw shock in his eyes. Tila bumaba ang lahat ng dugo nito sa mukha. Nakita niyang nag.iwas ito ng tingin sa kanya.

"Rohann, are you engaged?" She asked again. Hindi pa rin ito kumibo. "Answer me, dammit! Are you engaged?!"

He nodded silently.

Hindi na niya napigilan ang sarili at saka pinaghahampas ang dibdib nito.

"You jerk! Why did you do this to me?! You said you love me and this! Rohann ano bang ginawa ko sa'yo?! I only loved you! I don't deserve this kind of bullshit! You're engaged to be married and yet you kept on saying you love me! Liar! You're the greatest liar I've ever met!!" Hindi na niya napigilan ang sarili. She broke down into tears. Napaupo siya sa sahig at humagulgol na parang bata. Tila siya naubusan ng lakas sa mga nalaman niya. She love him. Love him to the core. Pero hindi niya akalaing magagawa nito sa kanya ang ganung bagay.