Unceremonious kissLater that night, I stayed up late. I always think about the kiss we've shared. It's my first kiss and I didn't know it would feel this way. I can still feel the tingling sensation when he kissed me. I can't erase how his soft lips touch mine. The reason I woke up very late this morning.Paglabas ko mula sa aking kwarto ay nadatnan kong abala ang mga nagtatrabaho sa mansion."Ano pong meron?" Tanong ko sa dumaan."May mga bisita na darating si Sir Alexander ngayon." Sagot nito."Ah, okay, po. Ako na po ang magdadala nito. Sa'n ho ba to ibibigay?" Tanong ko sa kanya tungkol sa new set of table cloth na kanyang dala. Gusto kong tumulong sa kahit sa mga simpleng bagay."Sigurado ka?" Tanong niya. Tumango naman ako. "Salamat at may gagawin pa ako. Ibigay mo ito kay Mela para mapalitan ang tablecloths sa dining.""Sige po." Sabi ko sabay tanggap sa binigay niya. Dumiretso ako sa dining area at nakita Ang tatlong katulong doon. Agad ko namang ibinigay kay ate Mela ang aki
Seeing the FutureGaya ng napag-usapan, I stayed in my room reading a book. I still have a lot of books waiting to be read. Kakatapos ko lang basahin ang isang aklat ng may kumatok sa aking pintuan.Mukha ni Alexander ang bumungad sa akin pagkabukas ko. I looked at him with a question on my face.“We're going to the falls. Wanna come?” Tanong niya.“I thought I would read for the rest of the day.” Sagot ko.“Well, beautiful, I'm making the most of my stay here with you. If it's not too much, spend this summer with me, Hera.” Alexander in his serious face
The Summer is About to EndI stayed in my room for the rest of the night. It's not my thing to socialize with a lot of people, it makes me feel drained especially with those new faces. I'm fine with the people here in the mansion. But most of the time, I stayed here in my room reading. Back then and until now, I only got out when the girls wanted to play with me or Alexander wanted to hang out. At school, I am just quiet and seldom interact with my classmates. I could feel that they wanted to talk to me and incorporate me into their conversation but most of the time, I just kept on reading with my book to avoid any conversation with them. Hindi ko alam kung kailan nagsimula ang pagiging reserve ko. There's always this barrier that prevents me from getting close to other people. It will take a lot of time for me to get comfortable with them.
Saying GoodbyeIt's true that if you're happy, you won't notice how the time passed by. And just like that, summer ended.Alexander and the girl's departure is this morning. It's a week before the academic year starts. They need to be in Manila a week before so that they can prepare the things they need to do. They're going via land and one of the family drivers will drive them.Sofia is having a tantrum once again. Her favorite sibling is going away. Alexander is still trying to pacify her in her room.
The Class Has StartedI was about to leave my room when Grandma knocked.“Good morning, Lola.” Bati ko sa kanya.“Good morning, Hera. Halika, may ibibigay ako” sabi niya sabay hila sa akin papunta sa aking higaan. “Kahapon ko lang kasi nakita to dahil nakalimutan ko kung saan ko nailagay.”“What is it, Lola?” Curious kong tanong sa kanya. She handed me a small notebook. 
UnconsciousI stared blankly at him. He stared back and smirked. What? Anong problema ng isang to? I heard a chukled from him. I creased my forehead and eventually, I decided to just ignore him. Hindi mahirap sa aking gawin since hindi naman talaga ako masyadong nakikipag-usap sa aking mga kaklase o sa kahit sa aking katabi. Tahimik lang ako at pokus na nakikinig during discussions so I don't have time to looked at his side or what.I thought he was a snob but surprisingly, most of our classmates had already been friends with him in a short period. I wonder how he did that when he's a transferee and it's the first day of the class.Lunchtime and as usual, I stayed in the room and took my lunch box after most of my classmates went outside to eat. Niyaya ako nina Trixie na kumain sa cafeteria but I pol
I miss youNagising ako na hawak-hawak ng aking lola ang aking kamay. Ang kanyang mukha na nag-aalala ang siyang bumungad sa akin."Kumusta ang pakiramdam mo, apo?" tanong niya sa marahan na boses."Medyo maayos na po.""Uminom ka muna ng gamot mo. Nakaligtaan mo na naman ang pagdadala nito. Alam mo naman na nangyayari talaga to sayo." sabi niya sabay abot sa akin ng tableta at tubig. Agad ko itong ininom at nagpasyang magbihis na rin. After that, umalis na rin si lola dahil may kailangan pa siyang gawin. Bumalik lang ako sa pagtulog pagkatapos kong magbihis upang makapagpahinga ng mabuti.Nagising ako sa ingay ng aking cellphone. Pinakiramdaman ko ang aking sarili at buti nalang naging maayos na ang aking pakiramdam. Tiningnan ko ang wall clock at nakitang alas sais na ng umaga. I took my phone out on my bag and answered Alexander's call."Hello."
School Fair Pagdating ng lunes ay abala ang buong school sa school fair na gaganapin sa loob ng tatlong araw. May mga naka-set up na rin na ibang booths katabi ng sa amin. Tinulungan ako ni Mang Nestor at Kuya Isko sa pagdadala ng mga pinya papunta sa aming booth. Isang malaking basket ang dala namin ngayong araw na naglalaman ng labinlimang kilo ng pinya. I thank Mang Nestor and kuya Isko for helping me after nilang maihatid ang mga pinya sa aming booth. “Hi, Helena!” bati ng aking mga ka-grupo pagdating ko. “Hi!” bati ko sa kanila pabalik. Nagsimula na agad kami sa pag-prepare sa aming mga produkto. Trixie displays her Mangga with bagoong together with the Taro chips. Nena brought two blenders for our cucumber and pineapple juice. It still seven in the morning kaya wala pang masyadong tao. Si Dmitri nalang ang kulang sa amin at ang kanyang sliced banana cake. Pagtungtong ng alas otso y media ay nagsimula na ang pagdagsa ng mga tao. May ilang customers na rin ang bumili ng Mangg
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