The whole day, I am not being myself. I've been so over protective kay Clyde at sa mga taong nasa paligid ko. I can't afford losing the person I love. Paulit-ulit lang ang panaginip ko, it's like a sign of my faith. Kumakain kami ni Clyde sa may sala when Agust appeared again, but this time, kasama na si Luke.

"Drei, you need to get out of here." sabi ni Luke.

"Bakit? What's going on?" Tanong ni Clyde.

"Your dad is-" Hindi na natuloy ang sasabihin ni Luke when we all heared the house's gate open. Lahat kami ay nagulat when it was...

"Well, well, well, what a nice house, Alexander." Sabi ni Mr. Santillian. Clyde's father. How did they know my house?

"What are you doing here?" Clyde asked his father.

"Ilang months ka ng hindi umuuwi ng bahay, hindi ka man lang nagpakita nung graduation mo. You are hiding from me, Clyde. At dahil yan sa pagsama mo sa lalaking yan!" Sabi ng tatay niya ng mataas na boses.

"Leave the house, now. Kung hindi, kakalimutan kong tatay kita at kakasuhan ka ng trespassing." Sabi ni Clyde. He held my hand dahil I was really shaking since his father arrived here, Inaalala ko sila mama at lola. It's a good thing that they're at the market now.

"Not until sumama ka na sa akin, at umuwi na tayo ng bahay. Then, I'll leave this house in peace." Sabi ng dad niya. But I know Clyde, masyadong mataas ang pride niya. When he says he will stay, he will stay.

"I don't think so, this is my home now. You can leave now." Sabi niya.

"This isn't your house, Clyde! Whether you like it or not, you will go home with me. Wala ka namang kadugo dito, I am your father!" He said.

"Hindi ko man bahay toh, but at least dito, I feel safe and sound. Hindi katulad sa bahay na inuuwian ko sayo, andun nga yung kadugo ko, pero siya din yung dahilan ng sakit at pagod na nadarama ko." Clyde said. He let go of my hand and went to his father with his head up. It's like he's willing to fight. For us.

"Ano ba ginawa sayo ng lalaking yan ha?! You are a Santillian! You will not disgrace us!" His father said.

Clyde left a chuckle before speaking, "Us? What do you mean about us?! All you think about is your reputation. And for your information, he is not JUST a man. He is the love of my life, my safest place and my love. And I will not let you disrespect him nor his family, in this house." My lover said. Nagsisigawan na sila dito sa may sala. Luke, Agust and I are just standing there like a mannequin. Walang kibo. The atmosphere in the living room is rising up, the two Santallians are not letting their pride go down.

The older Santillian was about to walk towards me but the younger one stopped him. The older one spoked, "Remember this Alexander, I will not let you two have a happily ever after. I am a Santillian after all,   you should expect the worst." He said before leaving. Nang nakalabas na sila ay nakaluwag na kami ng hiningang tatlo, bumaba na din yung galit na nakapaligid kanina dito sa sala.

I saw Clyde's fist closing at saktong malapit siya sa may pader, I quickly went to him. "Love, look at my eyes love." I said. Hindi siya tumitingin nung una so I repeated what I said at tumingin na siya.

"Breathe, mahal, breathe." I said. Alam kong susuntukin niya yung malapit na pader sa kanya dahil sa galit at inis niya. I don't want seeing him hurt. You can punch the wall but not on my watch, mahal.

"I-I'm sorry. N-natakot ka ba?" He said. My baby is stuttering.

"Hindi ako natakot." I said bravely. Kahit nanginginig na ako kanina, I am not scared.

"You're not? Why?" He said and looked at me.

"Kasi nandito ka. You're so brave kanina mahal, you made me brave." I said. He is my strength, and with him, I am braver.

Days passed and tuwing umaga at gabi ay nakakatanggap ako ng message sa isang unknown number, I have a feeling that it was one of the bodyguards of Clyde's father. Hindi ko na din sinabi kay Clyde because I don't want him to worry about me. Ilang days na lang ay pasko na kaya naman naghahanda na kami para icelebrate ito. We're currently at the grocery store kasama sila Mama at lola para bumili ng panghanda. 

"Love, are you okay?" He asked.

"Yes love," I responded. "Grabe ang taas na ng mga bilihin ngayon" I said as an excuse because his eyes are focusing on me. 

"Anak, may bibilhin ka pa ba? Mag check out na kami ng lola mo" Mama said. 

"Wala na po ma," I said at tinulungan ko na sila para maglagay ng mga pinamili sa counter. 

When we arrived home, tumunog ang phone ko at may message na naman galing sa unknown number. I checked it and the message says, "You have until Christmas to bring him back to me, Salvador. Or else, say bye-bye to your beloved life." I felt scared and my brain is not functioning well. Nakatulala lang ako sa sala when I heard someone knocking at our gate. I asked Clyde to open it for me dahil lately ay natatakot na ako sa mga tao sa surroundings ko. Except him, he's my haven. I looked at Clyde as he went back to our living room, revealing my friends at his back. 

"Sizzling!" Kale exclaimed. I hugged him tightly. Ilang araw na din kaming hindi nagkita ng kaibigan ko. 

"Alex," Sabi ni Shio at sumunod naman si Sergio. I hugged the three of them. This, this is my home before Clyde. My to go-to pips. 

Nagtimpla ako ng juice at nagluto naman ng pagkain si Clyde at  nag-usap kaming lahat na parang wala ng bukas. I don't know but I have this feeling na sooner or later, mawawala din tong memorya na toh.