With that incident in my mind, umuwi na ako. "Nathan I'm home!" sigaw ko as soon as I got to our house. I waited for a minute...baka tulog pa. I'll just open the door myself then. Rummaging through my bag, I looked for the key. I'm sure I just put it here this morning..."Where's my math notes?"I jumped in shock and looked at the source."Oh." I sighed in relief, seeing it's not a robber or something. "Eion, so good to see you here." I greeted sarcastically. I turned my eyes to look around, then stared at him in confusion, "Bat andito ka?” He leaned to a wall, crossing his arms in front of him, "I want it back."Tingnan ko lang sya, waiting for him to continue. Realizing he has nothing more to say, I motioned for him to continue, "The what? What are you referring to?" I sighed. Eion, minsan, please, just please, elaborate clearly, it's not like you have to explain for five sentences. I just need a good answer, that's all."My notes." He replied.Nagtama ang aking kilay, my eyes na
Nang sumunod ang araw, nakagising na ako ng alas dos ng hapon, just like I did when I didn't have work or school. And now that we have this break, I'm not gonna waste time and let this chance slip, I'm still a lazy teenager after all.We were watching cartoons as usual in the living room, nasa tabi ang kapatid ko. Mom was preparing herself for work, saying that she had a night shift starting today and for the following days. Looking at the clock, she said in a hurry, "I should get going now.” "Be a good boy, Nathan. And take good care of him, Snow." Hinalikan nya kami sa pisngi. Nathan and Tumango ako our heads simultaneously like an obedient dog.My eyes trailed in space and once mom pulled from the garage, she sped off the road and vanished insight. Turning around, my lips turned upward, beaming at my little brother."So, what would you like to do, Nate-nate?"Tinanong ko. I'm up for a little mischief today since I was woken up early in the morning. Hindi na rin ako makabalik sa tu
Oh Eion, being the curious robot...Changing my voice into a drunk one, I said, "Because I just want to!" I added a drunken slurp for effect. I don't know if I did convince him since I was not drunk before, not ever, so I don't know what it's like and I'm just basing on the movies.He seemed to be convinced kaya Tinanong nya, "Lasing ka ba?"Smirking, I giggled, just to add effect. At least my plan is kinda working...kahit papaano."Now teach me some Filipino words!" I demanded."No. Bye." I gasped at his rejection. Ouch. I didn't care before since it was fun irritating him and all but this time, I just can't take it."But-" I tried to reason out but he's fast to reject. He's Eion after all."No. End of the conversation."I sighed, nagsisimula ng umiyak. "Eion. I am not in a mood to have an argument, it's just- I needed someone to talk to." I hiccuped. "Just tonight, can we please be practically friends?"I thought he had hung up already but I could still hear his deep breathing. Tahi
"I mean...I just..can't see the point of why I have to use my energy to let everyone know what I am feeling inside. Walang may pake. Life still goes on. It's better this way than making an effort." He said. I took in what he said, my eyebrows meeting. I'm confused...Is he thinking like this all this time? Is that really the reason? It feels so long that I know him, and yet here I am, wondering about him. About who he truly is. Not the rude, stone-faced robot I know. It looks like I still don't know him that well…Him thinking so deeply like this made me want to dissect, and study each part of him, each story he has, each scar he hides..."But why? Kung nakakapagod, then would it be the same as smiling? All you do is glare and scowl. Or if neither, then just a blank, expressionless face."Although as time passes, all these months since I met him, his facade is slowly melting for a while now compared to the incidents back when I first met him.He went quiet with that. Then he spoke u
"I hate that guy. I hate him!"Was the first thing I heard of Hannah. The two-week break ended so suddenly and here I am, back to reality again. At nakalimutan ko! I had actually planned something about this but it went all away because of my business."Hindi ko na sya gusto. And I swear if I see him I'm gonna kill him." She was harshly stabbing her notebook, drawing a figure of a boy and stabbing it."What-" I was about to ask but stopped. Better not get in her mood. I just sat quietly in my chair beside her and minded my own business, checking up at Hannah every now and then to see if she's still herself."He's such a cheater. We're not even together but he still cheats! I can't believe it, I can't take it anymore! He's so obnoxious-He's such a player-he's such a handsome jerk! Ugh!" I hear her mumbling to herself.Him? Hmm. There's only one person I could think of right now that fills that personality."Goodmorning!" A voice exclaimed. And just in time, it was Leroy, speaking of t
"Eion," tawag ko. I handed his notes to him as I borrowed them later. "Thank you."There was something different today. Something off about him. Like I'm feeling light around him."You're welcome." He said, bago magdadag, "Salamat rin."I raised my eyebrows at him, "For what?"He walked closer and said in a low voice, "For that phone call. I now know your secrets…and we're now friends…” Tumango ako, now remembering that. Right….I smiled at him, “Good, I thought you forgot."Umiling sya, "I won’t. And don't tell anyone about my secrets.""Yes sir!" I saluted.Ngumiti sya. It was a sincere smile…I grinned at that, giving him a thumbs up. "Wow. That's what I was talking about! Smile more. As I said, pogi ka tingnan jan." Who could really guess that this iceberg in front of me...can just easily change once someone tells him? And what's more, from someone like me who was once his enemy? But it feels so good! So good that you are the reason for someone changing into a better person. Wh
I turned around slowly, dreading for the worse, and saw Eion leaning casually by the wall of one of the classrooms. Oh, just in time. How considerate of him.Gritting my teeth at the sight of him, I didn't waste a moment and stormed towards him. "So you’re going to punch me? Do it then." He urged. Suminghap ako, now he just put fuel into me. Walang makakapigil sakin. I clenched my hands and slammed it so hard towards him, but he dodged it, making my hand meet the cold hard wall instead, not having enough time to stop it.I winced in pain, biting down the shriek of pain. Eion took my hands and slammed them into the wall on top of my head. He leaned into me and fixed me with his gaze.Umiwas akonng tingin. He can't fool me with those emerald eyes! Not anymore! I gritted my teeth, clenching my hands that's now on top of me. I winced in pain again as the hand that hit the wall earlier tried to punch him. "Snow, I wanted to tell you something." He said, there was sincerity in his voice.
I turn to look at Hannah. Hindi sya makatingin sa akin. What happened? Ano ng nangyayari First Emma, now Hannah? Wait wait wait...Please slow down. Parang ang bilis ng mga pangyayari para sakin.I glared at Hannah and forced to catch her gaze. Ugh, they are so secretive. I told her that she should tell me what's happening through my eyes. She seems to understand and nodded shyly, clutching at Leroy as her life depends on him. Wow, what is happening now? Magtatanong ako sa susunod. Nang umupo ang bagong magjowa, the silence vanished, Leroy behind his usual noisy self, started a conversation with everybody. And everyone seemed to shrug the news aside and was immersed in the topic. I glance at Leroy, beaming as he talks animatedly with his hands moving. By the look of his grin, parang ang saya nya. Then I remembered him...Luke’s still not here... "Hannah? Where's Luke?""I don't know, hindi kami kambal." She replied, the same reply I get when Tinanong ko Luke about her. Magkapatid
Buti na lang na-convince ko si Eion na dumaan sa reception matapos siyang makipagkulitan sa kotse. Ang reception ay sa villa ni Hudson, kung saan naglilingkod ang kaibigan ni Eion noong bata pa si Mario. Nakita ko siya at ngumiti sa kanya. "Buti naman nagtatrabaho ka pa rin dito, Mario." Bahagya siyang yumuko, “Kahit ako ay nagtataka kung bakit hindi ako pinaalis ni Eion. Anyways, I’m wishing you a happy marriage, Ms. Snow.” Pagkatapos ay bumulong siya, "Alam ko na kayong dalawa ang hahantong sa isa't isa." Sabi niya sabay kindat, at bago pa ako makasagot ay naglakad na siya palayo. "Ano iyon?" Tanong ni Eion nang maabutan niya ako habang pinaparada niya ang sasakyan kanina. "Wala. Mario ang pagiging Mario." Sumagot ako. Nakita ko si Leroy na nakatingin sa paligid at nang magtama ang aming mga mata, nakahinga siya ng maluwag. Pagkatapos ay tinahak niya ang daan papunta sa amin. "Oh hey. Nagulat ako na nakarating ka rito, aking kaibigan." Sabi ni Leroy sabay turo sa labi ko at
Maya-maya lang ay tumigil si Eion at tumayo. Binigyan siya ng isang waiter ng gitara at tumahimik siya.“I never sing, Snow, but for tonight, it’s only you and me. Kantahan kita."Napabuntong hininga ako dahil doon. "Teka, kakanta ka ba talaga?"“Oo. Nagsasanay ako nitong mga nakaraang buwan. Sa Pinas, alam mo ba na nakasanayan na nilang kantahin ang iyong puso gamit ang gitara at pumunta sa bahay ng liligawan mo. Tinatawag itong harana." Ipinaalam niya sa akin. Ang mga kamay niya ay nagtu-tune ng gitara at medyo nanginginig siya. Nginitian ko siya at nag thumbs up para palakasin ang loob niya.Tumango siya, “Maaaring hindi ito ang bahay mo at nasa barko tayo ngayon pero... I’m doing it. Sana ay mag-enjoy ka sa gabing ito, mahal ko." Pagkasabi niyan, sinimulan niyang i-string ang gitara at ipinikit ang kanyang mga mata, binuka ang kanyang bibig para kumanta."Kapag ang iyong mga binti ay hindi gumana tulad ng datiAt hindi kita maalis sa iyong mga paaMaaalala pa ba ng iyong bibig ang
Sinimulan ni Eion ang kanyang panata. "Naalala mo ba yung unang araw na nagkakilala tayo?" Hindi ito ang karaniwang love at first sight moment. Naiinis ako sayo, hindi ko alam na pagmamahal na pala ang nararamdaman ko. Nagsimula kami bilang magkaaway at ngayon, tingnan mo kami. Ikaw ay naging aking manliligaw, aking kasama, at aking matalik na kaibigan. Wala akong ibang gustong makasama sa buhay. Makakasama kita, mahal ko, at asawa ko, magpakailanman." Sabi na napatigil siya. Nakatingin siya sa mga mata ko habang sinasabi niya iyon. Wala siyang kopya, pagkatapos ay nagpatuloy siya, “Ginawa mo akong pinakamasayang tao sa mundo ngayon sa pamamagitan ng pagsang-ayon na ibahagi ang iyong buhay sa akin. Ipinapangako kong pahahalagahan at igalang kita. Ipinapangako kong aalagaan at poprotektahan kita. Ipinapangako ko na aaliwin kita at hikayatin ka. Ipinapangako kong makakasama kita sa buong kawalang-hanggan. Ipinapangako kong mamahalin kita kung sino ka, at kung sino ka pa. Nangangako
Pagdating sa venue, nanatili ako sa sasakyan habang sinusuri muna ng organizers ng kasal namin ang lahat bago kami magsimula. Napatingin ako sa abalang tao na nakaupo sa mga upuan. Mayroon lang kaming isang daang bisita para sa araw na ito dahil ayaw kong mag-imbita ng marami. At saka, wala akong masyadong kaibigan. I lost contact with my high school friends the moment we migrate here. Isa pa, hindi rin ganoon ka-close si nanay sa mga kamag-anak ni tatay dahil pareho silang tumakas sa kanilang tahanan noong ako ay kasama nila. At hindi ko siya masisisi dahil doon. Kaya si mama lang, si Nathan, at ilan sa mga kaklase ko from Anastolgia High like Ember. Kaya karamihan ay pamilya at mga kamag-anak ni Eion ang mga bisita niya. Nakita ko sina Luke at Hannah na binabati ang mga bisita at sinisiguradong komportable ang lahat. Napatingin sa amin si Tita Maggie at ikinaway ang kanyang mga kamay. Nakaupo siya sa tabi ng kanyang asawa, si Martin Sawyer na karga-karga ang kanilang isang ta
"Hindi ko talaga akalain, sa ating tatlo, na ikaw ang unang ikakasal, Snow." Sabi ni Emma habang naglalagay ng powder sa kanyang mukha gamit ang kanyang makeup brush. “Naku, nagseselos ka ba na siya ang unang ikakasal sa atin, o nagseselos ka dahil gusto mong ikasal sa susunod, Emma?” mungkahi ni Hannah habang naglalagay ng lipstick sa labi. Umikot lang ng mata si Emma, “Well, I didn’t expect na ikaw, sa aming lahat, ang unang nabuntis, Hannah.” Gumanti siya ng putok, itinuro ang malaking tummy ni Hannah. Si Hannah ay pitong buwan nang buntis sa anak ni Leroy. Maging ako ay nagulat sa biglaang balita. Hindi ko ito inaasahan. Natawa si Hannah doon at kinindatan ako, “This is your time girl. Lumiwanag na parang brilyante." Natawa na lang ako sa kanila, napakagat labi sa sobrang kaba na nararamdaman ko ngayon. Nasa dressing room talaga kami habang suot ni Hannah ang kanyang magandang royal blue na bridesmaid dress. Pinili namin ang royal blue dahil ito ang paboritong kulay ni Eio
SNOW’S POV "Snow, may pinadala sa iyo," sabi ni Nanay pagkagising ko. Kinuha ito at binuksan, ito ay mga bulaklak at tsokolate, na may sulat-kamay na tala na alam ko nang lubos. Kay Eion iyon. Pagkabasa nito, napangiti ako sa sinabi niya sa loob ng note. "Sa aking magandang niyebe sa aking taglamig na puso, ito ay para sa iyo. Hindi ko nakakalimutan ang anniversary natin." ito ang naging taktika niya for the past 4 years every time na anniversary namin. Then, my phone beep and Eion texted me. Nagustuhan mo ba ang mga bulaklak at tsokolate? Iyon lang ang teaser. Kakain tayo mamaya ng 7pm. Huwag magpahuli. - iyong strawberry addict robot Natawa ako sa nickname na itinakda niya sa phone ko bilang caller ID niya. Tila tinanggap niya ang palayaw na ibinigay ni Emma ilang taon na ang nakakaraan. “Oh, galing ba yan sa boyfriend mo, Sweetie?” pang-aasar ni mama. “Kung gayon mag-ingat ka. Hindi mo na kailangang humingi ng permiso sa akin dahil malugod kong papayagan kang sumama sa kany
4 YEARS LATER TITA MAGGIE’S POV “Justin!” I called out, huffing at umakyat sa hagdan. Nilingon ko ang yaya niya at tinanong, “Hindi pa rin siya kumakain ng almusal niya?” “Opo ma'am. Siya ay tumatakbo sa paligid para sa buong umaga. Humihingi ako ng pasensya." Sagot ng yaya niya. Bumuntong hininga ako, “Let’s stop chasing him for now. I'm sure mapapagod ka agad at kakain." sabi ko, pinaalis ang pagod niyang yaya. ako Naglakad ako patungo sa dining table kung saan nakaupo ang asawa ko at nag-aalmusal. “Honey, pwede bang tawagan mo si Justin? Pagod na ang yaya niya sa pag-aalaga sa kanya nitong mga araw na ito. Kailangan niyang kumain ng kanyang almusal." “Oo, honey.” Sagot ng asawa ko habang nagbabasa ng diyaryo sa umaga. "Halika na Justin, sweetheart. Huwag i-stress ang iyong ina. Malapit nang dumating ang kapatid mo kung ipagpapatuloy mo iyan….” Narinig ko ang huni ng asawa ko. And with that, I felt giggling from upstairs and Justin appeared running around the house and came
POV ni Emma Well, I trust Eion,” sagot ni Snow sa tanong ko habang tinitingnan ang oras sa kanyang wristwatch. Bumuntong-hininga, tumayo siya at kinuha ang kanyang bag. "Kailangan kong pumunta ngayon." I just rolled my eyes at her, "Yeah yeah, go to your strawberry addict robot now and leave your bitter and lonely friends." She just chuckled at me and bid her goodbyes, with Hannah encouraging her also. "Kunin mo ang lalaki mo, Snow." She winked at lumabas ng ice cream shop. Sa pag-alis ni Snow, naiwan kaming dalawa ni Hannah ngayon. Lumingon ako sa kanya, “Ano ang dapat nating gawin ngayon? Kakaalis lang ng kaibigan natin at naiinip na ako." reklamo ko sa kanya. Tila walang naririnig na salita si Hannah na sinasabi ko habang ang mga sulok ng kanyang mga labi ay lumingon upang bumuo ng isang ngiti. Oh hindi. Alam ko ang ginagawa niya. napabuntong hininga ako. Maya-maya lang, tumunog ang phone niya at pilit niyang pinindot ang sagot. “Oh siya, babe. Anong meron?” Oh right, si L
Pinatay niya ang mga ilaw. Ang kanyang mga labi ay patuloy na gumagawa ng mga kababalaghan sa akin. Ang halik na ito ay iba sa alinman sa aming huling pagkakataon. Bumaba ang mga halik niya sa leeg ko, pababa sa collarbone ko. Parang gusto niyang matikman ang lahat, bawat pulgada sa akin. Hindi ko napigilang isigaw ang pangalan niya, "Ugh. Eion.” At tinakpan ko ang bibig ko sa sinabi ko, feeling ko uminit ang pisngi ko sa kahihiyan. Geez, talagang…napaungol lang ako? Nakagat ko ang labi ko, nakatingala sa kanya habang nakatitig siya sa kaluluwa ko, tinutusok ako ng emerald eyes niya. He gulped, almost like in an pain, “Say that again. Tawagin mo ulit ang pangalan ko, Snow." Ginawa ko ang sinabi niya sa akin, "Eion." Para siyang nakikipagdebate sa sarili, pinipigilan ang sarili sa isang bagay hanggang sa bumulong siya ng isang sumpa, “Damn Snow. Ano ang ginagawa mo sa akin?" Tanong niya na ngayon ay humihinga. Sa isang iglap, napabuntong hininga ako nang umabot ang kanyang mga