DATE THY ENEMY | ES:1

EPILOGUE (Part 2 of 2)

We were able to talk about it again that night. She bared everything to me and I love her even more.

Vernaise is worried that once her grandfather knew about us, he'd tie us instantly into marriage. Gusto ko sanang sabihin sa kanya na wala namang problema sa'kin kung ikakasal na kami, but then she prefers it when she's already twenty-five. Wala naman sa'king problema ang paghihintay. Basta ba't sigurado siya. Dahil ako, siguradong-sigurado akong magpapakasal ako sa kanya.

''You don't have to worry about anything.'' I assured her. ''Nothing will happen, I promise you that.''

She let out a soft smile. ''I trust you.''

Vernaise knew the feud between our families. Alam niya ang tungkol kay Juan Franco, sa mga nangyari sa Sarmiento at Montecarlo dahil lamang sa galit ng isang De Leon. She told me how she was scared that another tragedy might happen just because of our love. I told her there will be no tragedies, but no matter how I assured her, I can still feel her fear lingering.

Vernaise values her family so much. Alam ko. Alam ko na kung may mangyari sa pamilya niya, hindi niya ako mapapatawad at maaring iwan niya ako. I know how she can easily leave me just to protect her family. Ayaw niyang malaman ng pamilya niya dahil pag nangyari iyon, ang kanyang lolo ay agad na tutungo sa aming bahay, na maaring pagsimulan nang mga bagay na hindi inaasahan.

NAKABALIK NA AKO SA MAYNILA, habang nag-aaral naman si Vernaise sa Santa Monica. We continue to communicate like usual. Pero may mga araw na abala siya kaya minsan tumatawag ako kay Erik para makibalita.

''How's Vernaise?''

''Ay gago! Akala ko tumawag ka dahil na miss mo 'ko.'' Tawa niya sa kabilang linya. ''Nakakasakit ka naman ng feelings, babe.''

Napailing na lamang ako sa kaibigan. ''Vernaise is busy with school, and I don't wanna disturb her. But I want to know how she's doing.''

''Bakit 'di mo itanong kay Rhys, sila naman lagi nina Solenn ang magkakasama.'' aniya, parang hindi na interesado nang malaman hindi siya ang kinumusta ko.

''Rhys used to like her so I couldn't ask him directly.''

''Ay, putangina! Totoo?!'' Ilang mura pa ang narinig ko. ''Gago ka, huwag kang magbiro ng ganyan!''

I did not say anything. It's impossible he did not notice. Even Jakob noticed it.

''Gago, totoo nga?!''

''Tss.''

''Aw, yari ka pare kung hindi sa'yo nakatuon ang mga mata ni Vernaise!'' Humalakhak si Erik. ''You know Rhys, he's kind and soft. And your girlfriend is a softie too, when it comes to him. He'd be your biggest competition, kung sakali. Dapat kang magpasalamat araw-araw!''

Vernaise is always soft to everyone she knows. Mataray siya at medyo mabangis sa hindi. Pero malambing sa mga malapit sa kanya. That's why I don't know if I'm just too confident, pero hindi naman ako nangamba sa pinsan. Even before I already noticed his fondness of her. But he did not make any move or anything, like he already knew, how I see Vernaise, too.

She also said that she only saw Rhys as her older brother. And that's what kept my cousin away from liking her even more.

''Anyway, she's doing great. Lagi lang naman sila sa library nakatambay. She said that she wanted to beat your scores and academic standing before, kaya nag-aaral siya nang mabuti. She's a dean-lister, by the way. Did you know about that?''

My lips pursed a bit and couldn't help not to let out a soft chuckle. My baby's that competitive, huh?

''Yeah, she already told me.'' I can't help not to get proud too.