Chapter 1

AQUA 

“Eline! I will find you, sister!” 

Sumisinghap ng hangin akong napaupo sa aking kama at hingal na tumingin sa paligid. My eyes were wide open and still gasping for air. I dreamed of it, again. 

I can always see that scenario in my head since I was 5. I never told my parents because something’s telling me not to. I just found myself not trusting anyone since the day that I lost my memories. 

When I was six, I woke up in a white room. Everything was white and only then when I realized that I was in the hospital. 

I was hit by a car while playing with someone I cannot recall. And because of that, we went abroad. Pero ngayon ay nasa pinas na ulit kami dahil nandito talaga ang business ng aming pamilya. 

I’m not used to speaking FilMed, but I can speak a little. Nagpapabalik-balik din naman kasi kami rito. Sometimes I speak conyo. 

Wala lang. It’s fun kasi. 

I shook my head and gaped around my room. Parang barbie ang theme dahil kulay pink ang makikita sa paligid. Samantalang blue naman ang theme sa kwarto ng cousin ko. 

Weird, right? My name corresponds to water, yet my room says otherwise. Parang hindi naman talaga sa akin ang name na ‘to. It’s like meant for someone else一 my cousin. 

I heard a knock on my door which brought me back to my senses, “Miss Aqua? The lady is summoning you.” 

“Affirmative!” I shouted. 

I jumped off my bed and went to the bathroom inside my room. Well, my room is big. It has a walk-in closet, gym, mini library, bathroom, and a mini lounge. 

I fixed myself and went to the dining hall. Sabay kaming kumakain sa umaga at gabi. My parents are strict, that’s why. 

Kailangan pormal ka palagi and observing proper etiquette. Kapag nagkamali ka, you’ll be punished. And believe me, you wouldn’t want to know what the punishment is. 

I arrived and bowed my head and sat on my usual chair. Right after sitting ay sunod na dumating si Hazel. She lives with us because she doesn’t have parents. 

Tahimik kaming nag-umpisang kumain nang tumikhim si Moma. Saying the word Moma tastes so bitter. Don't ask. I definitely don’t have an answer to that. 

I hate her. She’s my mother, yes. But she’s never been a mother to me. Mas itinuturing pa niyang anak si Hazel. 

But the surprising thing is, I don’t give a damn. It was never an issue for me. I just don’t like being controlled. 

“Today is your first day as freshmen students, dear daughters. I hope you’ll behave well, hm? Kung ayaw niyong ipatapon ulit sa America.” she said as her lips formed a smile. 

A disgusting smile. 

Some of you may think that I’m lucky because of the privilege and wealth my family has. But I cannot even recall when I last felt that this is a family. 

It was never a home for me. 

“Yes, mother.” Hazel and I said in unison. 

I sighed and looked at the gate in front of me. New school, huh? University of Saika. What a nice name. Hindi ko kasama si Hazel dahil magkaibang van ang sinasakyan namin. And besides, we can’t stand each other. 

Puro sama ng loob ang mayroon sa pamilya ko. Tss. Iiling-iling na naglakad ako papasok sa University. At dahil sa sobrang pag-iisip ay namalayan ko nalang na may nabangga na pala ako. 

“Ow!” daing niya. Tiningnan ko ito and she’s rubbing her head because of the impact. 

“I’m sorry, miss!” I apologized immediately. 

Tiningala ako nito at bahagyang nanlaki ang mga mata nang masilayan ako. Huh? Now what? Umiling lang ito at ngumiti ng bahagya. 

“It’s okay. I wasn’t looking din kasi,” she said shyly. 

I find it cute though. “Uh, do you mind if I walk with you?” alok ko.

It’s good that I bumped into someone dahil hindi ko pa kabisado ang lugar. Mukha kasing alam na alam niya rito. 

“Sure! I’m Sheena, by the way.” pakilala nito na siyang tinanguan ko lamang. 

“Aqua,” maikling sagot ko. 

Nagsimula na kaming maglakad habang dumadaldal siya. Akala ko pa naman we’ll have a peaceful walk. She literally looked so shy earlier and now she’s blabbering so many things that does not concern me. At all. 

But then, her kadaldalan is very beneficial to me. Akalain mong nasabi na niya halos lahat ng dapat kong malaman about the school. I guess she’s smart naman pala. May ibubuga kumbaga. 

Nalaman ko rin na magkaklase pala kaming dalawa and matagal na siya sa unibersidad na ‘to. Mabuti naman kung gano’n para may kasama ako. I’m starting to consider her as my friend. She’s very jolly. 

Komportable rin ako sakanya kahit na nauumay ako sa kadaldalan niya. Siguro kasi walang maingay sa house namin. Nang makarating kami sa classroom ay pumwesto na kami but I was surprised when she didn’t sit beside me. 

“Why?” I asked. 

“It’s a rule. Bawal mag-tabi ang babae at babae and same goes for men.” aniya. 

“I see,” tumatangong saad ko. 

It’s weird, huh? Wala namang ganitong rule sa America. I mean, what’s the point? I shook it off my head and took out my notebook. 

I’m trying to be a good student. And I want to take notes as much as possible. I tend to forget things when I get too busy. That’s why I have a journal or planner. 

The class was about to start and I looked around only to find the seat beside me available. Absent ang katabi ko sa first day? Uh, that’s not nice. 

Nag simula na nga ang klase at siyempre hindi mawawala ang introduce yourself. I don’t mind. I’m used to it naman. 

“Aqualyn Jillian Ferrer,” I said. 

“That’s it?” the teacher asked. What else should I say aside from my name, then?

“Hobbies, nickname, and why did you enroll in this course?” I was about to answer when…

The door was opened loudly and a girl entered the room. She’s wearing a make up? Uh, no. Eyeliner dahil sobrang itim ng paligid ng mata niya. 

Badass. 

Tumigil ito sa harap ko at sinenyasan ako na umalis. At first hindi ko pa naintindihan, but she grabbed my arm and pushed me. 

I had no choice but to go to my seat. 

“Karen Choi is the name. Do remember and stay out of my way.”