Maaga akong nagising dahil ngayon ang island hopping namin nina Trixie. It is still six in the morning and I am ready to go. I am waiting for Trixie and Dmitri to fetch me and Rico here in the mansion. Nasabihan ko na si Tita Alexandria tungkol sa lakad ko ngayon. Gusto sanang sumama ni Sofia pero masyado daw maaga ang call time. Ayaw niyang gumising ng ganito kaaga kaya hindi na siya sumama.Nakita ko si Rico na naglalakad palapit sa portico ng mansion kung saan ako nakaupo habang naghihintay. May dala siyang duffel bag.“Good morning, Helena.” bati niya. “Good morning, Rico.” nakangiti kong bati sa kanya.Umupo siya sa ika-dalawang hagdan ng portico at hinintay namin ang pagdating ng dalawa. I close my eyes and feel the cool breeze of the air. This is how I like it in the morning. I looked at the mountains in front of the mansion. I am enjoying the changes in the color of the sky in front of me as the sun starts to rise. I took my phone and captured its mesmerizing beauty.Right a
I looked at my phone in my hand, still processing the conversation I had with Alexander even if it was just brief. Tinanong niya na lang kung nasaan ako at kung sino ang kasama ko. Pagkatapos ko siyang sagutin ay kaagad siyang nagpaalam. For some, it may be a nonsense conversation but for me, it’s a lot. It means a lot to me. Because of that call, I can say that he still cares for me. And just like that, my worries for him that he might have forgotten about me vanished in thin air. Sa simpleng tawag niya ay naging panatag ang aking kalooban.Bumalik ako sa aming mesa na may kakaibang sigla. Trixie looked at me weirdly. I only smiled at her and put brocolli on her mouth.“Hey!” angal niya. I laughed at her. Napilitan siyang kainin ang gulay na nilagay ko sa kanyang bibig. Rico and Dmitri laughed at her reaction. She doesn’t like vegetables in general.Kinagabihan ay nagpasya kaming sumali sa mga nagka-campfire sa dalampasigan. Halos mga ka-edad lang din naman ang kadalasan sa mga ito.
“Helena Kiera Sue Montes, Cum laude!”Nagsigawan at nagpalakpakan ang aking mga ka-departamento ng tinawag na ako upang umakyat sa stage at tanggapin ang medal at diploma. This is it!Nagkataon na sabay ang graduation naming tatlo nina Meg at Elle. Tita and Tito attended them together with Sofia who wanted to stay with me to join me in the graduation ceremony. Na-appreciate ko ang gusto niyang mangyari pero sinabihan ko siyang dumalo sa graduation ng kanyang mga kapatid dahil hindi man sabihin ng dalawa ay alam kong gusto nilang kompleto silang pamilya. They were going to celebrate at their mansion in Metro Manila because most of their relatives and friends lived there. Tita told me that we are going to celebrate it with the mansion too when they went home, together with all the ranch workers.“Congratulations!”The deans in different departments congratulated and shook hands with me and also the university president. They were all on stage, lined up to congratulate the graduates.“Th
I slowly turned around my heart pounding like crazy with anticipation. This can’t be him, right? He’s in Canada! Hindi ako makapaniwala na tumitig sa mukha ni Alexander na nasa harapan ko na ngayon. He’s holding a huge bouquet. I pinched my arm and I could feel the sharp pain. He’s real! Without thinking more, I went to him and hugged him as tight as I could. I missed him so much! No words could explain how I am feeling right now. “Congratulations, baby,” he whispered and hugged me using his left hand. His other hand is holding the bouquet.Tumingala ako sa kanya. He cleaned his stubbles and he looked so handsome with his new haircut. I noticed how his broad shoulders have become more defined now. He is wearing a white dress shirt and black pants. He looked amazing. Para siyang bituin na nagniningning sa mata ko ngayon. I may be exaggerating things but this is how I feel right at this moment. He looked at me and smiled. I can’t believe how I miss his gorgeous smile too. Ngumiti ako
Pagkatapos ng dinner namin ay dumiretso kami sa mall. I took off my graduation gown and slid it on the backseat of his car together with the graduation cap. I am wearing a white short dress underneath it. Pumasok kami sa mall habang naka-angkla ako sa kanyang braso. Marami akong nakitang naka-graduation gown pa na gumagala kasama ang kanilang pamilya at mga kaibigan. Napangiti ako. If my parents are still here, I am sure that we will be having an intimate dinner in a fancy restaurant or we will be having it at home. “Hi Helena!” bati sa akin ng mga magkakaibigan. I am not familiar with them but they were wearing a graduation gown.“Hello sa inyo.” ganti kong bati. Huminto kami saglit ni Alexander. Alexander glanced at them in a blank expression. Ang snobbish naman ng kasama ko. I bit my lip to suppress my laugh. “Congratulations sayo.” sabi nila.“Congrats din sa inyong lahat.”Ngumiti sila at sumulyap sa aking katabi. Kumaway na ako sa kanila bilang pamamalam upang ituloy ang pagla
Gabi na ng makauwi kami ni Alexander sa mansion dahil tumambay pa kami sa bookstore ng ilang oras. He paid for all the books I chose. Wala rin naman akong dalang pera at siya ang nagyaya kaya siya ang nagbayad. Talaga ba, Hera? Ginusto mo naman di ba?Nagulat ang nagbukas ng pintuan ng makitang kasama kong umuwi si Alexander sa mansion. Ako nga rin po ay nagulat din ng makita ko siya kanina.“Magandang gabi po, Sir.” bati nito bago umalis at sinarado ang malaking pintuan ng mansion. Hinatid ako ni Alexander sa aking kwarto. I didn’t invite him in para makapagpahinga na rin siya sa kanyang kwarto pero pumasok pa rin siya. He sat comfortably on my bed while I got my satin pajamas to go to my bathroom. He looked around in my room and stopped to the photo frame. Sinabihan ko siyang maghintay dahil saglit lang naman ko. I took a quick shower dahil feel ko ang dungis dungis ko na. Mula pa kaninang umaga hanggang sa gumabi na lang. Sa loob na rin ako nagbihis.Paglabas ko ay hawak-hawak na
I felt sore all over my body. And I can feel the warm arms encircling my small waist. I opened my eyes only to see Alexander's captivating eyes. “Good morning, baby.” Matamis niyang bati. He pecked a kiss on my lips and fixed the strands of my loose hair and put it behind my ear. “Good morning.” bati ko pabalik. “I am still sleepy..” sabi ko sabay pikit ulit ng aking mga mata. Narinig ko ang kanyang bahagyang pagtawa. “Alright, love. Sleep more.” malambing niyang sabi sa boses na para akong hinehele. Hinigpitan Niya ang kanyang pagkakayakap sa akin at hinalikan ang aking leeg. Then, I heard him hum a song until I fell asleep again. Nagising akong nag-iisa na lang sa aking kama. Then, there’s a note on my bedside table saying, “Good morning again, sleepy head, I head out first.” Napapiksi ako ng maramdamang medyo masakit ang buo kong katawan ng gumalaw ako. Tinatamad mang bumangon ay pinilit ko ang aking sarili na pumunta sa bathroom upang maglinis ng katawan. A cold shower is
Mahigpit na niyakap ako ni Meg pagkatapos naman ay si Elle. Kakarating lang nila mula sa Manila ngayong umaga gamit ang kanilang private helicopter. Kahapon pa abala ang lahat ng tao sa mansion dahil sa paghahanda para sa gagawing celebration mamayang gabi. It's Alexander's homecoming and the graduation celebration all in one. “I have missed you, Helena!” sabi ni Elle.“Na-miss ko rin kayong dalawa.” nakangiti kong sabi.“You look so gorgeous even more!” namamanghang sabi ni Meg. I smiled shyly dahil parang ganun pa rin naman ang hitsura ko.“Siguro naman nagka-boyfriend ka sa college!” Excited na sabi ni Meg. We were now heading inside the mansion. Alexander is walking behind us along with their parents.“Right! I saw your pictures in social media, you've been so close with Dmitri. Wow! He's hot! And in fairness, you looked good together!” sabi ni Elle. Tumango naman si Meg bilang pagsang-ayon.Alexander faked a cough kaya sabay kaming napalingon sa kanya. He's staring darkly at Ell
Dmitri glanced at Alexander and raised his hands while grinning, Alexander was giving him a death glare. I rolled my eyes and held Alexander’s arm.“See you, Dmitri.” nakangiti kong paalam sa kanya dahil tinatawag na siya ng kanyang mga kasamahan. He smiled and nodded. A frowning Alexander faced me. I laughed and pinched his cheeks. So cute.“Stop being grumpy, love.” I tease him. I saw how his lips formed into a smile. He snaked his arm on my waist and pulled me for a seat. “Gosh, Alexander. We're having fun here. Bumalik ka nga doon sa mga kasama mo,” sabi ni Meg na ngayon ay umiinom na naman.“No,” maiksing sagot ni Alexander. He put his chin on my shoulder habang nakapulupot pa rin ang kanyang kamay sa aking bewang. “You're so clingy,” Meg commented. “I'll just get back to dance. Enjoy.” Alexander grinned at what Meg said. Meg rolled her eyes as she sashayed to the dance floor.“Were you having fun?” Tanong ni Zander. Tumango ako. I looked at the people who surrounded us. They
I cutely wave my hand at Alexander who is frowning now. It's Saturday and we are going to the Zenith Club. Pero hindi ako sasabay sa kanya. Meg and Elle insisted that I should go with them and I agreed. Magkikita na lang kami ni Zander mamaya. “Bye, bro.” Nang-aasar na paalam ni Elle. Alexander glared at her and never said a word instead he looked at me with puppy eyes. “Yuck! Stop that Alexander,” saway ni Meg. “Tss. You two are annoying. Come, my baby, I want a hug.” Alexander said as he opened his arms wide for an embrace. I chuckled, went to him, and hugged him. “I'll wait for you there,” he said. “Hmm. Susunod kami,” sagot ko sabay bitaw sa yakap niya. He kissed my forehead before he went inside his car and drove. “Finally! Alexander is so dramatic.” sabi ni Elle sabay hawak sa aking kamay. “Let's go and change!” Excited niyang sabi. Meg gave me a short black dress with a slit on its side. My back is bare but good thing it has a sleeve. I wore black knee-high boots. Elle did
Sinamahan ako ni Alexander sa pagpunta sa PRC upang mag-file ng aking application sa exam. Nasa loob ng mall ang kanilang opisina. I greeted the security personnel before I went inside the office together with Alexander. I waited for my name to be called after I submitted the form. Mahigpit tatlumpung minuto rin bago ako matapos sa pag-process nito. Nakaupo lang si Alexander at tahimik na hinintay ako. I can't help but glanced at him once a while. He looked so good even by just simply sitting on a waiting lounge. Nagulat ako ng may mga nakakakilala sa kanya. Others were even taking a photo with him and they're giggling. Even here in Metro, he's popular. “Wanna go see a movie?” Tanong ni Alexander ng makalabas na kami sa opisina ng PRC. We're walking side by side and heading to a escalator. “Hmm. I wanna go see a bookstore,” sagot ko. He looked at me and laughed. Kinuha niya ang aking kamay at ipinagdaop ang aming mga palad. “Alright, Your Highness.” Umirap ako sa kanya at hinil
Luckily, I had a good sleep even though it was my first time here. I got off in my bed when I saw in the wall clock that it was already seven in the morning. I went to the bathroom to take a quick shower. Hinayaan ko lang ang aking mga damit sa aking maleta dahil natulog na ako agad kagabi pagkatapos maglinis ng katawan kaya ngayon ay hinalungkat ko ito at kinuha ang mga reading materials at inilagay sa study table. Hindi ko na hinintay si Alexander na dumating kagabi dahil sa pagod. Hindi pa ako sanay sa mahahabang oras na biyahe kaya siguro nakatulog ako kaagad. Nagsuot ako ng white short sleeve dress at sneakers. Magpa-file ako ngayon ng application for board exam. Magta-taxi na lang siguro ako papunta doon dahil baka abala si Alexander ngayon. I ponytailed my hair after I blow dried it. I put on light makeup and a lip tint. Suot ko rin ang necklace na binigay ni Alexander sa akin. Dala ko sa aking bisig ang aking mga documents na nakalagay sa isang plastic envelope at lumaba
A week had passed. Nasa Metro na si Alexander at abala sa expansion ng kanilang negosyo. Ako naman ay abala sa paghahanda sa aking board exam. Si Dmitri at Rico pumunta na kahapon sa Metro para sa kanilang review. Si Trixie naman ay nagsimula na sa kanyang training sa kanilang plantation. Halos nasa kwarto lang ako buong araw. I take my review seriously. Goal ko ang maging isa sa topnotchers kaya puspusan ang aking pag-aaral at pagre-review. Alexander and I call each other every night to talk and to know our whereabouts every day. Nakikinig lang ako sa kanyang mga kwento kasi wala naman akong masyadong ganap dito sa mansion maliban sa pag-aaral. He's really busy and sometimes, I told him to take a rest already but he always wanted to talk to me before we went to sleep. Meg and Elle went back to the Metro a week after Alexander left. Meg will go to Paris to take a crash course in Fashion designing after her summer vacation while Elle will proceed for medical course. Si Sofia naman a
Nasa coffeeshop na kaming apat at naghihintay sa aming order. Pansin ko ang mga bahagyang pagsulyap sa mesa namin ng ibang customers. Dmitri got our orders when our number was called. “I am going to miss you guys,” sabi ni Trixie ng inilapag na ni Dmitri ang aming orders. “Nami-miss din kita Trix. Magiging abala na tayong lahat next week,” sabi ko. “Well, let's keep in touch,” Dimitri said. I nodded. “Pagkatapos ko sa board exam ay magta-trabaho agad ako dahil kailangan kong mag-ipon,” si Rico naman ngayon. “Ang dami mo na sigurong ipon, Rico,” komento ko. Ever since I got to know him, he's hardworking and knows how to manage his money so well. Hindi ko siya nakikitang bumili ng kahit anong bagay at pansin ko ang pagiging masinop niya sa pera. “Hindi rin. Ilang taon pa siguro ang aabutin ko para maging financially free,” sagot niya. “Basta bro, yung sinasabi ko sayo. Don't let your money sleep in the bank. Invest it on something good, better invest it on stocks," payo ni Dmitr
I was daze after the kiss we have shared. Hindi ko magawang tumingin sa mga kasamahan namin pagkatapos ng halik. Someone fake a coughed and laughed na sinundan naman ng iba para mawala ang katahimikan. I glanced at Alexander at parang wala lang sa kanya, nagawa pa niyang iyakap ang kanyang kamay sa aking bewang. I tried to get off his arm but it was like steel. It holds firmly on my waist. I looked at him but he just raised his eyebrow. Kaya kahit nahihiya man ay hinayaan ko na lang. “Are you ashamed of me?” mahinang tanong niya sa akin. Agad akong umiling dahil hindi naman iyon ang rason. “Next!” Sigaw ni Meg na kaagad namang sinunod ni Elle. “Kanina pa kita gustong halikan upang ipakita sa kanila na hindi ka na pwede pang ligawan Hera dahil may boyfriend ka na. And that's me,” Alexander in his menacing voice. I can feel the curious stares directing at me. We continued playing until one in the morning. Hanggang sa umuwi na ang mga bisita. No one dared to ask a question about us. B
Malapit ng mag alas onse pero gising na gising pa rin ang diwa ng mga tao at nagkakatuwaan pa kami nina Meg at Elle kasama ang iba nilang kaibigan na taga dito sa bayan. Sumali na rin si Rico sa amin dahil iilan lang din naman kaming magkaka-edad na dumalo sa pagtitipon. Alexander was busy talking with older men especially those who were inclined in the business world together with Tito Callixto. While the older women were talking happily, enjoying their wine. Naglalaro kami ngayon ng spin the bottle at pinalibutan namin ang bilugang mesa. Si Elle ay may hawak ng bote at siya rin mismo ang nagpaikot nito. We cheered when the bottle pointed at the girl named Rose. Dare ang kanyang pinili at naghiyawan ang iba dahil sa excitement. Elle gave her the dare. “Kiss the most handsome tonight.” Nakangising sabi ni Elle. Nanlaki naman ang mata ni Rose at bahagyang sumilip sa kinaroroonan ni Alexander. “H-he’s busy!” Sabi niya. Tumaas ang kilay ni Elle at lumingon sa paligid. “Sino ba yang
Hinampas ko sa braso si Alexander. Umungol siya na wari ay nasaktan. Aba’t ang OA naman ng isang to. Napakahina nga lang ng hampas ko. Tiningnan ko siya ng masama pero ngumiti lang siya. Ayan na naman ang nakakatunaw niyang ngiti. Minsan na nga lang ngumingiti, nakakatunaw pa. “Bakit mo sinabi sa kanila na girlfriend muna ako?” Mahina kong tanong sa kanya. He stopped and faced me. Kaya napahinto rin tuloy ako. Then, he wore a serious face. “I didn't know we should make it a secret this whole time, Hera. We've been in a relationship for five years, and I didn't say anything about us. Bago ako umalis ay girlfriend na kita. Did you forget about it?” Nakataas kilay niyang tanong. I pouted and shook my head. “Paano kung malaman ng parents mo?” Tanong ko. This time, his eyebrows furrowed. Na para bang nagtataka siya kung bakit ko tinanong yun. “Takot kang malaman nila?” Tanong niya. Tumango ako. Takot din ako para sa aking sarili, Alexander. Hindi ko pa rin maisip na ako ang narara