A/N: Because today's Valentine's Day, here's my sweet treat! Unfortunately, for the nth time, this isn't one of my regular updates. But I hope you would enjoy reading it!
LORELEI
— February 14 (Friday) —
I DON'T know what's so special about Valentine's Day in Clark High. Maglilipana lang naman ang mga rose, balloon, chocolate at teddy bear. There would be surprises for couples and almost couples. May mga magkakalat ng petals sa daan. May mga magpo-propose ng "Will you be my girlfriend?" sa gitna ng campus square.
I bet today's gonna be a competition on who has the coolest and grandest Valentine's Day gimmick.
Thanks to the student council, we don't have to wear our school uniforms today. I was supposed to wear red para makisama sa atmosphere ng Heart's Day, pero may susundin palang color coding. They wanted us to wear our "pag-ibig status."
Red — In a relationship
Green — It's complicated
Gray — Single and contented
Blue — Broken-hearted
Black — Bitter
Orange — Waiting for someone
White — Study first
Pink — Flirting
Yellow — Moving on
Brown — Friendzone
Dahil hindi nire-reflect ng "red" ang aking "relationship status," nagsuot na lang ako ng kulay "gray" na blouse. Pwede ring magsuot ako ng "white" dahil ipina-prioritize ko ang aking academics over everything else. Well, the only exemption was our club's activities. But I realized na mas mag-iiwan ng malakas na statement ang gray compared sa white.
Yes, I'm single and contented. I need no man to make me happy.
Hindi talaga mauubusan ng gimik ang student council. I wonder if Luthor had a say on the Valentine's Day plans. Hindi ko kasi ma-imagine na magpo-propose siya ng color-coding sa mga estudyante o magtayo ng marriage booths para sa mga couple na ikakasal kunwari.
For the QED Club, business as usual lang dapat kami today. Baka may kasong kumatok sa pinto namin. Someone might ask us to find out if her boyfriend's cheating on her or not. But what happened yesterday dragged us into something that Loki would call—and I quote—"Valentine's Day mess."
Let me tell you what happened.
— February 13 (Thursday) —
Before our afternoon classes were dismissed, nagpatawag ng meeting ang student executive committee sa iilang clubs. They called it an "urgent meeting." Baka may importanteng announcement, like club budget increase, so we felt that we needed to attend.
"Just text me the news..." Loki said, carrying his bag, "...or if they used the word 'urgent' in the proper context."
It's not a secret that Loki hated after-class meetings. Uwing-uwi na talaga siya. Alistair and I had to block the door so he couldn't escape. But Loki's so resourceful, he tried to escape through the window.
Through the window! From the third floor!
Apparently, he's been studying how to make use of the curtain as a makeshift rope to rappel down the building. I don't know kung iniisip niyang magagaya niya ang character ni Tom Cruise sa Mission Impossible or he's watching too much action movies (which I don't think so).
In the end, wala siyang nagawa kundi sumama sa amin. Ang kurtina na balak niyang gawing pantakas kanina, ginawa naming tali para hindi siya makaalis sa tabi namin. Kung kaming dalawa lang ni Jamie ang kasama niya, he would have tried other methods. But Alistair was with us, so he might be thinking twice on whether he'd try or not. He could try to run from us, but I wager my childhood friend would catch him. Loki's not athletic after all. Hihingalin agad siya kaya mahahabol siya ni Al.
"Thank you for coming," Margarette Fernandez, the execom chairwoman, greeted us after ten minutes of waiting for them. Kasama niya ang kanyang kanan kamay na si Rye na may kagat-kagat na lollipop stick. "I hope na hindi namin naistorbo ang afternoon schedule n'yo. Alam naming may ilan sa inyo na uwing-uwi."
Sinadyang umubo ni Loki. Jamie asked kung may sakit ba siya at gusto niyang magpa-excuse sa meeting. Me? I nudged him on the elbow.
"We've called for a meeting to discuss our Valentine's Day plan," Maggie went on. "As you all know, tomorrow's the most anticipated time of the year—the Heart's Day. And the student council wants to make tomorrow a memorable day for everyone."
"So this is what the urgent meeting is about?" Loki complained. "An event for people with grandoise delusions about romantic young love and a further devaluation of the word forever."
"Loki, isn't it easier to say that you are a bitter person than use words such as grandoise and devaluation?" Maggie retorted. Pinilit kong itago ang aking ngiti. "Ang dami-dami mong kuda, 'yon lang din naman ang ibig mong sabihin."
"For the record, I'm not a bitter—"
"Speaking of bitter, I hope na nabasa n'yo na ang guidelines para sa color-coding tomorrow," Maggie cut his words short. "I'd be expecting Loki to wear black tomorrow."
"You jest, but I prefer black over any other color," Loki replied. "Regardless of the meanings that society wants to make out of it."
"Whatever." Maggie averted her gaze to us. "At dahil nabanggit ni Loki ang kanyang ka-bitter-an, let me be clear that tomorrow isn't just going to be a day of romance, flirtations, and bitterness. Hindi lang puro harot na may halong charot. Wait, don't quote me. I was only quoting one of the student council officers.
I'm absolutely sure that Luthor didn't say any of those words. I can't imagine him saying harot and charot. If anything, he'd be against these celebrations.
"We want to take advantage of the Valentine's Day tomorrow para mag-raise ng sarili nating funds," Maggie continued. "Plano naming mag-donate sa mga kababayan nating nasalanta ng kalamidad. Aside from the donation drive, we're hoping that we'd generate funds through our gimmicks tomorrow."
"You could have told us that through text," Loki butt in. "Why did you need to summon us here?"
"Because one of the fund-raising activities involves most of you here." Maggie pushed the bridge of her eyeglasses. "We want your personal commitment to this project. Hindi namin magagawa 'to kung hindi kayo papayag."
"And what project are you talking about?" Alistair asked, raising his hand.
"We want to—sorry for the term—auction you off tomorrow," Maggie said. "Whoever offers the most money will get to spend the day with you as their boyfriend or girlfriend."
"WHAT?" This was the reaction of almost everyone in the room. Kaming taga-QED Club, nagkatinginan lang sa isa't isa. A few seconds later, biglang nagliwanag ang mukha ni Jamie. I think I know what she's thinking.
"Bale gusto n'yong ibenta kami para makapag-generate ng funds?" tanong ni Alistair nang humupa na ang bulungan. Pangit pakinggan ng "ibenta," but what's another way to put it?
"The auction fits perfectly with the Valentine's Day atmosphere," sagot ni Maggie. "Mapasasaya n'yo na nga ang isang tao, makatutulong pa kayo sa donation drive ng school. It's like hitting two birds with one stone."
"Teka, bakit kami ang napili n'yo?" tanong ng isang lalaki sa bandang likuran. "Paano kung walang mag-bid sa amin?"
"The student council and the execom voted on who among our club officers are marketable," tugon ni Maggie na may kasamang pagmuestra ng kamay. "Kaya nga pili lang kayong clubs na ipinatawag namin dito. At ang iba sa inyong nandito, hindi maisasama sa auction. Now let me read the roll. From the QED Club, Loki Mendez, Alistair Ravena and Jamie Santiago. From the Sewing Club..."
"What the—" Loki's jaw dropped. "How in the world did I become marketable? Hindi ako magtataka kung bakit nasama si Alistair. But me? Were the student council and execom high on drugs?"
Alistair blushed at what sounded like a compliment from Loki. "Well, you are our club president. I know that this isn't news to you, pero hindi lang sa looks naa-attract ang ilan. Your intelligence, the way you look at things differently—people might be attracted to those."
"Ano ka ba, Loki dear?" singit ni Jamie. "Kung ako nga na-attract sa 'yo, 'yong ibang tao pa kaya?"
"I strongly believe that someone rigged the voting to put my name among the choices," Loki muttered. "Someone who wants to spite me. We all know who that person is."
Here it goes again. Another episode of Why I Hate My Brother.
"I'm not really surprised na kasama ako sa mapagpipilian." May kaunting pagmamayabang ang tono ni Jamie. Tumingin siya sa akin. "But I'm surprised na hindi ka kasama, Lori. May problema yata sa mga mata ang hindi pumili sa 'yo."
"Mas gusto ko nga 'to, eh," sagot ko. I don't really want to be sold to the highest bidder and spend the day with him. I'm not also comfortable being with a person I do not know that well. Given what happened to me back in Manila... Jamie might think that this was some sort of injustice, but this was what I would have wanted anyway.
"We've excluded students who are already in a relationship. Baka kami pa ang maging reason ng break-up nila bukas," sabi ni Maggie matapos ang i-enumerate ang mga pangalan. Sunod siyang tumingin sa akin. "We've also excluded students who might not feel comfortable in the company of other people, given their history. Are there any questions?"
Loki's hand was first in the air. "Did my brother—or the vice president, rather—use any coercive measures to make members of the student council and execom put my name in the list?"
"Walang kinalaman ang vice president sa pagsali ng pangalan mo sa i-o-auction namin bukas," sagot ni Maggie. "In fact, he's opposed to the idea of including you. But we outvoted him and we live in a democracy, so he had no choice."
"So you voted for me?" Loki asked next.
Maggie nodded. "I was hesitant at first. Then I told myself, 'Let's see how Loki would struggle to spend the day with a complete stranger.' So I voted for you."
"That is power-tripping!" Loki argued.
"My vote is only one vote," Maggie replied. "The voting went through a democratic process. Majority voted for you. Aakusahan mo ba ang lahat na nampa-power-trip lang? I don't think so."
"What if we refuse to participate?" Loki wouldn't back down. I knew he'd ask that question. Susubukan niyang makalusot hangga't kaya niyang makalusot. "You can't force us to be part of your activity, that's why you need our consent right here and right now."
"We're appealing to your good conscience," Maggie spoke slowly. "For the sake of helping our fellow kababayans in need, we ask that you sacrifice a few hours of your time tomorrow to make not only one person, but make many people happy. Any more sensible questions?"
That answer's quite manipulative, I think? Kapag kasi tumanggi ka, pwedeng isipin ng mga tao na masyado kang maarte at ayaw mong maglaan ng kaunting oras para makatulong sa iba. I have a feeling that Luthor probably came up with that answer to make their prospects agree.
Sunod na nagtaas si Jamie ng kamay. "Can we also make bids in the auction? By 'we,' I'm referring to students who would also be auctioned off."
Maggie shook her head. "You'll be spending the day with one of the bidders."
Jamie clicked her tongue. I know what she's thinking. Balak niyang i-outbid ang ibang magbi-bid para makasama si Loki bukas. Sa tingin ko naman, hindi na kailangan 'yon. Lagi naman kaming magkakasama sa clubroom. But maybe, the Valentine's Day vibe might add another color to their time together.
"Any objections? None? Any questions? None? Then this meeting is adjourned."
— February 14 (Friday) —
Now back to present.
Ilang couples din ang nadaanan kong naka-red shirt at magka-holding hands pa habang naglalakad sa hallway. In ordinary days, I don't think they could publicly display their affection that much. Baka nga ipatawag sila sa guidance office. But today's a special day and all rules related to PDA have been seemingly suspended.
"Lori!" tawag sa akin ni Jamie pagtapak ko pa lang sa aming clubroom. Hindi ko pa naibababa ang bag ko sa upuan nang hilahin niya ako papasok. She locked the door and held me by the shoulders. She's wearing a red off-the-shoulder dress with matching scarlet lipstick. "Mabuti't nandito ka na! I'm worried na baka hindi kita maabutan!"
"Ano bang meron?" tanong ko sabay alis ng mga kamay niya sa balikat ko. Medyo mabigat, ah. "'Di ba't maaga ang call time n'yo? Bakit nandito ka pa?"
The call time's the reason why hindi kami sabay pumasok ni Loki ngayong umaga. Pagkagising ko, wala na siya sa apartment. Tita Martha told me that he hurriedly left before seven, mumbling some inaudible words (probably his rants). Nakasuot daw siya ng itim na shirt.
"Nagpaalam lang ako na pupunta sa washroom, pero kanina pa talaga kita hinihintay rito." Jamie's tone became serious. "Listen, Lori! We have to save my Loki dear!"
Kumunot ang noo ko. "Save him from what?"
"Save him from those who want to take advantage of him!" bahagyang lumakas ang boses niya. She looked seriously worried, I don't know if I should laugh or not. "Hindi naman siya isasali riyan sa auction kung walang may type sa kanya, 'di ba? What if he spends the day with the wrong person?"
I'm not really worried about Loki. I'm more worried about the unfortunate person who would outbid others in exchange of his company. Not everyone could tolerate the way he rants about everything. Baka nga asarin niya pa at maliitin kung sinuman ang makasama niya. Poor girl.
"Kung pwede lang akong mag-bid, ako na mismo ang gagawa," dagdag ni Jamie. "Pero dahil kasama ako sa auction at ikaw naman ay walang gagawin—wala ka namang gagawin, 'di ba?—I thought I should burden you with this responsibility."
"W-Wait. You want me to bid on your behalf? Seryoso ka ba?"
Paulit-ulit na tumango si Jamie. "Noong una nga, naisip ko na 'If it's not me, no one can date Loki!' But that's beyond my control already. Kaya umaasa ako sa 'yo. But before I fully trust you with this duty, may gusto lang akong linawin. Mula mismo sa bibig mo."
"Go ahead."
"Do you have any romantic feelings for my Loki dear?" Jamie asked.
"Jamie, you already know the answer, don't you? Loki is a friend to me. I treat him like a younger brother who likes to throw tantrums."
"Do you have any romantic feelings for my Loki dear?"
"You already heard me the first time. Loki is just a friend to me. Someone who happens to share the same apartment unit."
"Do you have any romantic feelings for my Loki dear?"
"Again, Loki is just a friend to me. Do I care about him? Yes. But that's because—"
"Why can't you categorically answer my question?" Jamie was annoyed. "Yes or no lang ang isasagot mo."
"No, I don't!" My reply was quick. "Happy?'
Muling nagliwanag ang mukha ni Jamie. Parang nabunutan siya ng tinik. Iniabot niya sa akin ang isang maliit na envelope. "Nandyan ang allowance ko for this week. I want you to use that money to outbid any competitor. Kahit maubos ang laman niyan, basta mailigtas mo si Loki dear. I'd rather have you, who have no romantic interest in him, spend the day with him than anyone else. Do you understand, Lori?"
"Uubusin mo talaga ang pera mo para sa bidding na 'to?"
"The auction is for a cause, remember?" she said. "Kahit maubos 'yan, okay lang sa akin. Alam ko namang may patutunguhan ang pera ko. Clear na ba tayo, Lori?"
She's putting me on the spot! "Y-Yes!"
"Do you promise to outbid everyone else?"
"Y-Yes!" That's the response she wanted to hear so I gave it to her. I might regret that answer later.
"Great! I'm counting on you, Lori! Don't disappoint me, okay? Kapag natalo ka sa bidding, friendship over na tayo."
Wow. Friendship over na agad? Jamie's taking the auction too seriously.
❤❤❤
Thirty minutes bago mag-start ang "Spend the Valentine's Day" auction, I called the only person who can give me a wise advice: Alistair. Alam kong nagpe-prepare din siya para sa auction, but I had no one to turn to.
"So Jamie asked you to win the bidding for Loki? Why wasn't I surprised?"
"You know how she's head over heel for him," sagot ko habang nagtitingin ng homemade chocolates sa isang sweets booth. The woman in charge was asking me kung may boyfriend na ako at naghahanap ng panregalo ngayong Valentine's. I repeatedly shook my head. "She's willing to spend P3,000 para masiguro na walang ibang mananalo sa bidding!"
"She's dead serious about it. And she entrusted you with that burden. Ano bang balak mong gawin?"
"She threatened na FO na raw kami kapag natalo ako sa bidding, but I don't think she'd really do that," sagot ko. May hawak naman akong teddy bear ngayon, tinitingnan kung maayos ang pagkakatahi. "She wanted me to save Loki from someone that isn't her... or me."
"We both know that Loki doesn't need saving."
Tumango ako. "Kung may kailangan mang i-save, 'yon ay kung sinuman ang mananalo sa bidding. Walang preno ang bibig ni Loki. I'm somehow worried na baka kung ano-ano ang sabihin niya sa makakasama niya. This might reflect badly on him."
"And on our club, if he cannot control his mouth from spewing insensitive words."
"Unfortunately, we can't ask people to not bid for him." Inaamoy ko ngayon ang mga rosas. Mukhang fresh pa. O baka naman bagong basa lang ng tubig.
"The only people who can keep up with him is the three of us in the club. Other might not take his bluntness well."
"'Yan na nga ang pinangangambahan ko."
"Given the situation, Jamie's method is probably the best option."
"What?" Muntik ko nang malaglag ang hawak kong rose.
"Listen. If you manage to outbid everyone, ikaw ang makakasama ni Loki ngayong araw. No one has to keep up with his ramblings except you. In that way, you can save anyone who thinks spending the Valentine's Day with Loki is a brilliant idea."
Alistair has a point. If I want to save anyone from the embarrassment, outbidding everyone is the answer. But—
"Lori, I have to hang up na. Pinapatawag na nila kami sa backstage. Loki's first in the line-up. Good luck on your quest."
Binabaan na niya ako ng tawag. From Jamie's "Saving Loki" operation, mukhang magiging "Saving Someone from Loki" ang mission ko ngayong Valentine's Day. I know that doesn't sound right—Loki isn't a bad guy after all—but who cares?
❤❤❤
The auction was one of the day's highlights. Ang mga interesadong magkaroon ng boyfriend o girlfriend for a day, nagtipon sa aming school gymnasium.
To my surprise, marami-rami rin pala ang umaasang makakasama ang mga ino-auction na estudyante. Was it just me or that didn't sound right? Para kasing nagbebenta ka ng mga alipin sa mayayamang negosyante noong 1800's.
Umupo ako sa harapan para agad makita ng dalawang host. It's strategic that I would be within their immediate line of sight. Baka taas ako nang taas ng kamay sa likod tapos hindi pala nila ako nakikita. I waited until they went on stage and gave some rehearsed introductions.
"Now who wants to have a date this Valentine's Day?" the female host said. Nagsigawan ng "Ako!" ang ilang estudyante na nasa likod. "Huwag na nating patagalin pa! Let's start with our first boyfriend-for-a-day!"
Nakita ko si Maggie na sumesenyas sa backstage. Since Loki's first in the line-up, mukhang nahihirapan silang parampahin siya sa entablado. Mabuti nga't hindi niya naisipang tumakas o huwag daluhin ang event na 'to. He could have done so, but he chose not to.
"Our first boyfriend-for-hire is the president of the—what's this? Is it 'ked' Club o 'kyu-i-di' Club?—Basta 'yong detective club natin!" the male host announced. "He's a high school detective and he has solved a number of cases here in Clark High. Obvious na matalino. Matinik sa mga kaso. Malay n'yo, baka sa mga babae, matinik din!"
"Do you wanna date a detective?" the female host added. "Now's your chance!"
Loki made an awkward entrance on the stage. Walang kasigla-sigla ang paglalakad niya at patingin-tingin pa sa likod na tila nagtatanong kung saan siya hihinto. He's wearing a crimson polo shirt over black pants. Mukhang pinatanggal sa kanya ang suot niyang itim na shirt. Nang lumapit siya sa harapan, I noticed na inayusan ang kanyang buhok. Nakabagsak pa rin ang kanyang bangs pero hindi na gano'n kagulo ang ayos nito.
"Please note that the proceeds of this auction will be donated to the victims of the recent calamity," the female host said. "Who wants to make a bid?"
May isang nagtaas ng kamay sa likod. Lahat kami'y napalingon sa kanya. "₱500!"
"₱500!" the male host repeated. "May gusto bang mag-bid nang mas mataas?"
"₱700!"
"₱850!"
"₱1,000!"
Loki was so bored on stage, he yawned without covering his mouth. In his mind, he must be thinking, "Look at these fools who are willing to waste money just for a date." Or maybe he's thinking about chocolates... or unicorns.
Let's get this over with. Itinaas ko na ang aking kamay at hinintay na matawag ng host. Loki looked surprised when he saw me stand.
"₱2,000!" I declared. Napa-Whoa! ang mga katabi ko. From ₱1,000, dinoble ko na ang aking bid para tapos na ang laban. Jamie gave me the permission to spend all her money to win. I hope na hindi niya pagsisihan 'yon mamaya.
"Si ateng naka-gray, single at contented daw pero nandito para humanap ng makaka-date!" biro ng lalaking host.
"Baka lang nataon na gray ang nasuot niya," dagdag ng female host. "May gusto pa bang mag-bid? Going once? Going twice?"
Sandaling nagkaroon ng katahimikan. Sobra na kasi ang ₱2,000 para magkaroon ng date. I doubt anyone would try to offer a higher bid than—
"₱2,200!"
I was surprised not only by the fact that someone would try to beat me in the bidding, but that the voice came from a man. It was eerily familiar. Nang mapalingon ako sa direksyon na pinanggalingan ng boses, guess who I saw?
"Stein Alberts," I muttered. He was smiling at me as if he's telling me telepathically, "I won't let you beat me."
Nagawi sa kanya ang tingin ng halos lahat ng mga pares ng mata rito sa gymnasium. They must not have expected a boy to make a bidding for another boy. I found it strange at first, but given his fascination at Loki, it shouldn't really be a surprise.
"Come on, guys! It's 2020!" Stein said.
I must admit, I got curious as to how a date between two mortal enemies would turn out. But I made a promise to myself and to Jamie that I wouldn't let anyone beat me in the bidding.
I raised my right hand. "₱2,300!"
"₱2,400!"
"₱2,500!"
"₱2,600!"
"₱2,700!" Mukhang kaming dalawa na lang ang nagbi-bid para kay Loki.
"₱3,000!" Stein shouted, his grin widened. Given his resources, kahit yata umabot ng ₱5,000, tatapatan niya ng bid.
Jamie's money is also ₱3,000. Dahil si Stein ang naunang nagbigay ng figure, mukhang siya na ang mananalo.
But I can't let that happen.
"₱4,000!" I shouted. Napa-Whoa! na naman ang mga katabi ko. Kailangan ko tuloy maglabas ng additional na ₱1,000 sakaling ako ang manalo.
Tumingin ako sa Stein na nakangiti pa rin sa akin. I was waiting for him to give a higher figure, but he remained silent and returned to his seat.
"₱4,000 is the last bid!" the male host said. "Going once? Going twice? Congratulations! You now have a date this Valentine's Day!"
The gymnasium erupted in applause. They asked me to come on stage, and I did. Nag-Ayie! ang crowd nang makatapak na ako sa entablado.
"What's your name, lucky girl?" the male host asked, pointing a mic at me.
"Uhm... Lorelei," I answered. Nang magawi ang tingin ko kay Loki na katabi ko na ngayon, I could see the confusion on his face.
"Lorelei, congratulations on winning a date with Loki Mendez," the female host said, shaking my hand. If they only knew na magkakilala kami at nasa iisang club, siguradong iintrigahin nila kami. "I hope na ma-enjoy n'yo ang araw na 'to."
"Remember na charot-charot lang 'to na may halong harot, ah?" the male host reminded me. "Huwag n'yong seryosohin. Baka ma-fall kayo tapos walang sumalo."
"Hay, masakit talaga 'yan, partner!"
Lumingon ako sa likuran. Napansin ko sina Jamie at Alistair na sumisilip at naka-thumbs up pa mula sa backstage. Maggie then asked them to not take a peek.
Mission accomplished, I guess?
❤❤❤
"You didn't have to do that," Loki said.
"Do what?" I asked.
For our "Valentine's date," we decided to eat in the street food stall among the booths in the campus square. As it happened, kilala ni Loki ang nagtitinda. Dahil tinulungan niya ito noon na matukoy kung sino ang customer na kumakain ng fishball pero 'di nagbabayad, we were given a discount. Um-order kami ng kwek-kwek. Some would call it "neon balls" or "egg waffle." Well, whatever floats their boat.
Since there's nothing romantic going on between us, Loki didn't bother to buy me roses, balloons, chocolates, or a teddy bear. I didn't mind. Ang kailangan lang naming gawin ay hintaying matapos ang "Spend the Valentine's Day" event. After that, uuwi na kami.
"I know when and how to behave," Loki said, eating one quail egg. "You must have been worried that I might act rudely in other people's company. I'm not a child anymore."
"No one's saying you're still a child." Isinawsaw ko muna sa suka ang itlog bago isinubo. "Question: Would you rather have me or Stein Alberts as your date?"
"I confess I'm curious as to how my date with that criminal mastermind will go." Loki had a faraway look in his eyes na parang ini-imagine nga niya. "It's gonna be more thrilling, that's for sure. I don't think he'll try to poison my food though."
Thanks to the mastermind's golden rule, no harm would ever come to him.
"However, I will be remiss if I don't tell you that I appreciate what you did," Loki said. "Back there. During the auction. You've saved me from embarrassment. I'm not used to this... sort of thing. Mingling with people. I may not act rudely, but I might act inappropriately in someone else's presence."
Napangiti lang ako sa sinabi niya. At least he acknowledged his own flaw.
"I'd rather be with someone I'm comfortable with than someone I don't personally know," Loki said. "Who knows? I might have dated a psychopath, if it wasn't you."
Now that's an exaggeration. "Alam mo, parang napapa-paranoid ka minsan. Were you really expect—"
"KYAAAAAAH!"
"Looks like someone needs our help." Ibinaba ni Loki ang hawak niyang bowl na may laman pang kwek-kwek. "Valentine's Day is not gonna be complete without a case."
Uminom muna ako matapos ubusin ang aking pagkain. "Let's go?"
It may have been a running gag already, but cases do follow us, even during Heart's Day.
q.e.d.
A/N: Again, I'm sorry for the lack of updates! I'm preparing for something BIG. I'll let you know in a few days or weeks. Stay tuned!