Weeks have passed and it's almost the school's mid-year break. Sa weeks na yon lagi kaming kumakain ni Clyde secretly sa rooftop. Nakakahalata na din ang nga kaibigan namin dahil lagi kaming magkasama tuwing pababa sa rooftop. Kale asked once why magkasama kami ni Clyde but I told him na it was just a coincidence. I have to admit na sa bawat araw na magkasama kami ni Clyde, mas lalo akong nahuhulog sa kanya.

I don't want to hope na pwedeng maging kami pero, there's something about me that says na posibleng maging kami. I never lose hope kay Clyde, how I wish he knows how I want to spend my days, weeks and years with him. If he only knew how much I love him in every second, minute and hours. I didn't notice na I was gazing out na  pala and kanina pa ako tinatawag ni Mr. Alvarez. Buti na lang tinapik ni Sergio ang braso ko at napansin na tinatawag ako. 

"Mr. Salvador, you're gazing out na naman. Nakatulog ka ba nang maayos?" Tanong ni Mr. Alvarez.

"Y-yes sir," I lied. Hindi ako makatulog kagabi dahil baka biglang magkagulo ulit sa bahay nila Clyde at kailangan niya ako. I wanted to be with him. I want to give him an assurance na I meant what I promised to him at the rooftop, na I will protect him.

Mr. Alvarez continued lecturing for another hour. He is our English professor. Isa siya sa top professors ko this year, siya ang pangalawa kay Mr. Santiago. 

The school bell rang at nag-ayos na ako ng gamit ko dahil uwian na when Mr. Alonzo, Luke's father, entered the room together with the school principal. 

"Students, before you leave this classroom our board of director, Mr. Alonzo wants to share some good news with all of you. So please take your seat and listen carefully." Sabi ng principal. Umupo kaming lahat and started listening.

"Good afternoon everyone. I'll make a quick announcement  lang para makauwi na din kayo. So first, we will have our mid-year school break. Ibig sabihin all the students and teachers will have a six weeks break since we know na stressful ang college life. Second, habang bakasyon niyo ay pwede pa rin kayo pumunta sa school garden dahil ngayon, Mr. Santillian announced that the garden is now open publicly and not just for SU students anymore. It is also the graveyard of Mr. Santillian's wife. That's all and thank you." Mr. Alonzo explained. After non, umalis na sila at iba pang students. Sabay kaming lahat lumabas ng school para kumain ng tusok-tusok. When I mentioned 'kaming lahat' it means na kasama sila Clyde, Luke at Agust doon. Clyde and I's friends became really close after those past few weeks. But of course, lumalayo si Clyde sa amin dahil laging nakabantay ang mga bodyguards ng tatay niya. 

Pumasok na sila ng sasakyan after at umuwi na din kami. As usual, pumupunta muna ako sa palengke bago umuwi para tulungan sila mama. Pag-uwi ko ng bahay, chineck ko ang phone ko para i-message si Clyde.

Andito na ako sa cafe, buti na lang at konti lang ang tao. Magands tong cafe na toh kasi pwedeng ikaw mismo magtimpla ng kape mo para mabalance mo ang lasa. Umupo ako sa upuan na nakita ko at hinintay si Clyde. A few minutes later, nakita ko na si Clyde na kumakaway sa may bintana at tumakbo papasok sa loob. He was wearing a brownish blazer with a black cap.

"Nag-order ka na?" Tanong niya.

"No pa, hinihintay kita eh. Tayo kasi magtitimpla ng kape natin lods." Sabi ko at tumango lang. 

"Ako na mag-titimpla ng kape mo. Sweet ba sayo or medjo matapang?" Tanong niya ulit. Hindi ko maiwasang ngumiti.

"Both lods," Sabi ko at tumayo na siya at nagsimulang mag timpla ng kape namin.

After kong makipag-usap kay Kale, I turned my attention to Clyde who's still brewing his coffee. After niyang mag brew ng coffee, he sat down sa chair in front of me at nag-usap kami.

"So, do you have any plans para sa mid-year break?" Tanong ko. He sipped his coffee first before responding. 

"Actually, yes. I have so many plans with you." Sagot niya. You?! nabigla ako sa sinabi niya.

"Tama ba pangdinig ko?? You have plans with me?" I asked to be sure.

"Yes, Alex. Actually may sinulat na nga akong to-do list natin eh" Sabi niya. Tulala lang ako dahil I'm still processing what's happening right now. Hanggang sa naglabas siya ng paper with some boxes on it. 

"Here, check our to-do list. If may gusto kang idagdag o baguhin, just tell me. I'll give all my time to you." Sabi niya. Chineck ko ang papel and napatingin ako sa kanya sa unang nakalagay.

"Maghanap ng condo? Aalis ka na sa house niyo?" I asked na may pagtatakang mukha. 

"Yes. I want to spend my mid-year break with the people I love. Probably since break ko, dad would just bring me sa company at pag-aaralan ko kung paano ipatakbo ang kompanya. It's stressful and boring, Alex." He said while continuing drinking his coffee. 

"May malapit na dorm sa tapat na bahay namin. Maghahanap pa ako ng iba, baka di mo kayanin yung-" Hindi ko na natuloy ang sasabihin ko dahil nagsalita si Clyde. 

"Okay then, kukunin ko yung dorm sa tapat ng house niyo. Ayaw ko sa iba." Sabi niya and smiled.

"Clyde, masikip dun at uutusan ka ni Aling Susan doon. Hindi ka sanay sa ganong environment." Sabi ko with a worried face.

"Eh ano naman? I can do chores and kung hindi ako sanay, then sasanayin ko sarili ko. Alex, hindi ako spoiled brat. My mom also taught me how to do chores no." Sabi niya. Hindi ko na ata talaga toh mapipilit na humanap ng ibang dorm.

"Papayag ako if sasabihin mo why gusto mo dun. There's a lot of good dorms diyan eh, we can still canvas," Sabi ko at uminom ng kape dahil sa sobrang pagtataka ko.

"Alexander Myles Salvador, kung nasaan ka, gusto ko doon din ako. I want to live there because you are near there. With you, I have someone that inspires me to wake up in the morning or someone who will always remind me to smile. I can do chores or anything, basta nandoon ka." Sabi niya. Tahimik lang ako dahil deep inside, kinikilig ako sa mga salitang binigkas niya.

"Sige na nga, basta promise me you'll behave ah..." I said. I know Clyde can be a little bit messy pero responsible naman siya sa gamit niya.

"Okay! first box, checked!" Sabi niya habang chinecheck ang first box. The second box was 'go out often with alex my lods'.

"So, kailan natin sisimulan yung second box?" Tanong ko with a teasing smile.

"After kong maglipat, we'll go out. Together with our friends." He said and smiled. 

"Tiba you don't want them to know about us seeing each other?" Tanong ko.

"The only reason why I don't want them to see us is because I am protecting you and them kay dad. I always wanted them to see us being close to each other. Alex, ayaw kong mafeel mo na tinatago kita. In fact, I want to shout to the world na I have you by my side." Sabi niya at tumibok ng mabilis ang puso ko. Clyde Andrei Santillian, mahal kita. 

After a few hours, mag-uumaga na at umuwi na kaming dalawa dahil baka hanapin kami. Pagdating ko sa bahay ay hindi parin matanggal sa isip ko ang mga salitang binigkas niya tungkol sa akin. Hanggang sa di ko na namalayan na nakatulog na ako.