Chapter 1

One day, it was summer time and two families were on the beach, the Smith and Suarez family. Brando and his wife Marie Smith went on vacation with their son named Jake Andrew. They visited their friend who is living on an island, the Suarez who owned one of the famous resorts around the North. While the adults are currently preparing food for lunch, the two children are busy playing on the sand.

"Hi! I'm Jake and you are--?”

Abala ang batang babae picking up seashells on the sand but she replied to him, "My name is Hannah."

Tinabihan ni Jake si Hannah at makikipag-shake hands sana dito pero abala ito sa ginagawa nito kaya napakamot nalang sya sa batok saka nagsalita muli. "Nice meeting you--Hannah! Now I have a new friend to play with.”

"Ilan taon kana?” Hannah asked as she laughs while playing with sand on her hands.

"I'm eight"

"Ah, so mas matanda ka sa akin ng isang taon." Hannah mumbled and look up at the boy staring at her.

"Okay lang, sabi nga pala ni Daddy friend nya 'yong Dad mo, so we can be friends too, right?” Tanong ni Jake looking at her while Hannah was still busy counting the seashells in her hands.

"Uhm, I've lots of friends already, di ko nga mabilang eh,” Hannah replied without looking at the boy she was talking to.

"Then add me as one of your friends, ayaw mo non madadagdagan pa?” pabirong sabi ni Jake.

"Pero di ka naman taga-dito, you come only once a year, how can we be friends?” Hannah said smiling, looking at the boy then she continued, "Friends should always be near each other always, diba?”

Jake was unable to reply for a while but he soon managed to answer. "We will come here often, I'll tell Dad and Mom." Pagkasabi niyon, he then took the girl's hand and they draw a big circle on the sand. They put their names in it and after a few moments the water reaches the sand and the drawing they made had been washed out, they both laughed and glance at each other.

Samantala mula sa di kalayuan, nakangiting tinatanaw ni Brando ang mga batang naglalaro, and a plan formed in his mind. He then called his friend Gilbert, and they sat down there under the big tree.

"Gilbert, Can i ask you a favor?”

“Oo naman--Brando, ano iyon?” Wondering and confused, Gilbert asked.

“Gilbert, What if let's have an agreement. We already knew each other, we've been friends for so many years.”

“Brando, what kind of agreement is that?”

“Will you agree with me if I want my son to marry your daughter in the future?”

Surprised, Gilbert sighed as he watched the two children playing. There is nothing wrong with what his friend is offering, aside from that, he too can assure that his child is safe and in good hands. Gilbert sighed as he watch the two kids playing and chasing each other on the beach. Wala namang kamalay-malay ang mga asawa nila sa pinag-uusapan nila dahil abala ang mga ito sa paghahanda ng tanghalian.

Napansin ni Brando that his friend is quite hesitant so he convinced him and said nicely, "We're getting older, Gilbert! I wanna see my grandchildren before we grow old-- ano sa tingin mo?"

Surprisingly, Gilbert agreed to his best friend's wish and they both shook hands. “Okay, Brando payag na ako sa plano mo, when the right time comes, we'll talk about it again.”

Dahil sa narinig na sagot ng kaibigan, Brando was so happy, meanwhile Gilbert was a bit worried. He's afraid her daughter Hannah might get angry once she find out the said agreement. A few minutes later, kinalma ni Gilbert ang sarili at tinawag na sina Jake and Hannah.

Nang marinig ng dalawang bata na tinatawag na sila, they ran back to the cottage. Soon, the family had lunch at pagkatapos nilang kumain, Jake stood up at inaya si Hannah na bumalik sa dalampasigan.

"Hannah, Tara laro uli tayo!"

Tumango naman si Hannah at nagpalinga-linga sa paligid. Nakakita sya ng dalawang maliit na timba at saka tabo malapit sa may lutuan. Inutusan niya si Jake to get it, agad namang tumalima si Jake then ran near the stove and took the two small pale and handed the other one to Hannah.

“Come on, hurry! Let's play doon malapit sa may batuhan.”

Two playmates then left and ran to the seashore. While playing and holding the scoops, masinsinang nag-uusap ang dalawa, “Jake, what do you want to be when you grow up?”

Jake didn"t answer for a while, he stood there thinking of something. "Me? I want to be a famous actor, the one who is seen on television.”

"How about you?” Jake looks at her, smiling widely.

"Uhm, I just want to be like Dad, he's good in school.”

"What's your Dad's work, then?"

"He is the school principal,” Hannah replied innocently.

"Ohhh!" Jake muttered and smile at her.

Ilang segundo pa at naisip ni Jake na ayain ang kalaro sa isang deal. He challenged Hannah na tumakbo at magpaunahan sila mula sa pwesto nila hanggang don sa cottage and whoever comes first will win and who comes late will have a punishment.

"Are you sure?" Seryosong tanong ni Hannah.

Jake answered with a smirk on his face. "Yeah"

“Anyway, What's the punishment?" Hannah innocently asks eventhough she dont like that evil smile on Jake's face.

Abot-tenga ang ngiti na sumagot si Jake at umiling. “Secret”

"I don't like secrets, I'm not gonna play." Nakasimangot na sagot niya.

Jake soon realized that Hannah was smart enough so he replied,"Fine! Whoever comes late will be flipped in the ear five times.” Jake lied, coz in his head, he already decided that if he actually wins he'll kiss Hannah on her cheeks.

"Okay.....Deal!" Hannah murmured.

"Let's start! 1, 2, 3, go!"

After counting, the two sped off and led the way to the cottage. Then they started running as fast as they could. Even before they reached, the rain poured down, causing Hannah to stop running. It was as if she had been hit by something and could not move. She remained standing there, while Jake was panting but soon stopped because he could no longer hear the footsteps behind him. He turned to look back only to see that Hannah was standing not far away, stunned and was no longer following him.