[u][b]Chapter 12[/b][/u] Nung pauwi na kami ni Rhys (nauna na si Vincent eh), he asked me what was wrong daw kanina. I walked faster ahead of him. Bigla niya namang hinawakan ang braso ko. "May nangyayari ba sa iyo na hindi ko alam?" He asked firmly. His eyes were fixed on me searching for answers sa tanong niya. "Yana.." "Wala." sabi ko ng pabulong at umiwas ng tingin. "Wala. Wala." Huminga siya ng malalim at binitiwan ang braso ko. "Ayoko ng nagsisinungaling ka. It's not YOU, Yana." He looked at me again. "Ano ba talaga ang nangyayari?" I looked at him straight in the eyes. "Wala, Rhys. Wala." Then I smiled softly. He smiled back yet there was something in that smile that never assured me. He knows what's happening and what's going to happen. Pumasok ako ng bahat at dumiretso sa kwarto. Dad made clear na bawal akong gumamit ng internet, telephone and cellphone. Bawal din lumabas pag hindi si Vincent or si Bea ang kasama. Wow, para akong anak ng presidente! And thanks to Dad for making me feel like the "first-daughter". Ugh. SATURDAY January 25, 2008. 2 days more to go and its Rhys' birthday! May usapan kami ni Rhys na lalabas kami ngayon kasi may pasok na bukas, pero hindi ko alam kung papano ako makakalabas. Until Vincent came to my rescue. "Goodmorning tito." Nabigla ako ng makita ko si Vincent sa bahay. "Oh, Vincent!" sabi ni Dad. "Naparito ka?" I smiled at Vincent. "Hi.. Yana." Then he looked back at Dad. "Hmm.. gusto ko po sanang humingi ng permiso if I can take Yana out of the house tomorrow?" Dad looked at him suspiciously. "Is this somekind of a setup? Alam niyo na-" "No, Tito. Ako lang po talaga at si Yana." I looked at him suspiciously too. What is he up to? "San naman kayo pupunta?" "Malling lang po. I'll just treat her to lunch. Ibabalik ko rin naman kaagad siya dito." He smiled. "Then.. okay." Dad agreed. I looked at him. "I have trust in you, young man." He stood up and went inside. Napatingin ako kay Vincent. "Ano?" "Ayos lang ba?" "Well.." Geez. Mag-isip ka nga Yana. Tamang-tama lang ito. I know it would be really selfish of me to use him.. but the idea is so inviting. That's the only way na makakalabas ako tomorrow without Dad being "bodyguard" mode. I know Vince will understand. "I don't know.. Dad agreed na e." "No, it's alright with me kung ayaw mo." "Nahh. It's alright." "Okay then, I'll just see you tomorrow at the mall." "Yeah sure." I smiled. [hr] SUNDAY PM When Manong Fred dropped me off at the mall, late na ako ng 15 mins sa usapan namin ni Rhys. I ran as fast as I could to where Vince was waiting for me. "Vincent!" I smiled to him. "Yana.. buti nakarating ka." He smiled back. Nakakaguilty pero I just have to do this. "Can we split ways?" "What? Anong ibig mong sabihin?" "Honestly, magkikita kami ni Rhys ngayon.. and-" "Y-you made me an excuse para makalabas ka ng bahay niyo?" "Y-yeah. Sorry." "It's alright." He smiled bitterly. "Sige, you can go." [hr] Habang tumatakbo ako palabas ng mall at sumakay ng FX, bigla akong napaisip. Wait, am I betraying my own father? Hindi ko naman ito ginagawa dati diba? But why am I doing this all now? Because of my love for Rhys? Is he worth this all? Is our love worth this betrayal to my Dad? "Rhys." He stood up and smiled at me. And when I saw his smile, I knew then and there that this is worth it all. "Geez. I thought di ka na makakarating." He grinned. "Pwede ba yun?" I smiled. He held my hands and we walked further. "San tayo pupunta?" "Surprise." He grinned. "Hindi ba dapat ako ang may surprise sa iyo? It's your birthday." I smiled. "Hmm.. bukas nalang yang surprise mo. For now, akin muna." He winked. "Geez." [hr] Pumunta kami ng Baywalk at dun narin kumain. Then suddenly, tumayo siya at kinuha yung microphone sa banda na tumutugtog. "Err.. good evening everyone." He smiled nervously. Geez. What are you doing? Napatingin lang ako kay Rhys - ready to laugh out loud. "Hmm.. tomorrow's my birthday. And I'm here with my girlfriend. And.. I just want to assure her that I love her so much. So.. here's a song for her..." The audience reacted 'Awwww.. sa kanya lang?' He chuckled. "-And for everyone too." We were as one, babe For a moment in time And it seemed everlasting That you would always be mine Now you want to be free, yeah So I'm letting you fly 'cause I know in my heart, babe Our love will never die, no You'll always be a part of me I'm part of you indefinitely Girl, don't you know you can't escape me Ooh darling, 'cause you'll always be my baby And we'll linger on Time can't erase a feeling this strong No way, you're never gonna shake me Ooh darling, 'cause you'll always be my baby I ain't gonna cry, no And I won't beg you to stay If you're determined to leave, girl I will not stand in your way But inevitably, You'll be back again 'Cause you know in your heart, babe Our love will never end, no You'll always be a part of me I'm part of you indefinitely Girl, don't you know you can't escape me Ooh darling, 'cause you'll always be my baby And we'll linger on Time can't erase a feeling this strong No way, you're never gonna shake me Ooh darling, 'cause you'll always be my baby I know that you'll be back, girl When your days and your nights get a little bit colder, oh, oh I know that you'll be right back, baby Oh baby, believe me, it's only a matter of time You'll always be a part of me I'm part of you indefinitely Girl, don't you know you can't escape me Ooh darling, 'cause you'll always be my baby And we'll linger on Time can't erase a feeling this strong No way, you're never gonna shake me Ooh darling, 'cause you'll always be my, my baby (You'll always be a part of me) You will always be (I'm part of you indefinitely (Girl, don't you know you can't escape me) Ooh darling, 'cause you'll always be my baby (And we'll linger on) We will linger on (Time can't erase a feeling this strong (No way, you're never gonna shake me (Ooh darling, 'cause you'll always be my baby) Always be my baby... [i]Geez. He's really worth this all. I smiled to myself.[/i]