Den's POV

I saw Aly earlier sa music room, mukhang maaga siyang nakarating ng campus. Nag hi lang ako sakanya dahil male-late na ako, siya? Sabi niya mag skip siya ngayon because of music club, partner daw kasi sila ni Yeye para sa monthly evaluation nila later.

Alam niyo naisip ko? Diba his Dad is influential here, tapos sabi ni Vic ayaw ng Dad niya na tumutugtog siya ng piano, siguro alam talaga ng Dad niya, maybe he's keeping an eye on him. Tapos one day, isusurprise niya sa music room or performance si Aly. Ibang surprise ha? Surprise motherfucker with slap ganon. Or another theory, Aly settled things with Dean Morales. Siguro kinasabwat niya si Dean.

"Hindi bagay sayo nag iisip ng malalim." Napatingin ako don sa nagsalita.

Nandito kasi ako ngayon sa caf, si Ella di ko maintindihan yung babae na yon. May extra curricular daw siya ngayon. So, naiwan akong mag-isa.

"Anong ginagawa mo dito?"

"Here." Sabi niya at inabot sa akin yung parang ticket.

"Ano 'to?"

"Ticket."

"Anong gagawin ko dito?"

"Kakainin."

"Aly?!" Saway ko sakanya.

"Watch later?"

"H-ha?"

"I said, watch our performance later. Need ng ticket para sa mga gusto manood so ikinuha kita." He explained.

Hinawakan ko naman yung noo niya para i-check kung may sakit ba siya? I felt him froze on his spot.

"Stop it." Sabi niya.

"Sorry. Anyway, thank you for this! Manonood ako later. Gusto kita makita magperform." I said.

"Whatever." Sagot niya naman at tumayo na.

"Saan ka pupunta?" Tanong ko.

Tinignan niya lang ako at di nagsalita tapos naglakad na. Sinundan ko naman siya hanggang makarating kami sa music room. Naupo ako at pinagmasdan siya. Nakatanaw lang siya sa bintana.

"I'm curious." I started.

"As always." He said.

Nag start ako magsalita at ikwento sakanya yung theory na naisip ko kanina. I know nakuha ko yung attention niya.

"So, which one is correct?"

"You're both wrong."

"Ha?!"

"My dad never stopped me from playing piano. It's just me who decided to stop."

"Eh I oeverheard you one time talking to him. You're saying na hindi ka tumutugtog."

"You eavesdrop." He corrected.

Inirapan ko naman siya.

"So, ano nga? Bakit?"

"Dennise. Because, the one who taught me how to play is my father and I hate it. When my parents decided to end things, I started to hate him. He loves to see me play piano, he even have plans for me but I hate him so I stopped. Remember when you asked me why I play sad songs? I told you I was saying sorry. I'm saying sorry with my younger self. That he had to experience those things, I'm sorry that he was forced to grow up, to be mature, not to enjoy things that other kids enjoyed, and sorry for killing his dreams, dreams to play piano and perform infront of the crowd." He said.

I can see the sadness in his eyes. Bago 'to, he showed another emotion in front of me. That first one was scared and now, it's sadness. When will I see you smile genuinely? When will I see you happy?

"Hug me." He demanded.

Nanlaki naman yung mata ko sa sinabi niya, tama ba ako ng narinig? Nevermind, tumayo ako at lumapit sakanya, tinitigan ko muna siya then there, I saw him scared again. I hugged him, tighter than the previous hug that I gave him when his dad slapped him.

"Why does it feel good?" He asked.

"Because, it's hugs. Everybody needs a hug." I said.

"Will you give me hugs everytime I ask it?"

"You know? You're like a kid. Of course, I'll give you hugs." I said.

"I'm scared.."

"Why are you scared? What are you scared of?"

"This... You.. you're the only one who pursued me nonstop kahit na ang hirap kong intindihin. And it's making me scared because I'm letting you in." He said.

"At your own pace, Ly alam kong crush mo 'ko."

"Shut up." He said.

I chuckled with the way he answered. Another reason why I like hugging him is because ang bango-bango niya. Anyway, I think this is another progress. Aly asking for a hug.