Kabanata 1

Summer

Life is indeed unpredictable. I once lived in a city and sheltered life. It never occurred to me that I am going to live in a province but surprisingly I am loving every bit of my province life. I love how the green scenery calms my mind every morning when I go for a jog. I love how the farm animals give me joy everytime I visit them. But then, I always miss my mom and dad. I am always that young girl who loves warm hugs and sweet kisses from them.

I closed my eyes and uttered a prayer for my parents.

After praying for their souls. I stood up and went outside the church. It's ten in the morning. My grandma and the family already attended the mass early at six in the morning. I decided to take the ten am mass since I woke up late.

"Helena!"

A girl is calling my name while waving her hand. She's with a group. There were five of them.

"Trixie."

"Hi! Uuwi ka na?" May giliw sa boses niyang tanong.

"Mamaya pa. Dadaan muna ako sa plaza para magtingin-tingin."

"Talaga? Doon din ang punta namin. Kilala mo naman siguro sila di ba?" Tanong niya. I looked at her companions and realized they are all my classmates in junior high. I didn't even say hi to them.

"Oo naman. Magka-klase tayong lahat, di ba?"

"Ayun! Hi!" Bati ng isang lalaki. Kung hindi ako nagkakamali, Vincent ang pangalan niya.

"Tahimik ka lang kasi sa klase at hindi masyadong nakikipag-usap. Akala namin, hindi mo kami kilala." sabi ni Myla na kasama rin nila. Siniko naman siya ng kanyang mga kasama.

"Uh, kilala ko naman kayo. I am just usually quiet in class." Sagot ko.

They nodded in agreement and went to the park with me. They were loud but they seemed fun. Sometimes they will incorporate me with their talks.

Masaya naman silang kasama kahit napakaingay nila. We tried a lot of street foods. Kahit cotton candy ay hindi namin pinalampas.

"Ang saya talaga kapag summer break. Nakakagala tayo at walang iniintinding assignments!" Bulalas ni Trixie. Tumango lang ako bilang pagsang-ayon sa sinabi niya.

"Kada-linggo ka ba dito Helena?" Tanong ni Vincent pagkaraan ng ilang saglit.

"Oo."

"Wow. Isang tanong, isang sagot." Komento ng isa pa naming kaklase na si Rose. I only laugh at her comment when I realized what she just said.

But then, napahinto ako sa pagtawa ng mapansing nakatingin lang sa akin. I blinked.

"Why? Is something wrong?"

Sabay silang umiling.

"Grabe, ang unfair talaga ng mundo. Pati ba naman sa pagtawa ay ang ganda-ganda mo? Siguro kahit sa pag-iyak mo ay maganda ka pa rin." Komento ni Myla. I only chuckles at her.

"Hindi nga. Alam mo bang halos lahat ng estudyante na lalaki ay may gusto sayo?" Biglang tanong ni Trixie.

"Hindi naman siguro."

"Totoo! Kahit ako nga may crush sayo eh." Biglang sabi ni Vincent.

"Boo!" Sigaw ng mga kasamahan namin. His eyes widened when he realized what he just said.

"Crush lang naman!" Depensa niya sa sarili. I didn't say anything. I don't want to invalidate his feelings but I also don't feel the same way.

"Kaya nga. Hanggang crush ka lang dito kay Helena kasi masyado siyang maganda. Hindi kayo bagay!" pang-aalaska ni Myla. Vincent only make a face at her.

Then, suddenly, they stopped teasing each other.

I was surprised when I felt someone's arm put behind my shoulders. I didn't move for a moment when I smelled the familiar scent.

"I'm back, Hera."

“Alexander!” Masayang bigkas ko sa kanyang pangalan. He's here!

I didn't even utter a word yet when he bid goodbye to my classmates. Alexander in flesh is back! It's been a year since I last saw him since he studied in Manila. The family decided to celebrate Christmas and New year outside the country last year, so he wasn't able to come home.

As we walk towards his car, I can feel the stares of the girls at him every time we pass them by.

"What are you doing here?" Tanong ko sa

“Sinusundo ang girlfriend ko.” sabi niya sabay ngisi.

“May girlfriend ka na? Sino?” Gulat kong tanong sa kanya.

“Hmmm. Helena Kiera is her name.” Nakakaloko niyang sabi.

“Tss! Bini-big time mo na naman ako!” Inis konh sabi sa kanya kaya hinampas ko tuloy. He chuckles and pulls me closer to him for an embrace.

"Pikon, but still the most beautiful girl I've known." He whispered.

"Liar. You have a lot of beautiful friends." Kontra ko sa kanya.

"You're the most beautiful. Hina ng comprehension." Dagdag niya sabay tawa.

"Annoying as always." Sabi ko sa kanya ng bitawan niya ako mula sa pagkakayakap.

"But still gwapo." Dagdag niya.

I only snorted as a response since he's not lying.

I thought we’re going home but we went straight to a beach. I looked at him in amazement. He playfully winked at me and said,

“This is my gift for your completion in junior high.”

“Thanks!” I exclaimed and immediately got out of his car.

“You love it?”

“Absolutely, yes!” May excitement sa boses kong sagot sa kanya. “I didn't even prepare anything to wear. I want to swim.”

“Who says you don't have anything to wear?” Nakataas kilay niyang tanong. Then, he motioned a paper bag inside his convertible car. My smile even grew wider.

“You're the best!” I give him a thumbs up.

“Tss. Ngayon mo lang na-realize?”

I grinned at him. He shook his head, acting a bit disappointed. I only give him a tongue out.

“I'm gonna change.” Bigay alam ko sa kanya pagkatapos kung kunin ang paper bag na dala niya. I went to a comfort room to change. The swimwear he brought is color black and it's a long type of rash guard. I find it comfortable.

Nagulat ako ng makita siya sa labas pabukas ko sa pintuan. Nakatayo siya sa gilid na wari ay hinihintay ang aking paglabas.

“Oh, bakit nandito ka?” Tanong ko sa kanya.

“I miss you badly that I want to be with you in a single moment of every time.” He answered. I blink because I was caught off guard of his words. He then holds my arm and we walk side by side to the shore.