CHAPTER 1

“LADIES and gentlemen, as we start our descent, please make sure your seat backs and tray tables are in their full upright position. Make sure your seat belt is securely fastened and all carry-on luggage is stowed underneath the seat in front of you or in the overhead bins. Thank you,” voiced over on the plane as it took off.

"Finally, I’m back." Annabelle whispered with a smile as she hides a little pain in her chest.

She looked outside her window and leaned on her arm rest. Watching from up above, she stared blankly at people who looked like ants and the buildings and houses that looked like toys. She fathomed, she’s home.

Seven years. It had been seven years since she left for the states and stayed with her aunt. With those long years she only went back home in the Philippines once – when her father passed away. It was even only for a week. As much as she wanted to stay longer, her mother forbidded it because Mrs. Cora did not want her to miss school. Though, she’d come and visit her abroad. Annabelle missed her mom and her siblings and was also very excited to play with her nieces and nephews.

‘I wonder how Jenny is doing?’ Lots of thoughts came to her mind. There are those moments that she could not just forget. May it be happy or sad memories, it always haunts her as she reminisced.

Nostalgia. While she was waiting for her plane to land, she remembered everything that had happened.

Year 2012

“ANNA!” a loud shout called. Annabelle stopped and followed a very familiar voice-it was Jenny. She was estatic when she saw her dear friend.

They were on their third year in college. They were very fond of each other because they knew each other ever since they were in highschool. Jenny is a daughter of one of the professors at Magsaysay State Colleges where the both of them goes. While Annabelle’s father, Mr. Tiofilo Reñedas, is the principal.

Annabelle is not only the youngest but is also the only girl in the family. She has two older brothers but because of work, the two had to live on the other side of town. Her mother, Mrs. Cora, is a housewife who always make sure that her children are well taken care of.

Jenny is a really bubbly girl. She would always chat and fool around but she is also very sweet. She likes to put make up on her face. At the young age of nineteen, she is already a maven on putting on lipstick and blush on her bare but still beautiful face. She has her hair on curly waives that falls right on her shoulders.

On the other hand, Annabelle, is demure and had always chose to look simple. She only had to put powder on her fair skinned face. She does not like the feel of those beauty poducts. She finds it heavy and she is really just not just used to it. She also sprays herself with baby cologne every morning and the smell lasts the whole day. Jenny has a glass-like skin with a brown complexion while she has a fair white clear skin tone. She got her looks from her mother who came from a Spanish descent. For her, she and Jenny are like perfect bestfriends complementing each other.

“You didn’t wait for me,” Jenny said pouting her mouth.

“Well, you were taking so long!” Annabelle shrugged with a laugh.

“Smarty pants, we both know I don’t have a good realitionship with math. My apologies madame, I’m not as keen as you.“ she said with a smile “I’m starving. What should we eat?”

They walked together towards the cafeteria. She bought a cheese sandwich and a zesto juice while Jenny had spaghetti, coke and an extra hotdog sandwich. Annabelle is always in awe how Jenny maintains her slim figure even with her huge appetite.

They found a seat on the left corner near the window.

“Hey, haven’t you heard?” Jenny continued. “There are soldiers in town. They arrived the other day. The word is they’re from manila and they were summoned by the government to come here beacause rebels are all over the mountains."

She also heard that the rebels are taking over the farm lands in the town of Bansalan. She was not pleased with this news. She did not expect that the situation would come to this.

Bansalan is located at the southern part of Davao. It has a small urbanized municipality that would only take up ¼ of the whole province. Magsaysay is the town’s center, where they are residing. Their place has complete necessary offices and instituitions; schools, hospitals, parks and markets. There are no huge shopping malls but there are establishments that sell clothes and other household needs.

“That news is scary, Jen.”

“True. Scary but….exciting!” she spoke with glee as she sipped on her coke, slurrped her spaghetti and munched her hotdog sandwich.

Annabelle raised her eyebrow “What is so exciting about that horrible news?”

“Well…those soldiers are from Manila right? I heard they’re good looking! ” She squirmed and explained. “Come to think of it. What if the man who would catch my looks and would sweep me off my feet is a Manilenyo?” Jenny said looking up like dreaming.

Annabelle rolled her eyes and warned her friend “Jen, FYI, rumor has it that Manilenyos are ought to be playboys. People in Manila are liberated and for sure men and women there are definitely more attractive. Do you think they would turn an eye on girls like us who lives in a prvince? Or okay maybe if they do, do you think they’d be in a serious relationship? Sis, it’s not that I’m discouraging you to admire those guys I’m just saying that you should keep your heart guarded. I don’t want to get your hopes high and get you hurt in the end. You know I care for you and love you.”

“Aww . . . Of course, I know you love me. I just don’t want my looks to get wasted. I’ve put so much effort to look pretty. This could be an opportunity, you know?” Jenny winked stroking her hair. Annabelle just closed her eyes in disbelief of her friend’s delusions. Sometimes Jenny can be naïve yet vulgar when it comes to love.