ZENSITIZED What if you met this person, she was all okay and friendly.

At first you thought it would be impossible for you to like her more than you think. But as time goe s by, you realized you liked her. More than that, you tried protecting her and e very time you're with her you heart beats faster, but here comes fate. You just have to be sensitized. Both of you were only starngers passing by the corridors. You never looked at hi m, so is he. But one activity changed everything and you became interested about him. You just can't admit it but you really were. Would you admit it to yoursel f before fate ruins it? Or will you let it pass and live like before? Sometimes you just have to be sensitized. Color Coding Jara Marrise Dee Mr. James Dee [step-father ni Jara] Mrs. Letty Dee [Jara's mom] Chloe Montiverde Mitch Cruz Zen Andrews Mr. Jack Andrews [Zen's dad] Mrs. Zusy Andrews [Zen's mom] Zara Andrews [Zen's younger sister] Karl Cruz [brother ni Mitch][friend ni Zen] Diane Dela Cruz Have you ever dreamt of a perfect life with a complete family, somebody to love you and friend who'll support you thru out? I've been dreaming that since I was a little child. My dad and mom was divorced 6 years ago and it was really hard t o accept especially I was close to my dad but I can't do anything about it so I accepted it5 whole heartedly. Yeah, I miss him so much but this is reality. And now all I got are my bestfriend, my mom and Kean Cipriano! Asking who is Kea n? The most loved vocalist of the band Callalily! Isn't he adorable? He makes me weak. Jara! Nagulat ako dun ahh. First off, I am Jara Marisse Dee. 4th year highschool and a n out-going kid. I grew up in New Jersey and we transfered here in the Philippin es last year. Wondering why my surname is Dee? It's because my mom married James , my 2nd dad, when I was 12. At start I don't like him but I saw that mom became happy and James gave us the love of a father. I have two bestfriends, Chloe Montiverde and Mitch Cruz. They we're the ones who teached me tagalog, I mean I knew the language of course but I sucked at it bef ore. Now? I kinda get it. Haha! Day-dreaming again sweetheart? Sinabi mo pa. That's her everyday routine! Snap out of Kean girl. Ang dami-dami mong suitors oh. You can't live in a fairytale forever.

After nyang sinabi yun, she slamed my locker at ginit-naan nila ako. What's wron g with day-dreaming? And I don't need a guy you know. And yes! I am still young for guys or whatever they call it. Stop it already, let's just buzz out and enter Algebra. We started walking and as usual we're chatting. Nung malapit na kami sa room, we saw this guy rushing. Ouch! Tiningnan namin yung guy and guess what? Wala lang namang sorry or "let me help you". WATCH WHERE YOUR GOING! Clumsy dude! Good thing I don't cuss or else! Uggh ! *END OF JARA'S POV* ZEN! GUMISING KANA NGA! Aga-aga heto nanaman tayo. Oops! Wait! Ako nga pala si Zen Andrews. Yes, half-am erican and the rest is Filipino blood. I live with my mom, dad and of course, si Zara, ang younger sister ko. Actually third year siya at fourth year naman ako. OPO MA, MALILIGO NA! After taking a bath, bumaba na ako. Kung di, baka akyatin pa ako ni mama. Ganyan kami dito sa bahay, sigawan pero walang sakitan. Ganyan lang talaga kami magpak ita ng concern. Morning pa, ma. Nagbeso naman ako sa kanila. Hey Zar! Kumain kana at malalte na kayo. May kailangan ka bang bayaran sa school or ano p a man? Sabihan mo na ako ngayon dahil.. hinug ko agad si Mama bago pa man nya matapos yung sinasabi nya. Ma, kaya ko na yung mga extra payments ko for projects. Keep the money na lang! Una na kami ni Zara. Pa, una na po ako. Sige hijo. Zara magingat kayo ng kuya mo ha? Nagmano naman ako kay Papa bago pa kami umalis. He may be an American citizen bu t he lives like a Filipino at magaling rin yan magtagalog. Syempre! Nagjeep na k ami ni Zara papuntang school dahil walang time si Papa maghatid ngayon. Oh, ingat ka ha? Eto baon mo oh! Kuya, sobra sobra to ahh. Ibabalik nya sana yung extra kong binigay pero di ko na tingangap. Nagwave na la ng ako at umalis na. Shoot! Late na ako para sa Physics. Tumakbo na ako ng mabal is papunta sa classroom namin. Shoot! May naka harang pa sa daan, and guess who. Sila Jara nga naman. Ouch! Nabangga ko si Jara pero wala narin akong time para balikan sya at magsorry. Sen sya na lang.

WATCH WHERE YOUR GOING! Well, I didn't planned to bump into her. It was a total accident. Bahala na nga. Dumating na ako sa room namin bago pa man nagbell at dumating ang teacher namin . Saved by the bell!Pumasok na ako at umupo na.

You just have to be sensitized. *ZEN's POV* Pagkapasok ko sa room, nagulat ako dahil ang ingay. Usually, tahimik ang classro om dahil nag-aaral pero ngayon mukhang busy ata. ZEN! Thank God you're here. The plan for the float failed! Dinicline ni Ma'am da hil mali ang format at theme ni Martine! Yan si Diane Dela Cruz. Classmate ko at class-President namin. She's talking abo ut the Festival float na project namin for Tech Arts. Diane is an admired girl. Kahit sino magugustuhan sya dahil di lang maganda, mat alino pa. Samahan mo pa ng good traits like responsible and friendly. Kaya nga l ang lahat ng nanliligaw sa kanya eh basted, studies first kasi ang motto nya. We need this before 3rd period starts Zen! I need your help. Tiningnan nya ko sa mata ng mabuti at nagnod naman ako. Need this before 3rd period? I'll give it to you before Physics end. Pagkasabi ko nun saktong dumating yung Physics teacher namin. Habang nagdidiscus s sya ehh ginagawa ko na yung sketch ng float namin. Dude, makinig ka muna. Mamaya na yang sketch. Nagpromise ako kay D na before this period ends tapos na to. Nakikinig naman ako ah! Palibhasa para kay Diane. Shut up! Yan ang long time friend kong si Karl Cruz. Di naman kami bestfriends, di rin al oof. Close friends would be the right term for the both of us. Alam nya lahat sa akin. Kung paano magalit, paano patahimikin at mga bagay bagay pa. Mr. Andrews, what is electricity? Naka taas kilay pa to si Ma'am Lacarma, ang aming mahigpit na teacher. Siya nga lang rin ang kinakatakutan ehh. Matanda na kasi! Haha. Electricity is a general term for the variety of phenomena resulting from the pr esence and flow of electric charge. Together with magnetism, it constitutes the fundamental interaction known as electromagnetism. It includes many well-known p hysical phenomena such as lightning, electric fields and electric currents, and is put to use in industrial applications such as electronics and electric power. Nagpause naman ako.Any other questions Ma'am? No, you may seat down.

After nyang sabihin yun ehh bumalik na sya sa harapan at may sinulat sa blackboa rd. Tinawag ko naman si Diane, humarap rin naman sya. Here's the skecth. Final details na yan at may labels na at materials sa lahat n g gagamitin. If you have any problems sa design, confront me. Kinuha nya na yung papel at tiningnan. Nagnod naman sya at nagthumps up. After n yang makuha ang papel, sakto naman ang pagring ng bell. Sus! Nakasagot sa Physics dahil inspired sa mahal nya. Siniko naman ako ni Karl. Aminin mo na kasi. Tumigil ka nga, nag-aral ako noh and one more thing.. A promise is a promise par e. Di ko rin pwede aminin sa kanya na may feelings nga ako sa kanya. Alam mo yun ! Dahil ba... HOY ANDREWS! WE'RE NOT OVER YET! Mang-gugulo nanaman kayo? Wag dito. *JARA's POV* Tara! Canteen tayo, let's have orange juice Jara! I'm allergic to orange, remember? Uhuh! I am. Weird noh? Pero sabi ni mom I got it sa father's side raw. Wow! That 's amazing. Mitch, alam mo ba sino yung naka banga kanina kay Jara? Nagnod naman si Mitch. You know him? Who's the unpolite moron then? Di talaga ma pigilan ng mouth ko na di makapagsalita ng negative about that guy. Friend yun ni Karl. Si Karl, kambal ni Mitch. Oo! Kambal sila.That was...HIM! Bigla nalang tinuro ni Mitch yung guy na nakikipagsuntukan. Wait! Si

Zen Andrews ang naka banga sa akin? Ok here's the sitch! Zen Andrews is my childhood friend. Dati madalas siya at an g mom nya sa bahay. Parati nalang yan. May pinaguusapan sila ng mom ko with my d ad. Actually I never met my dad. Yeah, nagdivorce sila ni mom and that was it! I never heard a thing again about dad. Nakikita ko lang sya sa pictures nila ni m om at nakaka usap sa telephone. When I turned eight, nagstop na bumisita sila Zen sa bahay namin. Sabi ni mom, u muwi na sila ng Philippines. And now? Heto ako naka tunganga sa kanya. After 8 y ears nagkita na uli kami. Bakit ka ba nakikialam sa away ng may away? What do you care about boy stuff Mis s shimmy-shimmy lip gloss barbie? Shimmy-shimmy lip gloss barbie? How dare he! Tinaasan ko sya ng kilay. Ang kapal ! Di naman to ganito dati ehh.

As a member of the Student Body Organization I have the right to stop that fight ! Anong papel mo sa SBO? Muse? What do you talk about sa meetings? Make-ups? Humak bang sya palapit sa akin at nilapit yung mukha nya at nagulat ako dun ah! Nail p olish? Nilayo nya na ulit yung mukha nya at umiling-iling. Waste of time. Tumalikod naman sya at naglakad pa alis. Nilapitan naman ako ni Chloe at Mitch b ut Karl, grabbed Mitch's wrist. Teach your friend not to join boy fights ok? Teach your friend how to respect girls first. Kambal nga sila pero sa ugali? Super magkaiba. Close naman daw sila dati accordi ng to Chloe pero nung nagka girlfriend si Karl, ehh nagkaroon sila ng gap. Maybe it was because Mitch thought na sapat na silang dalawa para mag-enjoy pero naka hanap ng "first girlfriend" ang kapatid nya. We're having PE class. Tara! Naglakad na kami papuntang locker para magpalit into PE uniforms. WHile we were walking, maraming nag-Hi sa akin. I don't even know them but to be polite, I rep ly. Nung nasa locker na kami konti na lang ang tao dahil nauna na sa field. What are gonna do today nga? Soccer. WHAT?! Nagulat ako sa sinabi ni Mitch at Chloe. Nagnod lang rin naman sila. Lumabas na kami ng locker at instantly pumuntang field. Pagka labas namin na feel ko agad y ung init sa mukha ko. My god! The heat of the burning star, called sun. Nung tuminging-tingin ako sa paligid, napansin ko na dalwang sections pala yung nasa field. And guess what? Section nila Zen.The hell? Why are they here? Tuming in naman ako kila Chloe. Sabay ang PE class natin but we have different teachers. Didn't you know that? U miling lang ako. Malay ko ba klase pala nila yan. Mag-three-three months na ang klase natin Jara, you still don't memorize our sched? Hey hey. I know our sched but theirs? Tinuro ko naman yung other class. Hell I c are! *ZEN's POV* Pare, bakit pa nagkalayo kayo ni Mitch? Alala ko pa dati close na close kayo ehh . Was it all about Maredette? Maredette, ang first girlfriend ni Karl na sa tingin naming lahat ay nagcause ng pagkakaroon ng gap ng kambal. Ewan. We just felt ilang after kong sabihin sa kanya ang about sa amin ni Mare. Tapos nung sinabi ko na break na kami after a few weaks mas lumayo sya sa akin. Ewan ko talaga dun. Napa tango nalang ako. Tara! Labas na tayo, kasabay pa naman din natin ang section nila Jara.

Pagkasabi nya ng name ni Jara iba yung na feel ko. Parang ilang na ewan. Fine! S i Jara ehh childhood friend ko at close si Mama sa mom ni Jara. Pero when I turn ed 8, lumipad na kami ni Mama dito sa Philippines at naiwan sila doon. After tha t, never heard about them. Last thing I knew is last year, new student sya dito at iba na yung apilido nya. I forgot her old surname pero sure akong hindi Dee y un. Tol, they'll have soccer! Nakakatawa isipin si Ms. Muse sisipa ng bola. Tumawa naman kami ng malakas. Inaayos lang namin yung Fiest Float ng section nam in dahil na approve yung details and ideas na ginawa namin. Hey Zen! Tumayo naman agad ako at ngumit kay Diane.Thanks nga pala for helping t he class join the Fiesta Float. Ano ka ba, okay lang noh. It was also my responsibilty D. Hey Diane! Hey girls. If your asking bakit sila magkakilala nila Mitch at Diane it's because sa Studen t Body Org. Yeah. V-Pres si Diane dun and hard to say, ang tinatawag namin na Ms . Muse na si Jara... ang president. Jara, ang pula-pula mo ah? Paalis na sana ako nun pero narinig ko na lang ang isang malaking blag. Pagtingi n ko, nahimatay si Jara. Ang pula-pula nya at ang init ng katawan nya. Nilapitan ko agad sya at binuhat papuntang clinic. Syempre bilang childhood friend,

I also care. Pagka-pasok ko sa clinic nagulat agad yung nurse dahil buhat-buhat ko si Jara. A ng pula-pula pa nya that time. Susme! Anong nangyari hijo? Nahimatay ho dahil sa init. Allergic po kasi sya sa araw. Namumula at nanghihina ho sya pagsobrang naiinitan. Marami ka atang alam tungkol sa kanya? Sige na ilapag mo sya rito at paki kuha y ung id nya. Ho? Kunin yung id nya? Kayo na lang po. Nakapulupot ho sa leeg nya ehh. Nahiya ka pa. Girlfriend mo naman sya dba? Ikaw Zen ha, nagbibinata ka na. Nagulat ako sa sinabi ng school nurse. Napatingin ako kay Jara na parang naka tu log lang ng mahimbing. compared kanina, di na sya gaano mapula at bumabalik na a ng normal nyang kutis. Maputi at mapula ang labi at pisngi. Mana sya sa mom nya. Di ko alam kung kamukha nya ang Dad nya dahil di ko pa naman nakikita. Pero siya? Maging girlfriend ko? Puh-lease!

Heto! Isulat mo dito yung pangalan, section at kung bakit sya nandito. Sasagutin ko lang yung telepono at kukunan ko narin sya ng cold compress. Alam mo naman y an Zen dba? Tumango lang ako. Kilala na ako dito sa H.S Clinic dahil nagtratrabaho ako dito pag Friday's. Minsan pa nga may Saturday ehh. Junior Missionary President ako at napili kong mag-OJT dito sa H.S Clinic. Yung iba naman na assign sa iba't ibang work-ed na nagdidiscuss about sa mga Fil-Tribes. Sabi nga ni Papa ehh papayagan nya ako dito mag-OJT pero sana raw wag ko seryoso hin ang pagiging temporary "school nurse" dahil wala syang balak pag-aralin ako ng nursing. Ayoko rin naman ehh. Ang gusto ko? Di ko pa alam. Basta as of now, m ag-eenjoy nalang muna ako. Napatingin ako uli sa id ni Jara at napansin ang kanyang picture. Napatawa ako, paano ba naman naka peace sign sya sa school id nya. Bihira lang yang ganyan na pinapayagan. Meron bang bar pin na butterfly shape sa id strap nya. Napaka-kikay . Girls. Tssk. Jara Marrise.... Dee. Bakita kaya napalitan ang apilido nya? Napa shrug nalang ako nun. Hijo, heto ang cold compress. May emergency meeting ang faculty kaya maauna muna ako ha? Dadating na rin yung mga kaibigan niyang nobya mo. Sumama naman tingin ko sa school nurse noon. Wag mo muna sya iiwan ha? Sige. Umalis na sya nun at nag-bang nalang ang pintuan. Ang lamig ng compress, nasobra han ata to sa temperature. Naghanap ako ng bimpo sa loob ng clinic pero lahat ba sa kaya kinuha ko na lang ang panyo ko sa bulsa at binalot ko naman ito sa compr ess. Pagkabalot ko nun ay agad na nilagay ko sa forehead nya. Gumalaw pa nga sya pagkalagay ko nun ehh. Mga 30 minutes eh dumating narin yung kaibigan ni Jara. Zen, is she okay? Oo naman. She just fainted because of the sun's heat. Didn't you have any idea s he's allergic to the sun? Didn't you saw her becoming red as a tomato? Nope. We were against their soccer team. Thanks for bringing her here and taking care of her. Tumayo na lang si Zen and asusual, earphones are stuck once again to his ears. I sa pa to eh! Isa't kalahting wierdo! Mmm. Gising na sya Mitch! ZEN! Napatigil ako nung narinig ko si Mitch. Thanks ulit! And please tell my bro ther to stop being a faggot. Magkagalit parin nga talaga sila. *JARA's POV* Mmm. Gising na sya Mitch!

ZEN! Si Zen? Andito? Bakit? Thanks ulit! And please tell my brother to stop bein g a faggot. Anong nangyari? Shoot! Ang lamig ng forehead ko! Ano ba to?! Pagkakuha ko nung cold compress dun ko lang napansin na nasa clinic pala ako. At napansin ko rin na panyo ni Zen ang naka balot sa compress. You fainted Ms. Allergic-to-Sun's-heat-that's-why-you-turned-red! You never told us that fact, pero bakit alam yun ni Zen? Huh? Jara? Tiningnan ako ni Mitch at Chloe ng masama. Di ko naman pwde sabihin na childhood friend ko sya dahil mas magtatanong sila tungkol dati. Dba nag o-OJT sya dito? He should know the symptoms. Nice one Jara! And one more thing di ko naman din alam na aatake pala uli tong allergy kong ito. It was age s since the last time na nangyari to. Nakatingin parin sila sa akin na para bang nawiwirdohan at nagtataka. That's enough! Tara na nga. Hey hey. Not so fast! First off, early dismissal dahil faculty meeting. Second i s you have to return the hanky and say thank you kay Zen. No problem. Mitch, pahingi naman number ni Karl oh. Sabihan ko na bigay nya kay Zen yung hanky at dbaPersonally Jara. Personally. Personally? Me? Zen? Thank You?

NO WAY! I can't! For Pete's sake it's been 8 whole years since we last saw each other un til now. Bigla na lang kami nagkita at yeah, we talked kanina pero the worst par t is we fought. Now I have to say sorry? I can't! May klase sya ng 2:15 sa Art Department and it ends at 3:30. May klase ka din ng 4:00 sa Art Dept dba? So you don't have any excuses Missy! Alam ko pag di ka pu munta. You better go! But-No buts Jara. This is just once.. once! Napa-yuko ako nun. Yes! This is just once. No other time but today. Only today! I can do this. 3:35pm. Art Department, room 302. Gulp! Here I am, standing infront of room 302. Photo class? I never knew Zen was interested in picture takings or whatever they call it. Matagal-tagal rin akong

nakatayo dun. Ewan pero di ko magalaw ang feet ko and slowly now, goosebumps ar e coming out. AIYO! I CAN DO THIS! I started walking papunta sa door. Kakatok na sana ako pero... D, aminin na natin sa kanila. Aminin? D? Alam ko boses yun ni Zen pero sino kausap nya? Tama! Merong open glas s sa kabilang side. Unti-unti akong lumakad papunta dun. And to my fright, si Di ane Dela Cruz pala ang kausap nya. Hindi ka ba napapagod maglihim? Kahit nga kay Karl di ko sinabi ehh. Di naman kita pinagbawalan na sabihin kay Karl ah? You know we can't tell others . If ever my parents will know about this ish, dadalhin nila ako sa States. I do n't want it there Zen! And one more thing, reputasyon ko ang nakasalalay dito! I wasted alot of my time to gain these awards and trust and I don't wanna lose it because of one relationship. Relationship? So it means sila nga. That was a shocker! I never had an idea abou t that. Wala nga sigurong may alam. Now, if nahihirapan ka na. Let's end this! NO! I'm sorry, it's just na nagseselos ako when boys are around you. Nagseselos ako Diane! Do you think you're the only one who is suffering? Of course not. Zen, please un derstand me too. SBO member ako and it's my jobNapatigil si Diane sa pagsasalita dahil niyakap sya ng mahigpit ni Zen. Hindi ko alam kung umiiyak ba silang dalawa or whatever. Basta nararamdaman kong mahal n a mahal ni Zen si Diane and vice-versa of course. I won't let you go Diane... I won't. 4:15pm. Art department, room 305. I won't let you go Diane... I won't. Those words kept playing back and forth sa utak ko and I dont know why. I'm here in my Art class, Portrait painting it is. Di ko rin nabalik ang panyo ni Zen da hil sa nagbell na agad before pa man sila lumabas and I really can't be late sa Portrait painting class ko. My teacher is strict. Ms. Dee! What is the definition of portrait? Told yah she's strict. Napaka talas pa ng boses. A portrait is a painting, photograph, or other artistic representation of a pers on or object. Portraits are often simple head shots or mug shots and are not usu ally overly elaborate. The intent is to show the basic appearance of the person or object, and occasionally some artistic insight into his or her personality of a person. Napa hinga ako ng malalim. Any other question Ma'am? None, you may take your sit. As I was saying, you are going to paint a portrait of somebody special in your life. It could be your father or whoever. I want the portrait before the Holiday Break.Tumalikod na sya nun at nag simulang umingay

ang klase. NO PORTRAIT PAINTING NO FINAL GRADE! COMPRIS? Oui Madame! Yun na lang ang nasabi namin. Our Art teacher is also our French teacher that's why. After nung Art class ko dumeretsyo ako sa Student Body Org room para magche ck ng informations or whatever. Pagpasok ko, nagulat ako at nandun silang lahat. Oh? Wala naman tayong meeting ah. Any problem? Jara, the Principal have some words for you. Nandun narin si Diane, hinintay ka. The principal? Pati rin si Diane? Bakit kaya? Kumatok muna ako at may nagbukas n aman. Pagtingin ko sa loob nagulat ako at nandun si Zen pati si Karl. Good Afternoon Ma'am. Yes Ms. Dee. Have a sit. You maybe wondering why I called you guys, also you two . Tinuro nya si Karl at Zen. It is because I want you guys to assist and plan fo r the Holiday dance which is 2months from now. I know it sounds early but it is better to start now than later. So, are you all okay with it? Nagnod naman kami lahat. I'm used to work with Diane naman so it'll be easy. Nag smile naman si Diane sa akin pero biglang napatawa ng mahina ang Principal namin . No dear, you will be working with Zen. And you Diane, with Karl. WHAT? We're gonna work together? What? I'm gonna work with him? Ma'am I think it would be better if I will work w ith Ms. Dela Cruz because I'm find myself extemely comfortable wokring with her. Right? Pagkasabi ko nun lumingon ako kay Zen. Yeah. What she said Ma'am. No, my decision is final and this is for the better part of the Holiday Party. U nderstood? We all nodded pagkatapos lumabas na kami. Ewan ko pero dismayado ako sa naging d esisyon ng Principal namin. I mean all my years in service sa SBO ngayon lang ak o makakapagtrabaho with a boy... and worst? With Zen. Everything's gonna be alright Jara! Hinawakan ako ni Diane sa shoulders. Kung al am nya lang na na may idea ako about her and Zen but of course I can't and I won 't tell it. Aiyo? Aiyo! Huminga naman ako ng malalim nun. Hey Andrews!Lumingon sila ni Karl sa ami n ni Diane. 5 pm sharp. Art Department, 305! After kong sabihin yun umalis na ak o at agad agad na sumukay sa car. Hey dad! Hija. Dad gave me a hug. Are you ready for thursday? Umayos ako ng upo sa car. Thursday? Ano nga bang meron sa Thursday? OMG! Dad I c an't attend Miriam's debut. I just got a new Holiday project Dad. Sorry! It's okat dear. I understand. By the way your Mom's gonna be back tomorrow. May meeting siya ngayon ehh. So it's just gonna be you and me kiddo! Niyakap naman n

ya ako. Told yah he's the best dad! ;] Thanks dad! But can I request something? Nagnod naman sya. Portrait painting po kasi Holiday project namin, can I... Uhhm. Paint my real dad? Tiningnan nya ako tapos nagsmile naman sya. And of course it means yes! That's w hy I love my family! Haha. ** Nung morning, dumating naman na si Mom and I told her about the Portrait paintin g thing and she also agreed. Ngayon, nandito na ako sa school. Marami-rami narin ang tao at maingay narin. Marrise! You just have to know this. You didn't Chloe! You called me Marrise out loud and you know I hate that nick o f mine! Why girl? Ang ganda nga ng Marrise ehh. So catchy! Thank you but I prefer Jara instead. Hey Mitch. What's the sitch? Nagtinginan muna yung dalawa bago may nagsalita pa. You don't want me to repeat it. Nagback-off ako at tinaas ang kilay ko. Okay. Okay. My brother spoke to me. Just this morning! Really? That's a shocker! Anyways, I have a new project for the Holiday Dance. A nd great! I'll be working with Andrews. Naglalakad parin ako nun. Di ko napansin napaka behind na pala nila. Nakatayo la ng sila at nakatingin sa akin na para bang may nagawa akong malaking kasalanan. Hey hey. I don't know how and why. Basta pagpasok ko sa SBO meeting place pinata wag ako agad at yun nga, sinabi ng Principal na makakatrabaho ko si Andrews and Diane will be working with Karl. Karl and ZeYes! Karl and Zen. I still don't know why them basta sabi lang ng Principal, sil a napili nya. So happy? And yes! I can't join you guys later cause we have to me et and di ko parin nababalik yung panyo nya. Sumabay na ulit sila sa paglalakad. Habang nasa stairs kami eh maraming bumabati . Di ko kilala sino basta bumabati sila. Nung nakarating namana kami sa floor na min, marami narin ang tao pero dahil room namin ang malapit sa stair naka pasok ako agad. Naglesson lang naman kami and all. No quizess or what. Dahil nga malapit na ang Holidays parati to nababangit ng mga teachers namin. Like yung isa pa nga eh tin anong kung sino raw may responsibility mag ayos ng Holiday Party. Syempre di ko sinabi na ako dahil bawal yun. Fine! Sinabi ko kila Chloe but that's the last th ing you're gonna hear from me. Nung dumating na ang afternoon subjects at time na para sa Art class ko. Ako lan g isa nanaman pumunta sa Art Dept. kasi walang klase dun sila Chloe at Mitch. Ak o lang ang kumuha ng intern dun. Nung napadaan ako sa classroom ni Zen, may nafeel akong urge na sumilip pero sye

mpre I resisted dahil bawal yun. Dumeretsyo na ako sa classroom ko. Lahat kami e h busy at may mga suot na apron of course. Nung kalagitnaan na sa classes nilapi tan ako nung teacher namin.. Good combinations Ms. Dee. You don;t have any copy of the "somebody" your gonna paint? None Ma'am. I perfectly know his angles and face structures. Good work Madam Moseley. 4:30 ang end ng klase, which is kaka ring lang ng bell. Nagsi-ayusan na lahat ng gamit except ako. Nagbid goodbye na nga ehh. Hey Jara. Aren't you going? Tanong nung kaklase ko. Tiningnan nya pa nga yung part na napinturahan ko na tap os nagsmile naman sya. If your ready to go out, do lock the doors okay? I have the keys with me so no w orries. By the way, good start! Nagsmile lang ako at umalis na sya. Mga minutes after ako maiwan, biglang nagrin g ang phone ko. Dahil madumi ang mga kamay ko ginawa ko nalang loud speaker. Tut al wala namang ibang tao. Hey! I know I'm on loud speaker cause your on you Art Class. Aren't you done yet ? Si Mitch talaga alam na ang behavior ko. Palabas na nga ho! And besides, it's on ly 4:50 my dear! I'll try to catch with you later. I still have to fix my things . Bye! Short conversation isn't it? Ganyan kami magpakita ng pag-aalala. Teehee! Nung naayos ko na lahat lumabas na ako. Bilang na lang ang mga tao sa Art Depart ment. Nilock ko na yung room at inilapag ko ang gamit ko sa floor at naglabas ng sketch pad dahik kami ni Andrews ang may obligasyon sa settings and all. Nangangalahati na ako sa sketch di parin sya dumadating. Pagtingin ko sa cell ph one ko 5:25 na. Gahhd! Where is that guy! Wala akong magawa and I'm starting to be irritated! kaya sinaksak ko sa tenga ko yung earphones ng MP3 ko and turned t he volume loud. 5:45 na at wala parin sya. Natapos ko na yung sketch at konting colors na lang a ng nilalagay ko. The hell! What is wrong with him? Isn't he sensitive enough! Nu ng sinimulan ko na magligpit at tinangal ko ang isang earphone sa tenga ko, may narinig akong foot steps. Di katagalan dumating din sya and it was exactly 6pm. Sorry I was late. May pinuntahan pa kasi akong usapan ehh. I really didn't have any idea na matatagalan ng ganun and all. Nakatayo na ako nun and still nakalagay yung isang earphones. Dahil na naka type A uniform kami which is blouse and skirt, pinagpag ko muna yung sa likod ko. Th en I started picking up my things at kiuha ko narin yung bag ko. Nung nagka-hara p na talaga kami tumigil ako at tiningnan sya mismo sa mata. Here. I've done my first part. It's all up to you to show it to Diane. And hell I care if you didn't came early. Nakatutok parin kaming dalawa nun sa isa't isa at di tinatangal ang tingin. Mati bay sya? Mas matibay ako.

And next time you'll gonna be late do tell me cause I don't wanna look like a st upid girl outside a locked Art room Mr. Andrews. Nung sinabi ko yun nagstart na talaga ako umalis at naglakad sa corridors. Ewan ko pero ang init ng katawan ko dahil siguro sa galit or what. Uggh! I tell you h e is a big freaking jerk! JARA! Ano naman kailangan nya? Di nya ba maintindihan yung mga sinabi ko. It really do esn't matter. Di ako tumigil sa paglakad ko nun. Fine. If it really doesn't matter then I still wanna say sorry. I made you wait for an hour and you were all alone. And also sorry that I wasn't sensitized enou gh about your feelings and sorry....

I was worrying about you the whole time. *ZEN's POV* 4:o6 pm Pare, naalala mo ba yung sinabi kahapon ni Michael? May tatapusin pa kayo ngayon ahh. May sinabi ba si Michael kahapon? Di ko narinig ehh. Bahala sya. Di naman ako na ghahabol ng away eh. Sila humahabol sa akin. Tumawa lang si Karl. Nandito kaming dalawa sa Art class parin at naghihintay ng bell. We are still discusing Photo lighting. Alam ko na lahat yan. Hehe. Finally , mga after minutes of waiting, nagbell na talaga. Paglabas namin ni Karl dumeretsyo agad kami pababa dahil magiiwan pa kami ng lib ro sa locker. Nung nasa may 2nd floor na kami which is we call the Mezanine dahi l practice place lang yun, nakita agad namin yung grupong ayaw kami tantanan. Mg a extra nga naman sa buhay ko. Well, ano? Simulan na natin Andrews? Wala akong panahon. Meron pa akong school meeting Michael! Pwede ba. Paalis na sana ako nun pero humarang agad yung dalawang bakulaw at sinuntok ako nung isa pero naka layo ako agad. Kung maitatanong nyo kung kailan nagsimula ang hidwaan na to, actually, 2 years ago? Oo. 2nd year ako nun. Nakalaban namin sa isang basketball game ang grupo ni la, simula nun naging mortal na kaaway nanamin ang isa't isa. Siguro halos every day eh may away kami pero alam naman ng SBO members at ng teachers na hindi kami ni KArl ang nagsisimula. Pagtingin ko ulit sa relo nakita ko na 5 minutes to 6pm na. Ganun ka bilis yung oras at ganun ka tagal ang naging suntukan namin. Di naman ako masyadong nasakta n, konting lip cut lang ang nakuha namin ni Karl pero yung kaibigan ni Michael e h ultimo bugbog dahil sinalo nya lahat ng suntok. Karl. Nakalimutan ko! I need to go! Huh? Tumakbo na ako pataas at di na naghintay ng kung ano mang explantion or que

stions ni Karl. ZEN! SAN KA PUPUNTA? Nasa may pa 3rd floor na ako na stairs nun nung narinig ko ulit si Karl. I NEED TO MEET UP WITH JARA! Ang stupid ko talaga! Di ko naisip na may naghihintay pala sa akin at hell! Pinahinrtay ko pa ng isang oras. Ayaw na ayaw ko pa naman ng g anito. Nakarating narin ako sa 4th floor. Konti na lang ang mga ilaw na naka on at wala ng mga klase. Tiningnan ko ang mga room numbers at nung nakarating na ako sa ro om 303 napansin ko na may babeng naka upo sa floor... Si Jara nga. Di ko alam paano sya lapitan kaya nagdahan-dahan muna ako. Kinuha nya yung gamit nya at naka lambitin ang isang earphone. Sorry I was late. May pinuntahan pa kasi akong usapan ehh. I really didn't have any idea na matatagalan ng ganun and all. Nakatayo na sya at mismong nasa harapan ko. Naktingin sya sa mga mata ko, titig na titig. Walang gusto bumitaw at walang gusto magsalita. Here. I've done my first part. It's all up to you to show it to Diane. And hell I care if you didn't came early. Naghand over sya ng sketch ng stage at kung anong itsura nito kung meron ng desi gns. Napamangha ako nung nakita ko yun. Ang ganda ng combinations ng colors at a ng strokes. Napaka professional. Napatingin ako sa room number. 305? Tama! Art C lass. Painting and all. Kaya naman pala ehh! And next time you'll gonna be late do tell me cause I don't wanna look like a st upid girl outside a locked Art room Mr. Andrews. Pagkasabi nya nun. Inalis na nya ang tingin sa mata at nagsimula ng maglakad pal ayo. JARA! Di parin sya tumigil sa paglalakad at ni mismo di lumingon. Naglalakad ako ng sinabi.. Fine. If it really doesn't matter then I still wanna say sorry. I ma de you wait for an hour and you were all alone. And also sorry that I wasn't sen sitized enough about your feelings and sorry.... I was worrying about you the wh ole time. Napahinto sya nun ng mga ilang seconds pero agad ring naglakad ulit. Nakaliko na sya dun sa corner at ako naman ang napahinto sa paglakad. Di ko alam bakit ko y un nasabi basta biglang lumabas sa bibig ko. PERIOD. Don't get me wrong na I'm hitting on her! Of course not. Girlfriend ko si Diane and I love her so much so there would be no way I'm gonna play another game ok! Wait.... Maghihintay yun si Jara sa shed at for sure nandun si Michael. That faggot! *JARA's POV* Thinking about me the whole time? Yeah right! Ano yun a big joke? The nerve of h im. Kung di ko lang alam na sila ni Diane I could think na he's hitting on me pe ro as what I've heard the other day sobrang mahal nga nya si Diane and there's n o way na he's doing and saying this. WAIT! Why am I thinking about him? ENOUGH! This is a whole lot of !@#$. Uggh! Hey Jara! Waiting for you dad?

Napatingin ako. Sino nga to? Right! Si Michael, yung naka-away ni Zen yesterday that made me so irritated once more. Nope. I'm more like waiting for Superman to save me from you. He laughed. Mukhang fake na ewan. Loser! Your funny Jara. Tara hatid kita. Hinaw akan na lang nya bigla ang wrist ko. Wait! Wait! Your way over board of touching me and no I wasn't joking. Ayaw nya parin ako bitawan at hinila nya ako papunta sa kotse nya. Ang lakas nit ong kumag na to! Ang sakit rin ng hawak nya! Ugggh! Faggot! Hoy Michael! Napatingin kaming dalawa sa likod namin nung may sumigaw na lang bigla ng pangal an ni Michael. Nagulat na lang ako nung nakita ko ang isang lalaking pawis na pa wis at hinihingal pa. Oo... Si Zen Andrews nga. Bitawan mo nga sya at lumayo-layo ka. Bakit naman kita susundin? Sino ka? Si Master Zen? Ang korny mo talaga kahit kailan! Palapit ng palapit si Zen sa amin. Lalong nahalata ang kanyang pagka-hingal. Sig uro tumakbo to galing 4th floor. Ang laki pa ng butil ng pawis nya. Tumahimik ka na lang nga at lumayo. Ako ang maghahatid kay JarDi pa man natatapos si Michael sa pagsasalita, sinuntok na agad ito ni Zen kaya naman nabitawan ako ni Michael at napa-upo ako dahil ba naman sa strength ni Mic hael eh. Lalapit na sana sa akin si Zen nun pero napatayo si Michael at binira si Zen sa polo nya. Pagharap ni Zen nasuntok naman agad sya sa pisngi nya. Nakita ko na du mudugo yung lips ni Zen. Sobrang lakas ng bleeding. Nasuntok nya sa tiyan si Mic hael at di na talaga makatayo si Michael. Lumapit na si Zen sa akin at tinulungan akong tumayo. Inalalayan nya ako at kinu ha nya yung dala kong books. Tara! Takbo na. Pagtingin ko sa likod nandun na yung friends ni Michael. Di ko alam paano nya ak o napatakbo, basta ang alam ko tumakbo na lang kami at nakarating sa isang 24-ho ur Shop. Sandali! Napatigil ako sa pagsasalita dahil sa pagod. Malayo na to sa school. Hu minto muna tayo rito. Huminto nga kami at pumasok sa Convenience Store. Pagpasok namin naka all eyes s a amin or shall I say kay Zen. Paano ba naman dumudugo parin ang lips nya. Sinabihan ko si Zen na maupo muna sya at hinatiyin na lang ako dun. Ginawa rin n aman nya. Kumuha ako ng 2 malamig na mineral water at isang ice pack. Habang nagbabayad na ako sa cashier, tinanong naman ako ng babae.

Napa-away ba yang boyfriend mo hija? Napa-ubo ako nung pagsabi nya ng word na "boyfriend". Ngee! Ngumiti na lang ako at ganun rin yung babae. Nung papunta na ako kay Zen napansin kong naghahanap ata sya ng panyo. Napahawak ako agad bulsa ko. Nung malapit na ako sa kanya inabot ko na yung panyo ko na n akabalot sa ice pack. Aalisin nya sana yung panyo pero tiningnan ko sya ng masama. If your thinking na baka madumihan ang panyo, it's okay. Malalabhan naman yan eh h. So, i-balot mo yan uli dyan. Ginawa naman nya. Inabot ko na sa kanya yung tubig at binuksan ko narin for him. Nakinta ko ring may bruise pala sya sa left cheek. Sabi ng iba madalas raw maga way ang grupo ni Michael at silang dalawa ni Karl. Nung napansin ko na ang oras kinuha ko agad ang phone ko at tumawag kay Dad. Hey Dad. Uuhm. Yeah I know it's already 6:30pm. Sorry to inform you late Dad. I' m here at my partners crib. Yes Dad. I'll be home before 8pm. Yes Dad. Bye. Nakatingin naman sa akin nun si Zen. Siguro nagtataka dahil sa mga sinabi ko. Okay. It was just a white lie and don't ever judge me by it! And stop staring pl ease. Na amaze lang ako dahil di ko ini-expect na a President of an org will tell a li e to his Dad. Cut it off Andrews! Umirap ako nun. Siguro matagal-tagal rin kaming naka-upo. Hinihintay ko lang nam an na matapos sya ehh. Tumayo sya nun at may binili. Di ko alam kung ano. Ang st upid nga ehh. Habang nagbabayad sya ehh may hawak hawak na ice pack at nakalagay sa lips nya. Pagbalik nya naglapag sya ng instant noodles na may hot water na. Dalawa pa yung binili nya. Akin eh bulalo flavor which is my favorite. He still remembers? Nah . Maybe yun lang talaga yung napili nya kasi wala lang. Here eat some before ka umuwi para naman di mo sabihin kila Mitch na ginutom kit a at pinaghintay pa. Natawa naman ako nun. Nakita ko syang nagsmile at naka lagay parin yung ice pack sa lips nya. Bulalo flavor yan ah. Syempre! Your favorite. Kanina nga pala ahh. Sorry kung pi nahintay kita at pinatakbo ng malayo. Kasi naman dumating yung barkada ni Michae l. Kaya ko naman sila lahat ehh. Pero kasami kasi kita at

ayokong mapahamak ka. ...ayokong mapahamak ka. Pagkasabi nya nun, tumingin sya sa akin. Matagal-tagal rin kaming nagkatinginan tapos bigla na lang syang tumawa ng malakas. Nakaka inis! Kala ko pa naman talag a sya parin yung dati na mabait at di pala pintas. Kala ko pa nga dati bakla si

Zen ehh. Paano ba naman mas astig pa kong gumalaw sa kanya. Pero as I see now? H e did changed. Di parin sya tumigil sa kakatawa kaya tinapunan ko ng corn chips at nashoot sa b unganga. Nagchoke naman siya. Buti nga sayo! Tumayo na ako nun at kinuha ang mga gamit ko at lumabas na ng Convenience Store. Pagtingin ko sa labas ang lakas ng ulan. Sobra! Napaka bad timing naman oh. Jara I'm soNapatigil siya sa pagsasalita at nakatingin lang siya ng diretsyo. Hindi ko alam saan siya nakatingin pero nakikita ko na malungkot ang kanyang mga mata. May waiting shed sa tabi nung Convenience Store kaya dun na lang kami nagpalipas . Habang tumatagal kami dun lalong lumalakas ang ulan at kumokonti ang mga tao a t sasakyan na dumadaan. Napatingin ako sa cellphone ko at nakitang walang message ni tawag. Napatingin r in ako sa oras, 7pm palang. Ang bagal ng oras pagumuulan. Have you ever wondered why people are sad if it's raining? Nagulat ako nung bigla na lang syang nagsalita at nagtanong. Hindi ko naman alam anong sasagutin. Sa States kasi kung umuulan man masaya parin kami. Patuloy lan g sa mga ginagawa. Madalan rin umulan dun, snow pa parati. Have you ever tought there's someone for you behind this crowded world? Of course, depende na lang kung hahanapin mo siya o hindi. But what if I already found her, pero feeling ko hindi ako yung "right one" niya ? Is he talking about Diane? Sa tono niya parang oo. Kung hindi ko siguro alam na sila magiging curious talaga. But what the heck? I heard about it all. Paano mo naman masasabi na hindi siya ang "right one" kung sinagot ka niya dba? Napatingin siya sa akin na para bang may alam ako sa kanila ni Diane. Meron nama n talaga eh. Tama nga ako. Nagchuckle siya. Tama na sa alin? Ikaw nga yung nakita kong palayo sa room 302 kahapon. Napa upo ako ng maayos ng di-oras nun. Nakita niya pala ako? Paano? Kailan? Ba't di ko napansin? Ba't di niya ako sinita? Sana kung ano man yung narinig o nakita mo, ilihim mo na lang. Alam kong bestfri ends kayo nila Mitch pero sana kahit ito lang eh di mo sabihin sa kanila. Maasah an ko ba? Inabot niya ang kamay niya, a sign of shaking his hands perhaps. Tiningnan ko la ng ito pero syempre tinangap ko. Pagabot ko sa kamay niya, may bigla na lang tumunog. Ang tugtog pa nga eh Jeepne y ng Spongecola. Binitawan niya ang kamay ko at umabot sa bulsa niya. Cellphone lang pala niya.

Hello D? Yes. I'm here at the Convenience Store. Waiting for the rain to stop... I know I know. Don't worry I'll go home when the rain stops. I will D, I will. Okay. You keep safe too. Love you! Habang kausap niya si Diane sa phone nakatingin lang ako sa kalsada, napaka tahi mik na at ang naririnig ko na lang eh ang mga luhang binubuhos ng ulap at ang bo ses ni Zen. Di ka ba magpapasundo? Dad and Mom isn't home. They went to Bora for my cousins birthday. Wow! Rich. Tiningnan ko siya ng masama. Ayaw na ayaw ko talaga na sinasabihan ak o o ang family namin na mayaman or whatever. Sorry. Sorry. Bigla naman nagvibrate ang phone ko at pagtingin ko, text message from Chloe. Sender: CHLOE<3 Hey girl! how's first day of work with Mr. Arrogant? txt me okay? Ito talaga si Chloe ang tingin kay Zen, arrogante. Sabagay, minsan yun talaga an g image niya eh. Pero I guess kung kikilalanin mo siya ng husto okay naman siya, pilyo nga lang at times. Kung di ko siguro to kababata, sinuntok ko na to. Pero ang malaking tanong bakit nga ba natigil ang communication namin sa kanila? Ewan ko ba. Matanong ko nga m insan si Mom. Mag aalas otso na Jara. Di ka pa ba uuwi? Kung maghihintay pa tayo na matapos an g ulan baka abutin pa tayo ng bukas dito. Gusto mo ha-

Ligo tayo sa ulan Zen. *ZEN's POV* Ligo tayo sa ulan Zen. Nagulat ako sa sinabi nya kaya napalingon ako ng di oras. Okay lang sya? Ang lak as ng ulan at alas otso na ng gabi. No way! Hindi pwede. Magkakasakit ka, ako mapapagalitan ng parents mo, ako pa may kasala nan kung ano man mangyari sayo. Basta! Hindi pwede. Tumingin sya sa akin na parang hindi alam kung anong mga pinangsasabi ko. Para s yang bata na walang kamuwang-muwang. Ang sungit mo talaga kahit kailan. Dinilaan ko naman siya. Wala akong maisip na gawin ehh. Bahala ka nga sa buhay mo! Hmph. Nilapag niya ang gamit niya dun sa chair at bigla na lang tumakbo sa street. Dah il ito'y isang subdivision, wala na masyadong dumadaan na kotse. Defiant. Tsk! N apaka tigas ng ulo nitong babaeng to. Jara! Bumalik ka na nga. Umuwi na tayo. Please lang! JARA! Wag ka ngang sumigaw, di ako bingi noh.

Yun naman pala ehh. Di bumalik ka na rito. Ayoko nga! Napa sigh na lang ako. Ayaw ko naman maligo ng ulan pero parang sinasabi ng utak ko na sundan ko si Jara para matapos na to lahat. Nakaka inis! Nagdadalawang isip parin ako. Paano ba naman kung susundan ko siya, for sure mag tataka si Mama ba't basang-basa ako. Pero kung di ko sya susundan, baka maghinta y pa ako ng ilang oras dito. Di ko naman pwede itong iwanan. Kundi patay ako di lang sa Principal kundi pati kay Diane. Ayaw mo ba talaga maligo? Sigurado ka? Kung maliligo ako, walang jeep na magpapasakay sa akin pauwi. Ang korny nito. Magpapasundo naman tayo ah. Tayo? Okay ka lang. Makabilang dulo ang bahay natin Ms. Dee. Kaya please lang ta ra nanaman oh! Ayoko nga! Hindi ako magpapapigil sa isang korny na lalaki noh. I never asked fo r a brother, and now what? Your acting like one! Ha! Same here. I never asked for a braty sister and now your being one! I swore I am not a brat! No comment. Nagwave naman ako at tinalikuran ko siya. Kasi naman eh! Ang kulit. No, wait! NA PAKA KULIT. Di pa ba siya nilalamig sa ginagawa nyang pagbababad sa ulan? Lord! Ba't naman kasi ito pa kasama ko ngayong umuulan ehh. Naman oh! Kinuha ko na ang cellphone ko at napansin na may text pala si Diane. SENDER: D ^_^ Hey Zen! Aren't you home yet? Si Jara, naka-uwi na ba? Don't you dare leave her alone or else... Ingat! Mwah. =* Haay. How I wish I can go home na D! How I wish. Nung pinapanood ko si Jara na tumitingin sa langit at naka bukas ang palad. Kina -catch niya yung mga raindrops. Para talaga siyang bata. Batang di alam paano ub uusin yung oras niya, batang di alam kung saan pupunta at isang bata na walang p aki alam kung anong susunod na mangyayari. Nung pag-lingon ko sa kanan, nakita ko na may kotseng rumaragasa. Tumayo ako aga d at pumunta kay Jara...... Nakita ko na lang na biglang tumakbo si Zen papunta sa direksyon ko. Yun pala eh may papuntang kotse sa kinatatayu-an ko. Nagulat lalo ako nung hinawakan ako ni Zen sa bewang ko. Hindi ko alam anong gagawin basta alam kong palapit na yung kotse sa aming dalaw a. Hinawakan ko na lang agad siya sa bewang niya at sumang tabi kaming dalawa. Nagkatitigan nanaman kami pero ngayon ang kaibahan lang ay nasa ilalim kami ng u

lan. Nafefeel ko na unti-unti ay nababasa yung uniform ko at ang lakas ng kabog ng puso ko. Para bang lahat ay naka pause. Pero habang tinitingnan ko yung babae na nasa harap ko ay iba ang nakikita ko. Hindi ko alam paano at bakit ganito pe ro ang nakikita ko ay si....

Diane?! *JARA's POV* Diane?! Pagkasabi nya nun parang tumigil ang paghinga ko at napalayo ang tingin ko. Inal is ko ang paghawak nya sa bewang ko at lumayo ako ng ilang steps. Napaka awkward ng moment! I think... it's too late. Uwi na tayo. Nagstart na akong maglakad pabalik sa shed. Kinuha ko ang phone ko at nagtext na kau Kuya Jun, ang dakilang driver namin. Hindi ko alam pero habang nagtetext ak o, nanginginig yung thumb ko. Hindi ko ma identify kung sa lamig ba or dahil sa nangyari. Nakita ko na pabalik narin si Zen sa shed. Kinuha nya ang gamit nya at tumayo du n sa tabi ko pero this time mas grabe yung distance. Okay okay. Syempre naiinis ako dahil napagkamalan nya akong girlfriend niya. It' s not a big deal actually pero masakit parin kung tutu-usin. It's a big bummer f or me you know. I hate comparing or whatever you call it. Siguro mga after 30 minutes, dumating narin ang kotse namin. Papunta na sana ako dun sa mas malapit na spot, pero biglang grinab ni Zen ang kamay ko. I'm sorry for what happened kanina.I really didn'tZen, stop! I've heard alot of sorry's this day so please, whatever happened disr egard it. I'm not your girlfriend so you don't have any obligation or whatever w ith me.We're partners for the Holiday project and that's it! Nagnod naman siya. Binuksan ko yung pinto at nakita ko na palakad siya sa other way. Ang tigas din ng ulo nito noh?! Hey hey. Remember I promised na ihahatid ka so don't you ever turn your back at me. Basa ako, wag nalang. Anong tingin mo sa akin? Tuyo na? Just hop on okay! Ginawa rin naman niya ang sinabi ko. Marami na syang nagawang mali for a day san a naman wag na niyang dagdagan pa. I'm already pissed off. Oh hija? Ba't basang basa ka? Saan naman natin iihatid itong kaibigan mo? Napatakbo kami sa ilalim ng ulan ehh. Siya nga pala Kuya Jun, si Zen. Zen, si Ku

ya Jun. San ka nga ba nakatira? Dun ho sa Lizeralde Village. Umandar din naman kami. Actually, mga 6 or 8 blovks away lang yung Lizeralde Vil lage from school kaya madali lang kami nakarating. Pero all the time, tahimik ak o. Si Kuya Jun naman at Zen naguusap tungkol sa mga kotse. Dito nalang ho sa pulang gate. Nagstop naman kung saan niya tinuro. Salamat ho K uya Jun. Tumingin naman siya sa akin.Jara, thanks nga pala. Ako na lang bahala d un sa sketch. Sure. No prob. Bumaba naman na siya at dumeretsyo na kami ng bahay. Pagkauwi ko eh naligo agad ako, utos kasi ni Manang Lenny. Pagpasok ko sa CR, naka handa na lahat lahat. Fr om bubble bath to towels and all. Siguro mga 45 minutes rin ako sa CR. Nung pagbihis ko, tumawag naman agad si Mit ch. Alam kong si Mitch yun dahil daily routine namin na magtawagan basta 9:30pm. Yes, 8:30 na kami umalis dun sa shed. Hey. So how was the do-a-holiday-project with Mr. Andrews? The usual things I do with Diane. Discuss, talk about it and make sketches. But. . But what? We had less talks. And why is it you had less talks ei? Mitch! Stop the oh so questions your throwing at me. I just got home okay. And g ahd! It was raining indeed. Masyado ata mabilis yung pagsasalita ko kaya napasigaw si Mitch sa telephone. WAIT! Pareho kaming tumahimik sa phone at naghihintay na may magsalita. Ang weird nami n noh? Ganyan talaga kami. Minsa nagsisigawan, minsan sobrang tahimik.... Just l ike now. Okay okay. Let's talk this over lunch tomorrow. I think your really tired and my brother is bugging me. No no. You wait! What's with the brother thing now? Di mo pa ba siya pinapatawad ? It's already over year yah know. Yeah. Over a year of not telling me about him and Maredette. If di pa nadulas si Zen I won't know a single thing. If di pa natin tiningnan yung friendster profi le niya, we won't have a damn clue. Ano bang ikinagagalit mo? Him not sharing everything! I thought we wereYou thought you were twins that shares your life in a box. You thought you were best of friends that gives props to every single things you do. You thought... t

he whole world revolves around the both of you, isn't it? Tumahimik naman siya. Basi sa mga narinig ko over a year now, close na close nga si Karla Michelle Cruz, which is Mitch and si Karl Michael Cruz. Yeah, they're twins and all pero before magstart ang 3rd year, naging malabo yung magkapatid. FINE! FINE! You make the whole point but still, di pa okay ang lahat. You don't have to shout! Just promise me Mitch that you guys will be okay by the Holidays? Please.. I'll try. ** Dun na natapos yung phone patch namin ni Mitch. Nakatulog narin ako after nun, n apagod rin ako noh and I tell you, it was a very long day. Nung pagpasok ko sa school marami-rami narin ang tao sa corridors. And guess wha t who first approached me? Yes. Si Diane. Magkatabi sila ni Zen ata naguusap. Ku ng di ko siguro alam na silang dalawa ehh iisipin ko na friends lang sila. Paano ba naman ni holding hands or what wala. Hangang magkatabi lang. Jara! I saw everything you drew. As usual, maganda parin. I loved it! I tell you . Napangiti lang naman ako. By the way, bago ko pala makalimutan, ikaw at si Zen ang bahala sa banda. What? Kami? Yes, kayo! Dahil director naman ang mom mo Jara, mas madali kayo makakakuha ng b and. Pwede ba? Oo naman. Di na ako bago dyan! Totoo naman ehh. Like last year, kami rin ng mom ko ang nag pa-schedule ng perfo rmance ng Bamboo. Yeah, Bamboo was the hit last year dba? Actually hangang ngayo n, but as I said, loyal ako sa Callalily. Aaw. Kean Cipriano. Haha. So, what band would you tell your mom na pupunta sa Holiday Dance? Callalily. Nagkatinginan kami tatlo dahil sabay pa naming sinabi ni Zen yung name ng band. Bingo! Maayos yan dahil paborito pa kayo ng fave band. So, ikaw na bahala nun Ja ra ah? Just tell me ano pang kulang and all. Nga pala, ako na bahala sa Opening Banners natin. Okay. I'll go ahead. I think it's time for me to buzz out! Nagsmile lang naman si Diane at si Zen sa akin. Umalis na ako at dumeretsyo sa r oom namin. Pagdating ko run ang inggay, grabe. Jara, kanina ka pa hinahanap ni Ms. Malasmas. Okay, here's the sitch, Ms. Malasmas is our Adviser for the school year and at t he same time siya rin ang Physics teacher ng buong Seniors. There you are. Okay, class I know sanay kayo na walang absents or any excuses si Ms. Dee but today, I'll break the record. She won't be around because of a very

special assignment that I'll give her. I hope I won't hear any negative feedbac ks from this class. Understood? Nagnod naman ang buong klase. Kami kasi ang first section kaya inaalagaan namin ang pangalan ng section namin at ng adviser namin. But the thing na nagbobother sa akin eh ba't niya ako pina-excuse? I know your wondering why your excused for the whole day, don't worry cause I'll give you make up quizes for any subject kung meron man. ANyways, it's the last week of October so it's E.F.S time once again. E.F.S? Exchange Foreign Student sweetheart. OMG! I almost forgot. E.S or as we Seniors all know Exchange Student. Sa Seniors lang nangyayari yan. Yung class president ng isang section eh ma-a-assign na i-welcome or i-turo laha t lahat sa Exchange Foreign Student lahat about sa school. From it's history to places. Sa Seniors lang siya dahil feel ng Admin ng school namin na kami lang ang makaka -handle ng ganitong work. Though merong foreign students sa ibang year levels pe ro sila yung mga early enrolled yun. Napili ang klase nyo dahil compared sa iba, 48 lang kayo. Remember, two students dropped out nung middle ng school year? Yeah. May dalawang nagdrop out. First was Jonas Go, nagmigrate sila sa Italy nun g mid August after ng death ng Dad niya. Second was Krista Marie Soco. Di naman talaga siya nagdrop out eh. Bigla na lang siyang nawala after nung isang inciden t. So, that makes our class 48. So, kayo ang napili ng School Admin na tatangap ng Foreign Student at as Class P resident you have the job to introduce alot of things to your new seatmate. Will I expect good compliments from you Ms. Dee? Nagnod naman ako. New seatmate ei? Gulp! Good luck. Pati for sure, you'll be good at it. I know you can handle Mr. Jamir Valdez. Jamir Valdez? Yes. A half-American and a half-Italian blood. His Mom and Dad seperated months ago so he decided to apply sa E.F.S and this happened. Siya nga ang napili dahil sa maganda niyang compliments about Philippines and our school. Heto ang Applic ation Form niya. Inihand over naman sa akin ni Ms. Malasmas ang Form nung si Jamir. Tiningnan ko ng mabuti at binasa yung "About Me" section niya. I'm not really a big deal in this extra-ordinary world. I'm more on a pest on th e others eyes but I never let them ruin my life for it's the only thing I can tr easure behind fears and traumas I recieve from people's taunts. And yes, I applied at E.F.S because I want to meet someone. Someone who can make me say..... You complete me. Gahd.

Who can Jamir Valdez be? Who can Jamir Valdez be? After nung 45 minute drive form our school to E.F.S station, naka feel na talaga ako ng kaba ngayon. I really don't know why but I think this isn't very ordinar y. I mean nung Junior years ko, I heard of E.F.S na. Yung mga things you do and how you do it. From my Alumni friends, sabi naman nila masaya raw lalo na kung i kaw yung naka compel na gawin yun. Haay. Hayaan na nga natin. Naglakad kami papasok, napansin ko agad yung mga bata na iba't iba ang mga lahi. I mean when you walk around the streets of Manila or simply the Philippines, yo u'll know with just a glimpse na Pinoy nga to. Pero dito lahat magkakaiba. May m ga Korean, Japanese and Americans. You stay here, I'll just talk to the Admin okay? Nagnod lang ako at umupo dun sa bench. Nasa tapat ako ng garden at napansin ko n a lahat ng pots eh may names. May mga nakalagay pa dun na "I'M ASIAN" tapos may naka drawing na peace sign. Ang ganda tingnan. Nung pinagmamasdan ko ang paligid bigla na lang nagring ang phone ko and I wans' t suprise na si Chloe nga. Hey. Where the hell are you? E.F.S Station. E.F- OMG! Exchange Foreign Student? Tayo ang napili? Yeah. Gulat nga rin ako eh. Ano sunod nyong subject Chloe? Spanish Class. Bummer! So, who's the new student? Gwapo? How can you know na gwapo if she isn't telling you na lalaki. Narinig ko naman si Mitch sa background. Natawa na lang ako bigla. Ang kulit tal aga nitong dalawa. Haha. I just feel it! ANO KA BA?! Enough! Yeah. He's a guy, Jamir VAldez. Haven't seen him and don't know anything about him either. Jamir Valdez? Quite interesting. Lahat naman para sayo interesting eh. Let me talk to her.[cough sound] -Jara! So how's it going? Fine, pero Mitch. Kinakabahan ako ehh. I really don't know who is he or what has he been doing with his life tapos ngayon eto na? I'll be assigned to tell him a bout class A and school. Tapos seatmate ko pa tapos ano-

Your scared to fall for him, aren't you? SILLY GIRL! Of course that won't happen. You know falling isn't a crime Jara Marrise! Stop it! Okay okay. Talk to you later. Madam I-ate-a-Spanish-dictio is here already. Tata ! Pagbaba niya ng phone, natawa na lang ako bigla dun sa last part na sinabi niya. Pagtingin ko sa screen ng phone ko, 10:o7 AM na pala. Di ko man lang napansin n a I already missed to major subjects. Uggh! Hey. Nung may nagsalita napatingin ako sa right side ko. YUn pala eh isang Korean boy . How did I know na korean sya? He has a bar pin sa laft side ng shirt niya sayi ng "I AM A KOREAN." Ang cute nga tingnan eh. Nagbend naman ako para magka level kami habang naguusap. Ang cute nung bata. Map uti at chinky eyes. Typical asian as others say. Hey there cute little boy. Your not an E.F.S right? No.. I'm not. But I'm here to get one. Your going to adopt somebody? Napatawa ako how he speaks. For a korean boy, magaling siya mag english pero yun g accent niya eh ang funny. Puno ng joy at ang ecstatic niya pa. It's for our class. He's gonna study with us. How bout you? Oh! I'm waiting for my foster parents and I'm excited. Humawak naman siya dun sa bag strap niya at nagtumingin siya dun sa paa niya. But for sure I'm gonna miss E.F.S and my friends. How bout you? Are you missing somebody now? Me? I'm missing my dad as of now. It's been 8 years since I last saw him. Sorry about that, don't worry I'll make you smile. Really? And how? Humawak na lang siya bigla sa shoulder ko at naglean. Kiniss niya ako sa cheeks and I found it sweet. For a lil boy like him ang dami na niyanga alam at nakatut uwa siya. Nagblush naman siya nung pagka harap sa akin. Haha. Napa tawa kaming p areho. Kamsahamnida. That's thank you in Korea. I do speak a little of their language. Actually nung nasa States pa kami, parati akong kinukulit ni Mommy na mag-aral ng Hangul[Korea n Language] at Mandarin[Chinise Language] so I can understand James', my second

dad, parents. Half-Chinese lang sila pero syempre compel parin to know their own language. Chin. Seven years old. Hinand out naman niya yung kamay niya as a sign of shake hands. Jara. Nagshake hands naman kami. Ang cute niya talaga at ang daming alam for a seven y ear old kid. Jara. Napatayo naman ako nun dahil dumating na Ms. Malasmas. The papers for you new classmate is already fixed. So, I would like you to meer Jamir Valdez. Pagkatapos niyang sabihin yung pangalan ni Jamir, tinuro naman niya yung nasa li kod ko. Bago pa man ako maka lingon may nagsalita na. Hey.

Nizza per averla qui. Nizza per averla qui. Nung pagharap ko, magulat ako sa nakita ko. Isang mid-built 5'6 guy na may wavy neck-length hair. Di ko masasabi na curly dahil para lang naman siyang nahangina n, not like the dread locks other guys have. He also has almond shaped Hazel eye s. So this is Jamir Valdez? Oppa! Naghug naman na sila ni Chin, yung korean boy. Is Jara your new girl? Tumingin si Jamir sa akin nun at nagsmile, so I smiled back. Ang puti ng ipin ni ya at ang red ng lips niya. Don't put any malice okay! I'm just observing here. No, she's not my girl but she'll gonna be my new seatmate. Nag one last hug naman yung dalawa before pa kunin nung teacher at dumeretsyo na sila sa loob which is papunta raw ng library. Nagsign din naman si Ms. Malasmas na sumunod kami sa kanya. I really don't know where the hell are we going. Nadaanan naman namin yung playground, but this time it was a sobbing playground. Makikita mo yung grupo ng American girls, nagiiyakan. Of course it's because na magkakahiwalay sila at madalan na magkita. Sad ain't it? I also experienced that yesterday with my Italian friends. They le ft earlier than me.

Nakatingin parin naman ako doon sa mga nagiiyakan. Naalala ko na naging ganyan r in ako dati with my U.S friends when we were about to leave States nung Febuary last year. So, your the class A president? I haven't been on a class A before and I think i t would be a good experience this year. But my Filipino sucks. You know how to speak tagalog? Oo. Napatingin ako bigla sa kanya at pareho kaming napatigil sa paglakad. That's yes in Tagalog right? Every E.F.S member is obliged to know you language if we chose to go here. When did you started to join E.F.S? Febuary of this year. But I only decided months ago for the place I'm going and I chose the Philippines. You've been trying to learn Tagalog for 6 months already? Yeah. But hey it's hard you know especially when we also have to learn about you r culture, holidays and manners. Like the po and opo? Nagnod naman siya. We also study to study about your national heroes. Jose Rizal died on December 30 right ? So that's a holiday. Natawa naman ako sa mga sinabi niya. I didn't had any idea that it's also hard t o be an E.F.S member. You have to study alot of things about the place you chose . What if I was an E.F.S member and I chosed Cambodia? I have to study about it? Gahd. Dumating rin naman kami sa breakfast table. May sarili kaming breakfast table ni Jamir cause according to Ms. Malasmas, we have to do the "meet your new friend" thing. I'll start it off. Habang kumakain naman ako at nakatingin sa food ko. Nagsimula naman si Jamir magsalita about him. I'm an only child, my mom died after giving birth to me and my dad died when I was 12. After my dad died, I really didn't h ad any idea what to do. I mean there was nobody else to keep me except for my dr unk-ass Aunt. Because of her I learned how to smoke and because of my mates I le arned how to use drugs! Napatigil ako nun sa pagkain nung sinabi niya yung drugs. Sino ba namang di magu gulat sa sinabi niyang yun. Syempre naman! Drugs na yan noh! That's way off the limits. Hey hey don't look at me like that. I got rehabed for two months and I really di dn't got addicted to it or what. After I got out of the rehab I joined E.F.S and learned about your culture and all. Here I am, eating with you. His life was pretty interesting. I mean for a teenager, he got rehabed, his dad and mom died tapos he's already here. I mean, ironic isn't it? Okay. My turn. I'm also an only child. My mom and dad seperated when I was 7 and she married again when I was 12. I grew at the U.S of A. Specifically at New Je rsey anThat's why you speak fluent English. I get it! Uuuhm. Yeah. We transefered here in the Philippines when I was turning 15. I sta

rted the school year being a Junior here. And now that I'm 16, I'm a Senior. Nag giggle naman kaming dalawa. I am the Student Body Org President and class A Pre sident as well. Wow! Kudos for you. So, what is your most favorite subject? I love painting and that's my last subject everyday so I'll consider it as my fa vorite one. Your into painting? Cool. When I was inside the rehab center I paint too. Actual ly until now but I only paint views and not people. Why? I also don't know. But I guess when I meet "somebody" who'll able to change my v iew about painting a person, I'll prolly paint her first. Napa smile naman ako dun sa huli nyang sinabi over breakfast. I found it really sweet na if he'll meet somebody yun yung una niya i-pa-paint. After breakfast du meretsyo na kami sa school inaayos yung papers niya. Na register na siya and he ll start tomorrow. Dahil excused naman na ako kaya pinatuloy ko na lang the whole day. Tinext ko rin si Diane na di kami magmemeet ni Zen ngayon. Don't get me wrong, I'm not pissed at him or what. I just thought na I'll take a rest and an off sa school works. Nandito naman kami sa school shed ni Jamir. Sabi kasi ni Ms. Malasmas as possibl e magtalk muna kami so wala ng ilangan or hiya moments at masanay narin siya sa Philippines. So, you wanna go somewhere? Uuhm. I only got to go at the big malls here. So prolly you wouldn't wanna go there now. Nothings entering my mind kung saan maganda pumunta. Kung sa beach? Masyadong ma layo at ang init rin naman kung doon kami. I didn't agreed na sa mall kasi mapup untahan naman yun anytime. Kung saI know!

I'll take you to tierra de la maravilla. *ZEN's POV* After nung lunch, PE agad ang subject namin kaya deretsyo na kami sa field ni Ka rl after nagbihis. Compared nung isang araw, ngayon hindi namin kasabay ang clas s A. Pero nakita ko si Mitch at Chloe magkasama. Asan si JaZen. Jara told me wala raw kayong meeting later. Wala? Bakit raw? She was assigned for the E.F.S. E.F.S? Binigyan ko ng strange look si Diane na m ukhang na gets naman niya. Exchange Foreign Student.

Aah. No wonder class nila ang napili. It's not like that. Compared sa atin, 48 lang sila kasi may dalawang nagdrop out . At, sandali nga, you still have 2months for that project. Don't frustrate your self. Ako pa ang frustrated ngayon? Eh siya nga tong halos everyday after Film and Pho tography class namin deretsyo agad sa ballet class nya or kung di naman dun, SBO meeting. Di ko alam bakit siya pa ang minahal ko... Natapos yung Film and Photography class ko by 3:40. Si Karl naman may Algebra re medial pa dahil nalate siya sa Algebra class niya kaninang morning. Nung palabas na ako sa classroom, nagring na lang bigla yung cellphone ko. Pagtingin ko si Z ara, ang sister ko. Napatawag ka? Kuya, samahan mo naman ako. Pagrinig ko sa boses niya, naka feel ako na may problema to. For a junior higsch ool girl, mature narin at open na si Zara for alot of things. Sige, asan ka? Nandito sa baba ng Art Building. Nagring off na siya agad pagkasabi niya nun kaya pinuntahan ko na agad. Nakita k o siya sa may stairs naka upo at dala-dala ang kanyang mga gamit. Nilapitan ko n aman siya at inabot ko ang kamay ko para tulungan siyang tumayo at kinuha ko nar in ang kanyang kamay. Kung tatanungin, oo, close kaming dalawa. Pareho kaming pinanganak sa States per o lumaki sa Filipino culture. Dati talaga madalan namin makasama si Papa kasi ac cording kay Mama na busy si Papa with work. Naitindihan namin yun. Pero ang gumu lat lang talaga sa amin nung kailangan na namin iwan ang America at heto nga, na padpad ang mga Andrews dito sa Pilipinas. The usual? Nagnod naman si Zara at dumeretsyo na nga kami sa lugar kung saan kami parating nandoon pag may problema man o wala. Pagdating namin doon naglakad-lakad muna kami. Medyo cold ngayon ang mood ni Zar a, ibigsabihin me problema talaga to. So? Bakit ganun kuya? I mean I'm trying my best to be kind towards sa iba pero ganun parin, mahirap. Alam mo you don't have to please anybody para maging complete ka at ang buhay mo . You must be happy with simple things. I mean I'm trying to be one. To be one of them or to be just you? Tiningnan naman niya ako which naglead para tumigil kami maglakad. Nilapitan ko siya at hinawakan ko ang face niya.

Alam mo, you don't have to stress yourself. In reality, no one can escape death. You just have to enjoy it and live like no worries! Nagnod naman siya at nagsmile na. Hinug niya rin ako. Kaya ko love tong little s ister ko ehh! Tiningnan ko naman siya. Bakit, di pa ba sapat sayo na may gwapo kang kuya katulad ko? Natawa naman siya. Kung saan kami papunta yun ang di ko alam. Kung saan man mapa dpad, bahala na. *JARA's POV* Kung saan kami pumunta eh sa isang butterfly sanctuary. As what I said, it s a but terfly shelter pero meron ring mga fish ponds, picnic place at lake. Actually da ti isang plain playground raw ito na ineronavate hangang sa naging ito. It's act ually called wonder land pero dahil ito ay super common na, initranslate na nila ito Italian, that's why it's called tierra de la maravilla. Dahil sa malaki yung place, nagdecide kami na maglakad lakad na lang muna at sye mpre, di mawawala ang paguusap. Have you ever fell in love? Napatingin ako sa kanya nun at natawa pero syempre p inipigil pigil ko. Hey! I'm serious here. Sorry I was just shocked. But to be honest, I haven't. Really? There are alot of cute guys at New Jersey right? I really don't know cause I focus more on my studies way back and until now. How bout you? Met alot of girls in E.F.S? Actually yeah, but we parted ways cause she decided to be sent at Africa. Africa? Weird ei? She said she wanted to help people and also comfort them. I can't do a nything but agree on what she likes for I am not his boyfriend. Nakita ko yung sadness sa mga mata niya by that time. Kung ikukumpara sa buhay k o, mas madami na ngang nangyari sa kanya like yung iniwan siya ng kanyang parent s, tapos naiwan siya sa tita niya na merong mga bisyo. Kung tatanongin niyo naman ako, I never parted with my parents ng di babawas sa 3 days at wala ring mga bisyo ang tita or tito ko. Of course I never left home w ith Kuya Jun na driver namin. Pretty boring huh? Hey hey. Tumayo naman siya sa harap ko. I know it's only been what? 6 hours of c ompany we got but you know my family background and I also know yours. We'll gon na be classmates for the rest of the school year and I know we might change, so can we make a promise? Tiningnan ko siya ng ibang kind ng look pero gets ko naman siya kaya nagnod ako. Promise me we'll be friends forever? Even if the sun will explode or the moon wo n't shine anymore, will still be friends right? Inabot niya yung kamay niya as a sign ng hand shake. I think he's doing this bec ause I'm his first ever friend here sa Philippines and as the assigned student, I shall do my job. And he's right, we only met for how many hours but I already

feel comfortable with this guy whom had alot of things to discuss. Naghand shake naman kami at nagsmile towards each other. After nung promise maki ng nagdecide kami na pumunta sa Lake Shore, isang part sa tierra de la maravilla . Nung nadun na kami nakita namin na may ibang tao pala dun. Usually kasi pagpumun ta ako dito, walang tao kasi ito yung pinaka tagong place sa tierra de la maravi lla. And to my shock, si....

Ikaw? Ikaw? Nagulat na lang ako nung makita kong nandun siya at may kasama siyang girl. I me an the girl is not Diane and... Hey! Lumapit yung girl sa amin ni Jamir. Zara Andrews, younger sister of Zen. Yo u guys are? Jamir. An E.F.S guy. Nagshake hands naman sila. She's Jara by the way. Hi Jara. Tumingin siya sa akin tapos binalik niya nag tingin niya kay Jamir. So your an E.F.S? Welcome aboard! Jamir, this is Zen from class C-II, our batch mate. Hey. Nice meeting you. Nagshake hands naman sila. Tapos biglang tumingin sa akin si Zen at nagsmile rin naman siya, so as return I smiled back. Inaamin ko naiilang ako. Who would expe ct them here right? Who would expect him here pa sa favorite place ko. Why not let's have some snack together so we could know more facts. Nagnod naman kami lahat and nagagree na kakain sabay-sabay. So, where are we eating? Kate's Place. You love eating at Kate's Place? Kuya loves that resto! I think you just found y our soulmate nice guy! Pagkasabi niya nung soulmate word, I felt something heat rushing inot my spine. I dont know why and I don't know what was it basta na feel ko na lang. Dumeretsy o na nga kami dun sa place and as expected madami-dami ang tao dun dahil masarap naman talaga ang food. Dahil walang ibang table naupo kami dun sa saktong for f our persons lang. So, Jamir tell us about you. Okay then. I was born at Italy on the 24th of November and my mom died after giv ing birth to me. Oh! I'm sorry about that. No, it's perfectly okay. It was way way back. Anyway, when I was 6, dad decided to transfer at Jersey City so we could be with our relatives. Unfortunately, dad died when I was 7 exactly his birthday. Tragic huh? But I accepted things smoot hly.

Your life is so sad. Way back yeah, but when I entered E.F.S it was all good now especially I'm here with you guys. My first friends. So, do you have a place to live in while you here? Yes, it still belongs to the E.F.S sisters. Actually I've been here 2 weeks alre ady so I know the directions and all. Nung dumating na yung food namin ganun parin, naguusap si Zara and Jamir about I taly and all. Tahimik lang naman kami ni Zen. Ewan ko pero talagang ilang ako la lo na magkatapat pa kaming dalawa sa table. Hey Zen, Jara. Parehing kaming tumingin kay Jamir. Orange? I'm allergic to orange. Sabay naming sinabi yun. Impossible naman na ginaya nya ako or vice-versa dahil di naman namin pinagusapan yun. Nagkatinginan lang kami that time at walang masa bi. Really? You are allergic to oranges? Way back I thought my brother was the only one who had that allergy but now I don't think his AB-normal anymore cause you h ave one too. What's the side effects when you eat one? I get this itchy red spots all over my body and it's..shaped like hearts. Di ko inexpect na same pa kami ng symptoms. Nagulat talaga ako. We both love to eat at Kate's Place tapos we both are allergic to orange and we have same sympto ms pa. How weird is that?! Nung pagkatapos namin kumain eh may na suggest na fact si Zara. Kuya, why not ihatid mo na sila Jamir at Jara cause my friend is here already, s abay na lang ako sa kanya. Okay then. Di na kami umangal nun dahil gabi narin at madalan ang cab sa place na yun dahil they protect the privacy of the place kaya exclusive lang siya para dun sa mga may car at di rin ako masusundo ni Kuya Jun kasi magpaayos raw siya ng wheels. Nung pagsakay namin nasa likod ako at yeah, front sit si Jamir. Nagkukwentuhan n amain sila ni Zen about sports and all. At dun ko lang nalaman na dapat ay magva varsity pala si Zen sa basketball pero ayaw niya dahil studies first ang drama. Here we go. Thanks Zen. Jara, why not transfer here at the front. Bumaba naman na si Jamir at pinagbuksan ako ng pinto sa likod. Nagsmile naman si ya sa akin at before ako pumasok.. Thanks! Thanks for a great day. Nagsmile ako pabalik at sumakay na. Habang nasa highway na kami tahimik parin. W alang gusto magsalita. Actually gusto kong itanong kung totoo ba talaga yung kan

ina pero it would be very silly I know. Jara. Nagulat ako pagsabi niya ng pangalan ko. How did you know about the Amore Fountain? Ang Amore Fountain is kung saan kami nagkita kanina. Yun ang pangalan dahil yung fountain eh shaped like heart tapos doon pumunta yung mga tao kung gusto nila m agwish about things. I don't know. I just remembered that when I was walking alone there last year, m y feet brought me there. How about you? Same as yours. This is so getting into my nerves. I mean we both love the same resto and we bot h have the same allergies. Don't tell me it also rained on the you were born? Na patigil siya sa pagdradrive at pinark niya doon sa sideway. Bakit ka tumigil? It rained on the day you were born? Yeah. Don't tell me it also rainedYes. I was born on the 21st of June. Thank God! 29th of August. After nun, nagdrive na siya ulit. At least alam kong di kami twins or what. Ganu n kasi sa movies dba? They both have same allergies, favorites tapos umulan pa s a day kung kelan pinanganak. At least we both have different birthdays. Tsaka I know impossible yun mangyari kasi we both have mothers at for sure naman magkaib a sila. Pero if ganun nga, bakit kami magkapareho ng allergies, favorites and yung ibang stuffs. This couldn't be fate or what. Dumating na kami sa bahay nun. Nakita narin ako ni Kuya Jun kaya lumabas siya at pinagbuksan ako ng door. Thanks for the ride and for the time. Pababa na sana ako nun sa car pero bigla na lang niya ako hinawakan sa kamay kay a napatingin ako

We could be friends right? It's already the third week of November, yes our sembreak is already done. Maybe nagtataka kayo what happened after nung hinatid niya ako sa bahat and told me t he we-could-friends phrase eh naging okay na kami. I mean wala na masyadong hiya an. Sometimes pag nasa Algebra class or detention si Karl, sumasabay siya sa amin ni la Mitch at Chloe mag snack sa hapon. Pati pag naguusap kami about sa Holiday Pr oject na hinand over sa amin maayos naman lahat at nagdadala pa nga si Zen ng Ch inese food dahil merong bagong resto na nagbukas sa harap nung school. If your asking about Jamir, okay naman siya towards sa mga classmate namin. Nung first week niya ang dami na agad naging close sa kanya pero dahil seatmates kam i he keeps telling me ako parin ang pinaka close niya na friend. Pagmorning saba

y siya sa amin maglunch pero pag hapon he's with his "global friends" na ka batc h namin and sabi niya they're having a great time. It's Friday today and I'm not feeling well kasi na ulanan ako kahapon pauwi. Di kasi ako nasundo ni Kuya Jun dahil hinatid niya sila Mom at Dad sa airport. They 're on a 3 week trip. Hey girl! Matamlay ka ata? No, I'm fine. Kulang lang sa tulog. May homework ba tayo? Wala naman pero new lessons ata. Na survive ko naman ang morning schedules ko at naging okay naman though I kept sneezing. Ilang ulit rin ako tinanong ni Mitch at Chloe if I wanted to rest na l ang but umayaw ako kasi ayaw ko maka miss ng lessons. It's already 5pm, kakatapos lang ng Art Class ko. If your asking about my portra it project it's all good. Konting touch na lang at mga color combinations ayos n a sya. Wala pa ngang nakakakita eh. I want it to be a suprise. Naka tangap ako ng text from Zen na medyo malalate daw siya ng ilang minutes. Co mpared dati na pinapaabot pa namin kila Diane or Mitch, kami na mismo ang nagtet ext ngayon. From: Zen Will be late okay? Bawi na lang ako sa somai mo. Alam niya kasing favorite ko ang somai at paano nito pinapagaan ang loob ko if I 'm stressed with stuffs. Mga 5:30 na siya dumating at dala-dala niya yung Chinese food na binili niya per o napansin ko na medyo gloomy siya. Bakit kaya? Oh, bakit ganyan mukha mo? Mukha kang nawalan ng girlfriend. Nagsmile lang siya pero nawala rin agad sa face niya. Mukhang may problem nga to . Nilapag niya yung food sa floor. Binuksan niya yung somai tapos dun sa kabilan g side ng tupperware nilagyan niya ng toyo at kalamansi. Alam na alam na niya na routine ko yan before kumain ng somai. Inabutan niya ako ng chop sticks at kinuha ko naman. Kinuha ko yung isang somai pero di ko pa sinubo. Tiningnan ko si Zen na naglalagay ng mga basura sa plastic . Tumingin naman siya bigla sa akin kaya nagcause na nahulog sa palda ko yung so mai. Bigla ako napa-pout. Tingnan mo anong nangyari. Kumuha siya ng tissue at pinunasan yung palda ko. Aagawin ko pa nga sana yung ti ssue pero nilayo nya yung kamay niya. Nung matapos niyang punasan yung palda ko tumingin siya ulit sa akin at bigla nalang pinisil ang ilong ko. Aray! Masakit yun ah! Para ka talagang bata. Ang kulit mo kasi kaya yan ang nangyari. Ginulat mo ko eh! After nung usapan na yun nag trabaho na kami for the Holiday Project. Nasabihan ko narin so Mom about sa banda pero aayusin niya pa raw. Ngayon inaayos namin yu

ng design ng invitations para sa party. Ako yung gumawa sa girls at siya naman s a boys. Jara? Mmm. How would you act infront of someone close to you but you had this big fight the led you guys to something serious? I don't know pero for sure I'm still going to be myself and all. Bakit? had a fi ght with someone? Wala naman. Konting misunderstanding lang yun pero I think it would really be an end. And end of what? Your acting weird again! After kong sinabi yun tumahimik nanaman siya. May malaking problema talaga tong lalaking to! Napaka ewan. Mga after 20 minutes siguro nagring na lang bigla yung phone niya at heto nanama n po tayo sa mala dramatic Jeepney ringtone niya. Sinagot naman niya ito agad. Sino kaya yun? *ZEN'S POV* After nung paghatid ko kay Jara nung almost last week nung October okay naman na kami lahat lahat. Mas naging close kami pati narin nalaman ko na di pala talaga siya maarte pero ang takaw lalo na pag somai. Since nung nagdala ako ng Chinese food sa Holiday Project meeting namin nalaman ko na favorite niya pala ang somai with toyo't kalamansi. Natawa pa nga ako nung first kung paano niya gawin yun eh pero later on, nahawa rin ako. After class ko bigla na lang ako nilapitan ni Diane at gusto raw niyang makipagu sap kaya tinext ko muna si Jara na malalate ako ng kaunti. Dumeretsyo naman kaming dalawa sa room 302 kung saan talaga kami naguusap from t hen on. So, ano paguusapan natin? Dalian natin D, naghihintay kasi siSino? Si Jara? Parati na lang si Jara Zen! Wala na akong ibang naririnig sayo ku ng di Jara. Simula nung maging partners kayo you started acting like this. Ano bang pinagsasabi mo? She's my friend for God's sake Diane, don't tell me pin agseselosan mo siya? Oo! Pinagseselosan ko siya. Yan! Pwede mo kong tawanan. Everytime I see you with her it seems that your happy with her. Dahil mas may oras pa siya sa akin kesa sayo! Inamin mo rin. So, you like her huh? That's not the point! You've been acting like we're just friends since this rela tionship started and I'm tired of it. Ayaw mo sabihin kahit ni kanino kaya pareh o tayong nahihirapan.

I told you the main reason already. We can't tell them and you know that Zen! Dahil masisira ang reputation mo? Dahil mawawala lahat ng dreams mo? So, you wan t to persue your dream? Fine. So, this is a break up? You asked for it. After ko sinabi yun lumabas na agad ako dahil di ko matake yung intense naming d alawa. Sa lahat naman nagpwede niyang pagselosan si Jara pa which is just one of my good friends. Napaka babaw ng reason niya! Dumeretsyo naman ako sa meeting place namin ni Jara after kong bumili ng Chinese food for the both of us. Nagsmile naman ako sa kanya at prinapare yung food. Bi nigyan ko siya ng chopsticks pagkatapos kong iprepare yung somai niya. Kumuha si ya ng isa pero di niya pa to kinain. Pagtingin ko sa kanya bigla nahulog yung kinuhang nyang somai at namantyahan yun g palda niya kaya naman kumuha ako ng tissue at pinunasan yun. Aagawin pa sana n ya yun pero nilayo ko ang kamay ko. Pagtingin ko sa kanya naka pout pa sya nun at para siyang bata. Bigla ko nalang naisip na i-pinch yung nose niya. Aray! Masakit yun ah! Para ka talagang bata. Ang kulit mo kasi kaya yan ang nangyari. Ginulat mo ko eh! Pagkatapos naming kumain nagstart na kaming mag work for the Holiday Project at as it goes on, okay naman siya. Kinakausap pa raw ng mom niya yung about sa band at ngayon we're busy for the invitations kahit it's still a month ahead. Ako ang naka assign sa boys kaya ginawa ko tong ala-rock design. Nagapprove rin naman si Jara dito. Nung tiningnan ko siya na nagske-ketch ng drawing for the gi rl's invitation, na force akong magopen ng topic. Jara? Mmm. How would you act infront of someone close to you but you had this big fight the led you guys to something serious? I don't know pero for sure I'm still going to be myself and all. Bakit? had a fi ght with someone? Wala naman. Konting misunderstanding lang yun pero I think it would really be an end. And end of what? Your acting weird again! Mga ilang minutes ago siguro may bigla na lang tumawag. Pagtingin ko si Karl pal a yun. Bro, may pinapasabi si Ms. Gemma.

Oh ano raw yun? Importante ba talaga? Oo eh. Wala raw kasing boy representative sa pagpunta dun sa isang province sa H istory Class. Ano ngayon? Your going with Diane raw. WHAT?! Oo. Punta ka raw agad dito sa Faculty to divide things out. Sige sige. Pagtingin ko ulit kay Jara, nagdradrawing parin siya at naka MP3 pala kaya paran g walang narinig. Tumayo ako at niligpit ang gamit ko pero wala parin akong naku ha na reaction galing sa kanya. Jara, Ms. Gemma's finding me so I have to go. Sorry to leave you here. Ang drama mo! Sige na, you go ahead at susunod na ako in a while maybe. Naglakad na ako at nung malapit na ako sa stairs, tiningnan ko siya. Bilang isan g close friend ko I think I have to let her know. Jara, Tumingin siya sa akin at tinangal yung earphones niya. Puno parin ng joy yung mg a mata niya like before. What? Your just gonna look unto my eyes? Bumalik siya sa pagtingin sa kanyang sketch at nandun parin ako sa stairs. Hindi ako makapag pigil na hindi sabihin sa kanya. Me and Diane just broke up. *JARA's POV* Me and Diane just broke up. WHAT? WHEN? BAKIT? Chill down Jara. Hinawakan niya ako sa shoulders ko at nag calm down naman ako. We broke up just today, before I got here. Nagka misunderstanding kami dahil... Dahil? Nakatingin lang siya sa akin nun. Hindi ko alam kung sasabihin ba nito or what pero nung tumingin ako sa mga mata niya na gets ko na. Tinuor ko ang saril i ko nun at.. Sa akin?nagnod naman siya. Pinagseselosan ka niya dahil raw ikaw na lang parati ang kasama ko at.. parati n a lang raw ikaw ang bukang bibig ko. But, don't think that I like you it's just that your my Holiday project partner. That's all. AndTinangal ko yung pagka-hawak niya sa shoulders ko at tiningnan ko siya. You don't have to explain this stuffs to me, what you have to do is talk to Dian e. She's your girlfriend, not me. Now, if your not going to talk her, I will.

No. We will go on a week trip for History class. I'll fix things there. Nagnod naman ako at kinuha ko na yung mga gamit ko and baba na sana ako nung big la na lang niya akong hinarangan. I hope nothing will change between us. I wasn't expecting this and sana di magba go ang tingin mo towards me orDon't worry. Di ako ganyan ka babaw para magalit agad sayo. May karapatan siyang magselos, naiintindihan ko yun. Now, if you want to have her back go and talk t o her. He smiled at me and started walking away. Nung nasa may corner na siya ng corrid or, he looked back and waved. I don't know if I shall be happy na determined siy ang maki pagbalikan kay Diane or mainis dahil ako ang reason ng paghihiwalay sa kanya. After namin magusap that time, dumerestyo muna ako sa class A na room at tiningn an kung sino pang andun. Wala naman akong nakita kaya pumunta na lang ako sa Fac ulty para iiwan ang keys. Nung papunta na ako eh umuulan pala kaya napatakbo ako ng wala sa oras. Pagdatin g ko sa Faculty room nabasa ako ng konti at di ko alam na nandun pala si Karl, Z en at Diane. Oh? Ba't basang basa ka? Karl, it's raining. Sense please. Come on Jara, tulungan kitang mag dry up sa CR . Dahil hinawakan niya ang kamay ko at pareho kaming pumunta sa CR. Kinuha pa nga niya yung stuffs ko at nilagay sa may sink na tuyo. Inabutan naman niya ako ng i sang towel para sa shoes ko na medyo na basa rin kaya pinunasan ko naman. After kong pinunasan yung shoes ko nilagay ko yung towel sa sink at binasa ng wa ter para malaman ng janitor na madumi yun. Inabutan niya ulit ako ng towel at ti nulungan ko niya ako i-dry ang hair ko. Alam kong sinabi sayo ni Zen yung nangyari. I know you might think I'm pathetic buBut you love him? I understand you okay. Siguro nung pagkasabi ni Zen, nagulat a ko pero naiintindihan kita Diane. We are both girls. Wala akong balak agawin si Zen sayo. If you love him, fight for your love. Lalabas na sana ako nun dahil tapos narin naman akong maglinis. I started to get my things at inaayos ko yung palda ko. Palabas na ako nun pero bigla niya akong tinawag. Jara. Napahinto ako sa paglalakad nun. Thanks! *** It's the third day na wala si Diane at Zen dahil nga dun sa Province trip. 3 da ys narin na wala kaming contact sa dalawa. Sinubukan ni Karl tawagan si Zen one time pero cannot be reached. Dahil din wala si Zen, parati kami walang meeting f or the Holiday project pero later parin ako umuuwi dahil sa SBO meetings. Papunta na ako sa locker ko nun nung nakita kong may tao pa pala sa school. Medy o familliar siya sa akin. Nung malapit na nakilala ko na.

Jamir. Oh? Hey Jara. What you doin' here so later? We had SBO meetings..again! How bout you? Global friends. Didn't notice it was too late. Kumuha ako ng books sa locker ko., mga pinahiram kasi yun ni Mitch. Nung pagka k uha ko pa nung isa nahulog ito sabay-sabay sa floor. Nagpout naman ako nun nung pagtingin ko. Kinuha ko naman yung stuffs ko at tumulong si Jamir. Have you told your family to fetch you already? Umiling naman ako. Good! Let's h ave dinner then. Nagulat ako sa sinabi niya. Kinuha niya yung mga libro ko at hinawakan ako sa ka may. Tumakbo naman kaming dalawa. Siguro mahaba-haba rin yun pero bigla na lang siyang nagstop. Nasa tapat kami ng isang resto, isang American resto. Nagsign naman siya na kung gusto ko ba daw dito, nagnod naman ako. Pagpasok nami n ang ganda nung scent. Mala red rose ang amoy. Umupo kami dun sa may balcony da hil gusto raw niya makita ang stars. After naming kumain, we both decided na maglakad-lakad dun sa may park na malapi t. Nung pagdating namin dun wala masyadong tao kaya mas may space kaming maka pa glakad ng walang nabubung-go. So, what topics are you busy in your SBO meetings recently? I noticed you had me etings three straight days huh? It's old issues. There's this member who keeps bugging us to change the uniform rules. He said leather shoes sucks. Napatigil ako ng paglalakad dahil nagstop siya. Tinaas niya yung right foot niya at shinake-shake. Why? This shoes are good and feet friendly too. Tumawa naman kaming dalawa. Hone stly, it's my first time to have this kind of shoes as our uniform. When I was a t Jersey, there was no uniform and in E.F.S, sneakers could work. Tama naman siya eh. Ang laki ng pinag-iba ng schools dito at sa States or kahit saan. Sa Philippines, di lang studies importante kung di pati uniforms at ang mg a programs. They've been making it a big fuss since then. You know, since I got here I felt so light. I got friends like you guys and also my global friends. It just feels so... good! Don't you miss the people you left at Italy or Jersey? Also at E.F.S? Of course I miss them hard but you know, you can't just miss them everytime. You have to learn how to make friends with others, learn how to be happy with other s, learn how to bond with others. This is life, you have to go with changes and others. Napa reflect ako dun sa sinabi niya, tama naman siya eh. People makes alot of ch anges and sometimes you can't do anything but go with it. But you know what made me feel so happy when I started to meet you guys?

What? I had you as my dearest friend. I had you as my dearest friend. Nagulat ako sa sinabi niya nun. Nagkatinginan lang kaming dalawa that time tapos bigla na lang siyang nagsmile. Tag your it! Nagulat na lang ako nung tinag niya ako that tumakbo siya. Syempre sinundan ko s iya at tinag. Nagstop lang siguro kami nung napagod na at malapit na kami sa end nung park. Eventually, it was a great dinner with him. Madalan lang to mangyari sa lahat na nagiinvyt sa akin magdinner. Kasi after ng dinner deretsyo movies tapos uwi. Ga nyan parati. Kung di naman movies, somewhere more formal. Kasi yung mga yun na n agiinvyt puro anak ng friends ni Mom at Dad. Kung baga, anak ng mga mayayaman. Here's your ride. See you tomorrow! Thanks for a great night. No, thanks for the company. Inopen naman niya yung door at nagsmile kay Kuya Jun. They met already last time nung sinundo rin ako ni Kuya Jun sa school. Pumasok na ako nun sa car at nagwav e na kami as sign of bye. Hindi ata si Zen ang kasama mo ngayong week? Aba hija, hinay hinay lang. Kuya Jun! Ano ba naman yang iniisip mo? Kaibigan ko lang silang dalawa. Naninigurado lang. Mahirap masaktan hija. Bigla na lang nagring yung phone ko at pagtingin ko si Jamir. Yes? Look at your right. Pagtingin ko nadaanan namin yung playground dun sa may park at nandun siya nagwa ve ulit. Your crazy! How did you get there so fast? I runned. I'm an athlete remember? Drop it! You know your not in the condition to run. Don't worry, for you I'm in a good condition. *** Friday na ngayon. The last day of school nanaman. After nung sinabi ni Jamir nun g isang gabi, ewan pero I felt something. I mean his sweet and all towards me pe ro wala naman siguro yung ibang meaning right? Kasi kung meron towards Jamir....

it's confusing me. ************************************************************* *ZEN's POV* Fifth day na ngayon ng trip kaya we, the representatives, were give a chance na maka rest at maka paglibot-libot sa place. Una ko namang ginawa eh pumunta agad sa beach na malapit. Ang tahimik dun dahil walang tao at linis pa. Humiga ako sa sand at pinikit ang mga mata ko. Ewan pero ang una kong naisip eh yung mga tao sa school. Kamusta na kaya sila Karl? May Algebra class pa kaya yun kada hapon? Sila Mitch at Chloe? May cheerdance practices pa kaya yun or badmin ton game? Si Zara? Kamusta na kaya yung makulit kong kapatid? Si..... JaCan we both talk? Narinig ko na lang na may tumawag sa pangalan ko. Pagtingin ko si Diane pala. Ag ad naman akong umupo at tumabi siya sa akin. I know our break up wasn't good and it was such a low excuse. ButNo, I totally understood. Your a ow anong inisip ko pagsabi mo na l pala talaga ako. Sometimes, us la ko ako lang yung nagwowork sa girl and you can't stop that feeling but you kn your jealous? Sabi ko agad sa sarili ko na maha guys can tell if the girl gets mad. Oo, dati ka relationship nato.

Alam ko marami akong kulang and I realized it late. Na realize ko na lang lahat nung nawala ka na sa akin. This past few days with you made me think over and ov er again na I want you back... I hope you feel the same. Actually I do but I guess not now. Tumayo na ako nun at pinagpag yung sand sa pants ko at nakatingin lang siya sa a kin nun. Inabutan ko siya ng kamay and she took it. Naka tayo na siya ngayon at magkaharap kami. Of course I still love you D, but I don't want the same thing happen. We'll keep the relationship and what next? Magaaway nanaman tayo. Persue your dreams first . Maybe after highschool we will meet up and you'll still be in my heart. Nagstart na ako maglakad nun pero siya, naka tayo parin at di gumagalaw. Medyo m alayo-layo na ako nun bago pa man siya nagsalita ulit. But what if by that time hindi na ako ang nasa puso mo? I stopped from walking pero I didn't faced her. Next thing I knew naka yakap na siya from my back. I love you Zen. I can't afford to lose you. Hinawakan ko ang kamay ni Diane pero ginawa ko dahil kailangan kong alisin yung

pagkaka yakap niya. Actually, naguguluhan ako. Mahal ko parin siya pero ayaw ko na maulit yung dati. Kung mahal niya talaga ako ipaglalaban niya sa lahat ng tao dba? Umalis ako sa beach ng may dala-dalang tanong sa utak ko. Ano nga ba ang dapat k ong gawin at paano gagawin? Mga 1:30pm kami umalis ng province at almost lahat sa trip tulog. Kahit inaantok ako I can't sleep. Kinuha ko na lang yung phone ko at may signal na nga. Ang da ming messages. Mga over 18 messeges din yun. Puro galing kay Karl, Zara at sa ib a pang friends. Ang last ko binasa eh from Karl. From: Karl Pare! Musta ang buhay probinsya? Kayo ni Diane? Nasabi ko narin pala kay Karl na kami ni Diane at yung nangyari between sa amin. Di naman siya nagalit actually sabi pa niya swerte ko raw kasi nakuha ko yung b abaeng gusto ko pero kung alam lang niya ang difficulties na magkaiba kayo ng ug ali ng mahal mo. Sasagutin ko na sana yung message ni Karl pero may isang message pang dumating. Pagtingin ko kala ko galing parin kay Karl yun pala kay.... Jara. From: Jara Huy pangit! Five days na ako di kumakain ng somai ): Dalhan mo ko ha! Hehe. Natawa ako sa message niya. Ewan ko pero parang nafeel ko na lang na namimiss ko yung afternoon Chinese food trip namin. Dati rati almost everyday yan at ngayon na lang ulit wala. Kamusta na kaya yun? Send to: Jara Huy taba! Pauwi na ako. Libre mo naman ngayon. Ganyan kami magtawagan. Inaasar niya akong pangit at sa kanya naman eh taba. Per o we both know it's only a joke. Actually mas okay talaga siyang kasama compared to Diane. Si Diane kasi yung taong concern sa diet kaya di kumakain ng ganito o ganun. Medyo maarte kaya ayaw dito ayaw dun at lalong lalo na busy. Kaya di pwe de ngayon o kaya bukas. Kaya madalan kami magkasama. Buti na lang talaga eh clas smates kami sa almost lahat ng subject. From: Jara Tumahimik ka nga! Ikaw magbayad, ikaw lalaki. Mas napatawa tuloy ako sa sinabi niya. Don't get me wrong, pero si Diane parin t alaga ang mahal ko kaya lang napapa compare ako minsan. Haaay ewan! Mga 4:30pm na kami dumating ng school at medyo marami-rami pa ang tao. Dun kami sa main gate dumating at napa ngiti ako sa nakita ko. Sila Karl, Jamir, Mitch, Chloe at Jara nasa may playground. Malapit kasi ang playground sa main gate. Tumakbo naman agad sila papunta sa amin ni Diane. Usual shake hands, beso at bat i. Huli dumating sila Jamir at Jara dahil naglakad lang sila compared kila Mitch na tumakbo. So, how was the trip? Is the beach good? So, ano na? Kayo na ulit?

Napatingin naman kaming lahat kay Karl. Oo, alam rin nila Mitch, Chloe at Jamir. Dahil nga kami yung parating magkakasama sinabi na lang namin sa kanila para na man walang ma left out sa grupo. At first shocked sila pero na absorb naman agad . Medyo matagal din kami naging quiet pero may nag broke the silence. Why not lets hang out together. Lahat napatingin sa kanilang dalawa, kahit ako. Nawala lang kami ng 5 days sabay na agad kayo magsalita? Is this love or what? Nakita ko namang nagblush si Jara kaya tumingin na lang siya sa kabilang side. N akakaintindi naman si Jamir ng tagalog kaya di kami ilang magtagalog sa harap ni ya pero si Jara even na alam niya yung fact na yun, she still speaks English tow ards Jamir. Di ko alam kung special treatment or ganun lang talaga siya. As agreed, kakain na lang raw sa labas para naman makapag hang out uli. Naglakad na sila lahat palabas ng school pero bumalik si Jara to get her things. Dahil a ko na lang yung di pa naka labas, ako na yung naghintay sa kanya. Pagbalik niya dun sa kinatatayuan ko, tiningnan niya ako. Take note: head to toe pa ha! After naman niya ako tingnan ng mga dalawang beses siguro nagsmile naman siya sa akin ng nakaka loko. Tiningnan ko lang siya na hindi kita maintindihan look. Laking America ka parin! Di ka bagay sa probinsya! Kala mo ha! Pininch ko nanaman yung nose niya at bigla na lang akong tumakbo palabas. Humabo l naman siya nun at nagstop na lang kaming bigla dahil nasa harapan na namin sil a Karl. Tumigil din kami sa kakatawa at baka magtanong pa yung mga yun at gumawa nanaman ng issue. Hindi ko alam kung ito rin ba yung same feeling nung naging close kami ni Diane pero I hope not... Kasi kung meron man towards Jara....

it's confusing me. *JARA's POV* After namin kumain nung hapon nung Friday, napagdesisyonan na gumimik the next d ay, which is today, Saturday. Si Mitch at Chloe ang nagsabi tutal wala naman raw klase the next day. Umo-o naman lahat at ang venue ay sa ONE BAR. Saturday na ngayon, actually it's already 6:30pm and I'm still here in my bed. G anito talaga ako, 1 hour before umalis maligo para mabango pa. That's an extra g anda points noh. Hygeine. ^_^ Mga 7:17pm siguro ako natapos maligo then nagring na lang bigla ang phone ko. And as expected si Chloe nga. Ohhmygaahd! It's already 7:30 and your still on you butt home? Marrise! Stop calling me Marrise! You know how I hate that much. Whatever. Usapan eh 8, nasa bahay ka pa!

Drop the line then, magbibihis pa ako. Fine! Make it sure your outfit is worth waiting for. After nun, binaba niya na yung line at nagstart na akong magbihis. Di na siya na sanay sa attitude. Ganito naman talaga ako since when? Nasa states pa kami. Para ting sumbat sa akin ni Mitch at Chloe, pag sa school stuffs raw, maaga ako pero pagdating sa gimik, always 10 minutes late. Eh di ko naman masyado pinaghahandaa n ang school noh. You meet the same people there everyday pero pag sa gimik, you can meet anyone anytime. Dahil normal gimik day lang naman, nagjeans lang ako at tank top tapos nagpahati d na ako kay Kuya Jun. Mga 8:15 ata ako dumating sa bar. Bago pa man pumasok mar ami ng nag-greet sa akin na mga ana ng kilala ni mama. Sa lahat kasi ng friends at anak ng friends niya eh pinapakilala ako. Nakakapagod na nga eh pero syempre respeto. Chineck ko yung phone ko para itext sana sila pero may 2 messeges agad. Galing k ay Jamir at Zen. From Jamir Hey, table 5 ayt? Take care. From Zen: Huy taba! Table 5. Ingat. Obviously they don't text the same pero para sa akin pareho namang napaka caring . Haay. Mga close friends nga naman. Nakita ko naman agad ang table 5 dahil nagtaas ng kamay si Chloe at Mitch. Bago pa man ako maka pag hi sa kanila may lumapit sa akin. Jara Dee? Marco Sy. Director Sy's son. Oh Marco! Haven't seen you for a long time. Guys, Marco Sy. Marco, my friends. Nagexchange smiles naman pero yung boys, which is si Karl, Jamir at Zen eh iba a ng tingin kay Marco. Para bang gusto nila patayin. How are you? My mom has been looking all over for you. She wants you to model he r new store. It's all about jewels. You know I'll put it down right? I'm busy with my studies and I really don't hav e time for modeling as of now. Maybe I'll take offers again on summer. But mom really wants you to do it. Lei detta nessuna destra?[She said no right?] Lahat napatingin kay Jamir. I understand Italian cause my mom let me take the le ssons. Sila Mitch naman they had Italian classes from 1st year to 3rd year. Sa 4 th year in HS ka lang pwede pumili ng own international language class mo. Che cosa con l'atteggiamento?[What's with the attitude?] Nagiba yung tingin ko k ay Jamir at nagshrug lang siya tapos nagsmile. Sorry about that but I guess we h ave to start are night. I'll give you a line about that modeling thing. Okay then. See you guys.

Nessun ringraziamenti![No thanks!] Tiningnan ko naman si Zen nun na nag no thanks sa sinabi ni Marco. Mga epal tala ga! Poket di marunong mag Italian si Marco pinagkakaisahan na nila. Sumiksik nam an ako dun sa kanila. Ano ba naman kayo? Kinawawa niyo yung tao. Ang kulit eh. Buti na lang humirit si Jamir. Tinaasan ko ng kilay si Karl. Nakita niya ba akong tumawa sa ginawa ni Zen at Ja mir. Tara! Sayaw tayo. Umalis si Diane, Mitch, Chloe at Karl. Dumeretsyo sila ng Dance Floor. Dahil wal a akong gana sumayaw or maka halubilo sa ibang tao naupo ako dun kasama si Zen a t Jamir. You guys won't dance? Not in the mood. Sabay pa yung dalawa magsalita kaya napatingin ako. Pareho pa silang nagshrug. D i ko alam kung pinaglalaruan ako nito or what but all I know I'm with this guys who can be so cool and not so cool at the same time. Okay then. Nung wala pa sila Mitch nagchat na lang kami nila Jamir at Zen. We talked about simple things and simple pleasures. Sabi pa nga ni Zen how he wish to taste oran ges pero he can't, we both can't. You know knowing to people who is allergic to oranges is such a funny thing. I m ean oranges? Gahd. Hilarious! Tell me about it. Nagkatinginan kami nun at tumahimik pero bigla na lang tumawa si Jamir kaya naki tawa na kami ni Zen. Ilang minutes pa may dumating na waiter at naglapag ng Tube Drinks sa table. If your asking what Tube Drinks are, they're test tubes[syempr e!] tapos dun naka lagay yung alcholic drinks. Excuse me? Binayaran na po to nung girl na naka orange at pink. He was talking about Mitch na naka orange, at si Chloe na naka pink. Sila talaga ang hilig sa mga dares and stuff! Everytime nagbabar kami ginagawa nila 'to. Di na nagsawa. They ordered that for the truth or dare. If you choose truth, we'll ask a questi on but if we won't get satisfied by the answer you have to drink. If you choose dare you have to do it because if not, you still have to drink. So basically, ot her way, you still drink. It could be fun. Bumalik na sila Mitch sa chairs nila. Dahil pa U-shape yung chairs ang arrangeme nt namin from left to right ay, si Mitch then si Chloe tapos si Jamir. Ako, si Z

en, Diane at Karl. Oo, nasa gitna ako ni Jamir at Zen. So, I guess Jara explained the rules. Let's start! Nagstart na kaming magTruth or Dare nun. Almost puro sa kanila na tatama. Wala p anga sa akin eh. Si Diane naka 3 inom na dahil ayaw siya paniwalaan sa mga reaso ns niya. Si Jamir naman naka 2 kasi di niya ginawa yung dare. Like pinapapunta s iya dun sa kabilang table para kunin yung number nung girl. Si Zen naman naka 2 rin ata, same as Jamir, hindi niya tinake yung dare. Oh! Si Jara na lang ata wala ah. Malapit na maubos yung drinks! Ke Jara na lang deretsyo. Onga! Jara ikaw na! Unfair naman nun! Iikot niyo yung bottle. I'll take the dare. Napatigil kami lahat nung nagsalita si Zen at Jamir. Itatake pa nila yung dare f or Jara. Wow! Ano 'to? Mala love triangle ng taon? Sa mga galaw nila naghihinala na talaga kami ni Chloe about this. Hindi na 'to normal friendship thing. No, let me take the it! Truth. Okay then. Inikot ni Mitch yung tingin niya sa aming lahat. Bago pa man siya mag salita. I know!

Is it Jamir or Zen? *ZEN's POV* May night out ngayon ang barkada. Napagusap-usapan kasi na gimik naman para masa ya at kahit once ma experience na magkakasama. Umo-o naman lahat. Ang usapan eh 8pm so kumilos na ako ng mga 6pm nun. Simpleng shirt lang at jeans okay na. Pagdating ko nasa labas pa sila. Almost complete but Jara isn't with them yet. U na namang bumati sa akin si Diane na naka all smiles. Narinig ko naman si Mitch at Chloe na tatawagan raw si Jara dahil sa malapit na mag 8 at wala pa siya. Ohhmygaahd! It's already 7:30 and your still on you butt home? Marrise! Nagulat kami lahat nun sa pagsigaw ni Mitch.Whatever. Usapan eh 8, nasa bahay ka pa! Nagtinginan kaming mga lalaki nun ng ilang minutes. Girls!Tapos nag give me five kaming tatlo sabay tawa lahat. Fine! Make it sure your outfit is worth waiting for. Tiningnan namin si Chloe th at time. Kinalikut niya yung phone niya tapos humarap rin sa amin. She'll be her e in a few minutes. Let's go in! Pumasok naman kami. Actually compared to dun sa isa naming bar na pinupuntahan n i Karl, mas maraming tao dito and they all have class as you can call it. Table five ang napili namin at nagusap-usap naman muna kami while waiting for Jara. Siguro mga after ilang minutes nga, dumating rin siya. Naka simple tee and jeans lang siya pero maganda parin. I mean maganda naman talaga sila lahat ngayon kah it simple lang ang mga suot.

Nung malapit na siya at uupo na sana may bigla na lang lumapit na guy. Jara Dee? Marco Sy. Director Sy's son. Oh Marco! Haven't seen you for a long time. Guys, Marco Sy. Marco, my friends. Nagsmile naman siya sa amin pero parang ang sama ng feeling namin nila Karl at J amir sa kanya. Ang hangin ng dating at parang ang epal. How are you? My mom has been looking all over for you. She wants you to model he r new store. It's all about jewels. You know I'll put it down right? I'm busy with my studies and I really don't hav e time for modeling as of now. Maybe I'll take offers again on summer. But mom really wants you to do it. Lei detta nessuna destra?[She said no right?] Natawa naman kami ni Karl nung pagsabi ni Jamir. Halatang di naitindihan nung Ma rco. Pinigil lang namin ni Karl yung tawa namin pero iba na ang tingin sa amin n i Jara. Che cosa con l'atteggiamento?[What's with the attitude?] Nagshrug lang si Jamir that time at lalo kaming napapatawa ni Karl. Sorry about that but I guess we hav e to start are night. I'll give you a line about that modeling thing. Okay then. See you guys. See us? No thanks! Umeepal talaga tong isang to. Don't think I'm jealous, iba la ng talaga ang tingin ko sa kanya or shall I say, iba ang tingin namin sa kanya. Nessun ringraziamenti![No thanks!] Nung mismong pagalis niya humagalpak na kami ni Karl at Jamir sa kakatawa. Pati nga yung mga girls tawa ng tawa narin. Pero parang si Jara di ata natuwa kaya su menyas ako na stop. Ano ba naman kayo? Kinawawa niyo yung tao. Ang kulit eh. Buti na lang humirit si Jamir. Tinaas ni Jara yung kilay niya towards Karl kaya natahimik kami lahat. Tara! Sayaw tayo. Umalis naman sila except ako, si Jara at Jamir. We talked about different sts and stuffs. Yung similarities ni Jamir at Jara towards painting tapos amang tatlo about sketching at syempre towards music. Ang dami rin naming miliraties pero ang iba lang nga talaga yung pagka allergic namin ni Jara nges. intere kami n mga si sa ora

You know knowing to people who is allergic to oranges is such a funny thing. I m ean oranges? Gahd. Hilarious! Tell me about it. Tumahimik kami nun pero tumawa nanaman ulit. Maya-maya lang may dumating na wait er at may dalang testube drinks. SInabi nung waiter si Mitch at Chloe raw ang na

gorder at nabayaran narin nila. They ordered that for the truth or dare. If you choose truth, we'll ask a questi on but if we won't get satisfied by the answer you have to drink. If you choose dare you have to do it because if not, you still have to drink. So basically, ot her way, you still drink. It could be fun. Tama naman si Jamir eh, it could be. Bumalik naman na sila Diane sa table. Ang a rrangement namin eh si Mitch, Chloe at Jamir sa left side. Si Karl, Diane at ako sa left side. Si Jara naman ang nasa gitna. Nagstart naman yung game. Siguro almost tatlo sunod sunod si Diane yung naturo k aya parang ang bilis ata ng tama sa kanya ng alcohol. Nung si Jamir yung dinare di niya ginawa kasi natatakot raw siya na mabusted or di ma pansin nung girl kay a uminom siya. Same with me, lalapitan ko na sana yung babae pero nalaman nalang namin na may boyfriend pala kaya bumack out ako at baka maka-away ko pa. Haha. Oh! Si Jara na lang ata wala ah. Malapit na maubos yung drinks! Ke Jara na lang deretsyo. Onga! Jara ikaw na! Pinipilit nila na ke Jara agad dahil siya palang ang di natatanong ng Truth or D are. Ewan ko nga pero diba mostly yung nasa gitna naman natatamaan? Unfair naman nun! Iikot niyo yung bottle. I'll take the dare. We all stopped that time kasi sabay pa kaming nagsalita ni Jamir. Para sa akin s inabi ko lang yun for a friendly offer kasi parang ayaw uminom ni Jara. With Jam ir? I don't know but maybe it's also a friendly offer... I hope. No, let me take the it! Truth. Okay then. Tiningnan naman ni Mitch lahat ng nasa table that time. I know! Is it Jamir or Zen? Nagulat kami lahat sa sinabi ni Diane. I don't know kung it was a joke or what p ero ang seryoso nung mukha niya kaya walang nagdare magsalita. What kind of question is that? Why? There's nothing bad about it. You guys are both close to her, for sure may nafefeel yan kahit isa sa inyo. Stop it Diane! Bakit? Don't tell me your affected? Ewan ko pero nagbago si Diane since we broke up at after nung nagusap kami sa da gat. Actually nung niyakap niya ako hindi ko nafeel yung higpit at init nung yak ap niya. Kahit anong gusto ko mang balikan siya, hindi ba yun ngayon. Guys stop it. Let's ask Jara another question nalang!

NO! Napatingin lahat nun ke Jara except ako. At this point parang ayoko makita yung expression ng mga mata niya. Kung ano man yun, hayaan na nilang makita. So, your gonna answer it? Kinuha niya yung testube drinks at uminom. Hindi ko alam ilan yung ininom niya p ero for sure more than 3 ata yun. Tahimik kami lahat nun sa mga upuan namin at n aka tingin lang sila lahat kay Jara. Di ko na makaya yun kaya tumayo ako at binira si Jara paalis ng table. Alam ko g ulat lahat that time pero di ko matiis eh. Makita siyang ganyan na parang pinagk akaisahan. Nung nasa labas na kami binitawan ko ang kamay niya pero di ako naka harap sa ka nya. Oo, concern ako sa kanya as a friend. Hindi pa talaga ako sure sa feelings ko sa kanya kaya di ko masasabi kung ano pa talaga siya sa akin. But currently? She's a close friend to me. Zen, Hinawakan niya yung wrist ko kaya humarap ako sa kanya pero naka yuko lang siya. I really don't know what she's feeling as of now but the thing is I really wann a know. I think I'm falling.... Tumingin siya sa akin nun. Mixed emotions ang nakikita ko sa kanya at this momen t. Pero parang ako ata ang kinakabahan. I think I'm falling for Jamir. *ZEN's POV* Two days had passed since nung nasa ONE BAR kami at sinabi nga sa akin ni Jara n a may gusto siya kay Jamir. At first I couldn't believe it myself. Kala ko lasin g lang siya nun pero hindi pala talaga, it was all true. Last Saturday, ONE BAR. I think I'm falling for Jamir. Tumingin na siya sa akin that time.Okay, you can laugh at me. Laugh as hard as you can. It may sound pathetic and all buStop! Feelings mo yan Jara, I'm here to support you with it. Pero ang if ever si naktan ka ni Jamir. Expect me to fight back for you okay? I'm your friend. Yung I'm your friend na linya ang pinaka masaklap sa lahat ng mga sinabi ko. Oo, nasaktan ako. Ikaw ba naman sabihan ng babae na malapit ka ng magfall with sabi han na may gusto siya sa isa niyang friend na sad to say, it's not me. Thanks Zen! Your really the best. Nagtiptoe siya nun tapos hinug ako. I felt like hugging back but my arms refused . Hindi ko alam kung masasayahan ba ako dahil niyakap niya ako or masasaktan dah il we're friends and that's all we ever could be? END OF FLASHBACK. Now it's Monday and back to reality, back to school days, back to everything. Nu

ng mismong pagpasok ko sa main gate ng school, nakita ko agad sila Karl. Nagwave naman sila at nagHi sa akin. Oh? Ba't kayo nandito? Aren't you supposed to be in your classrooms? Zen, nagtext ba sayo si Jara? Jara? Nope, we haven't texted nor spoke to each other sa phone since nung Saturd ay. Why? Something happened? Di nga namin alam eh. She didn't replyed or took any of our calls recently. There's Jamir. Let's ask him! Jamir. Hey. Naghand shake naman sila ni Karl at nagsmile siya sa amin. Did you t alk to Jara yesterday? Us? Nope. She haven't called nor texted us. Kitang kita ang kaba and pagwoworry sa mga mata nila Mitch at Chloe. Now that's what we call friends. Kahit ako, nagwoworry. According to them kasi never na lat e nor nagabsent si Jara from her classes especially she's an SBO member and Clas s President. Guys guys, let's not panic or what. Let's wait until lunch or what maybe by that time may info na tayo. She's right. Di dapat kami magjump to conclusions or whatever. We all decided to get going to our classes at maghintay nalang ng text ni Jara or kung ano man. N ung nag1st subject kami which is Physics, hindi ko mapigilan na umasa na dumaan si Jara sa corridors. Please lang! One time! Tinapik naman ako ni Karl sa balikat at napatingin akong bigla sa kanya. Relax pare! Nagnod lang ako at nakinig na sa teacher. Get Jara out of your mind Zen! Get her out of it! Hindi ko alam anong itsura ko nung mga minutong yun. Kung maputla na ba ako or whatever, I have no clue. Siguro lunch time pero wala parin akong balita about her. Nung naglalakad na kam i ni Karl pabalik ng room narinig namin na magkakaroon ng Staff and Faculty Emer gency meeting about some new and old issues kaya canceled lahat ng Afternoon cla sses. Nung pabalik na kami ni Karl sa room nakita namin si Mitch, Chloe at Jamir na ka usap si Diane at kanya-kanyang may dalang bag ang mga yun. Na hospital si Jara. Those words registered late pero all I know is tumakbo na kami lahat pababa. I d on't care about my bag or what,

all I have to do now is see Jara and make sure she's all okay. ********************************************************** *JARA's POV* It's a sunny Sunday and the usual, punta ng Sunday Mass. Habang nandito sa car i niisip ko yung nangyari yesterday night which is sinabi ko kay Zen na I think I' m falling for Jamir. He's not hard to desire dahil ang sweet niya at gwapo pa, n ot to mention a smart hard-working student. Haaay! Enough Jara! After nung mass I realy felt cold all over and parang may chills sa spine ko. I also felt like fainting kaya mismong paguwi ko ng bahay, natulog ako. I found myself awake ng mga 6am na. 6AM? Unbelievable. Pero nung pagwander ng ey es ko sa room eh hindi familar actually this isn't my room at all. Nakita ko na lang pumasok si Yaya sa door at dun ko lang rin nakita na may nakakabit na dextr ose sa akin. Buti na lang at gising kana hija. Nasa hospital ka nga pala dahil sa taas ng lag nat mo at di ka makahinga. Grabe nga ang kaba namin ni Kuya Jun mo nun eh. Nagnod lang naman ako. I tried to reach to my phone pero di ko maabot kaya si Ya ya na lang nagabot sa akin. Sabi nung doctor nagkaroon ka raw ng High Fever at Asthma. Tapos nalaman pa rin niya your were skipping meals. Hija, magaalala mama at papa mo niyan eh. Don't d o it again okay? Nagnod lang uli ako at nagpaalam muna si Yaya na dun lang siya sa labas dahil ma y kausap siya. Nung nakita ko naman yung phone ko 40 missed calls at 50 messeges . Almost lahat from Mitch, Chloe, Jamir at Karl. And yes none from Zen. Speaking of which nasa isip ko parin yung sinabi niya "I'm your friend". Hindi k o alam but there was sadness and parang ang gloomy nung tone. Mga 12:30pm na yun nung napagdesisyonan ko na itext na sila Mitch para naman di magalala then I browsed some magazines na. Nabobore ako actually at alam ko mga 4 pa yun darating sila Mitch. Pero nung mga 2pm na gulat nalang ako nung pumasok si Jamir at bigla akong hinug ng mahigpit. It felt good and long. I don't know if I'm supposed to hug back kaya nagexit na

lang ako pagka hug niya at tiningnan siya. Sa utak ko feeling ko it was all illu sion but I was holding him and he was standing still infront of me. What are you doing here? Jara! Nakita ko naman si Mitch at Chloe na magkasama at agad agad na nagrush papunta s a akin. Are you all good? What's the matter? Relax! I'm all good. Don't worry. Fever and Asthma lang. Kayo? What are you doin g here? Hinawakan ni Jamir yung kamay ko at humarap sa akin. Staff and Faculty meeting then we recieved your text. You gave us all a fright J ara. I'm sorry guys. It won't happen ever again I tell you. Nung sasagot pa sana ako bigla ko na lang napansin na nasa may tao pala sa door. Least as I expected. It was Karl, Zen and Diane. Nagulat ako syempre na...

Magkahold hands si Diane at Zen. Ok. I'm not jealous or what, nagulat lang ako that's all! Actually kaming lahat napatingin kay Zen at Diane. Siguro napansin nila na nagstop kaming magchat at n aka all eyes kami sa kanila kaya bigla na lang binitawan ni Zen ang kamay ni Dia ne, and good thing Jamir broke the silence, kung hindi baka magkakahiyaan nanama n yan or worst. Uuhm. Guys! My birthday is already this Wednesday and I heard from Julie a while ago that there will be no classes because of the teachers seminar that is held every 24th-28th of November. Is it true? Yeah. So, where are we gonna go? My aunt has fixed the venue already. This resort of her friend called Puenta Pal a. It's about an hour away from here. Wait, when are you going to go home Jara? Tonight. Don't worry much about me, really. Hinawakan naman ni Jamir yung kamay ko and he squeezed it lightly tapos nagsmile sa akin. On those few moments I don't know what to say pero I was sure enough I felt glad and somnolent at the same time. I really don't know! So I'm expecting everybody on Wednesday at Dairy Burger? 8am. Nagnod naman lahat at napagusapan na overnight doon. As desrcibed by Jamir, yung mga rooms daw eh designed as Korean style na sa floor ilalatag tapos paglabas m o ng room makikita mo agad ang beach. Everybody is looking forward to it

Until the day came. *************************************** It's already Wednesday at papunta na akong Dairy Burger. Since nung sa hospital, hindi ko pa nakakausap si Zen. Nung Tuesday na pumasok ako ng school, I never s aw him until nung magkasama sila ni Karl at naggreet si Karl sa akin pero nagsmi le lang siya. I mean ang odd niya. Since nung sinabi ko sa kanya na si Jamir ata ang guy na gusto ko at nakita ko siya hawak ang kamay ni Diane, he never gave m e a word kahit nga text. I'm planning to speak to him today para naman maayos yu ng gusot between us. It was already 11am nung pagdating namin sa resort kasi medyo traffic kaya na la te ng onti. Napagdesisyonan na kumain muna tapos saka na magdecide which room or whatever. Ay! Your remember the first time nagkausap si Zen at Jara! It was hilarious. Here we are, in a rectangular table. Magkaharap kami ni Zen at katabi niya si Di ane ako naman si Jamir ang katabi. They're bringing back the old times. Onga eh. It didn't turned out good but from then on I tought they would make a g reat couple. I agree but when we knew about Zen and Diane, and Jamir came in, syempre nabago almost lahat ng match makings natin. They re nuts! So ibig sabihin dati pa man they ve been talking behind us and making mix match? They think we re clothes? But really, parang nakakailang. Actually, we also don t know kung paano nagging close ulit si Mitch at Karl. They just entered school once and boom! Okay na ulit sila. Weird? Tell me about it! Oranges? I'm allergic to oranges. Sabay nanaman kami nagsalita as usual. Kaming dalawa lang talaga kasi yung aller gic to oranges tapos sila having fun eating or drinking oranges. After nung lunch napagusapan na tig dadalawa sa room. Mitch and Chloe are partne rs, si Zen and Karl naman at si Jamir will go solo. Yes, I'm with Diane. We fixe d our stuffs at nagchange ako ng damit. Nagulat na lang ako ng bigla akong hinaw akan ni Diane sa kamay at gusto raw niyang akong kausapin. Jara, do you like Zen? Nagulat ako sa tanong niya at nanlaki ang mata ko. I don't know if I was blushin g or what basta ang alam ko nagulat ako. W-What? No, of course not. He's like a big brother to me Diane. Ohgaahd! Bigla na lang niya akong niyakap ng mahigpit tapos nagface uli siya sa akin. You don't have any idea that I'm so relieved right now. You know how much I love him right? Y-Yes and I know you guys will be a great couple. I hope you fix things with him . I will. I will.

Tapos nun tumayo na siya at magbibihis raw siya, ako naman naka upo parin doon. Did I said the truth? Sa totoo lang naguguluhan ako sa feelings ko towards Jamir and Zen. I both feel happy with them, yes. And I also I find them caring and co ncern sa akin but I already said to Zen that I'm falling for Jamir, and I am. I guess. Sabay na kami lumabas ni Diane at nakita namin na nasa labas pala si Zen and Jam ir. Pareho pa kami ni Zen na naka yellow shirt but it doesn't mean anything. Pumunta kami ng beach pero since walang sun it's impossible that we could get a tan. Nagusap na lang kami ni Jamir habang naka upo sa shore at sila Diane naman nandun sa may bench naka higa, they both considered to read a book na lang. This is one good celebration, really. I'm enjoying it. Aaaw. You should! It's your birthday that's why you should be happy. No, That time, he faced me. Kung kanina naka extend yung legs niya ngayon naka s quat na talaga siya. I mean my past birthdays were also fun but this? It's diffe rent. You guys, you make it all easy and blissful. Of course, we are your friends. Me? I'm your close friend. Remember we promised each other? He smiled sweetly at me and kinuha niya yung kamay ko at hinawakan. I smiled bac k pero behind my mind, naguguluhan ako sa mga sinabi niya, sa mga ginagawa niya like holding my hand or what. Remember when I told you once I loved somebody? I nodded.That somebody made me f eel happy and nervous at the same time. I was happy because I got a reason to li ve my life and to look at the bright side but I was also nervous for I was scare d to flunk it, to spill that I love her. He's telling me about his love and I don't know what to feel! Can this get anymo re confusing? When she left for Africa, I felt broken, broken because I didn't have the chance to tell her everything on my mind and on my heart. I didn't have the guts to st op her and tell her to stay and be with me. And also, once again I lost somebody close to me. I swore to myself it won't happen again. I swore if I found the gi rl that'll complete me, I tell her right away. Nagkatinginan kami nun, as in straigh to the eye. His hazel eyes that was struck by the minimum rays of light and his wavy hair that was slightly blown by the w ind. Is he really the guy I want? I think your making the right decision to tell her right away. Now, I guessed yo u found her? Nakatingin parin siya sa akin that time and his eyes was sparkling and I couldn t help but blush. I feel it! I m blushing and my pulse is racing. When I was about t o utter a word bigla na lang niya akong hinug ng mahigpit. Mahigpit to the point na nagulat ako. Mahigpit to the point I felt I was safe and cared. Mahigpit to the point na I could hear and feel his heart beat towards mine. Mas lalo pa akon g naka feel ng mainit na sensation sa cheeks ko when he whispired me two words. Te Quiero. Te Quiero.

Pagrinig ko nun inalis ko na lang bigla yung pagka yakap niya sa akin. I was dum b found and wala akong idea kung tama ba yung narinig ko or what. Nagkatinginan lang kami nun at wala akong masabi. Sorry if you were shocked but Jara, I'm serious. Hinawakan nanaman niya yung kam ay ko ng mahigpit at natetense ako. I want you like no ones else do, I love you like fire that burnt me to death. Jara, can you be my giStop! Nangingiyak na ako nun at nanginginig ang boses ko. I-I don't wanna be rud e or what but.. but I think I can't be your girl Jamir. His hazel eyes grew big and I took it as a bad sign. I don't wanna hurt you but you said you must be tru e and this is the truth Jamir. I'm soHe placed his index finger on my lips and hugged me back. Nung pagyakap niya mas naluha pa ako lalo. Did I really did the right thing for the both of us? Kumawa la siya sa yakap at tumayo na siya pero I grabbed his wrist at humarap naman siy a. Don't worry, I'll wait for your answer and I hope the next time I hear it... He gave me a very bright smile pero alam kong dismayado siya. you'll say you love m e too. After nun umalis na siya at heto parin ako naka upo sa sand at nafefeel yung wat er sa legs ko. Patuloy parin ako sa pagiyak at feeling ko ang unfair ko pero I w as just being true to him and myself as well. Kung hindi ko yun ginawa, I'll liv e in a big pool of lie and me, myself shall drown in it. Tama nga si Kuya Jun, hindi madali ang magmahal at masaktan. Bakit ba kasi nagin g ganito ang situation? Bakit kailangan pa maging ganito ka difficult at confusi ng? Bakit ba hindi madali magmahal? Bakit nga ba?! Nung tumayo ako, dun ko lang nalaman na may kasama pala ako. Nakatingin siya sa malayo at naka fold ang arms sa harap niya. Pinunasan ko yung face ko and hoping na wala ng tear stain. ***************************************************** *ZEN's POV* Nandito kami ni Jamir sa labas ng room ni Diane at Jara, hinihintay sila. It's b een days since last kami nagusap ni Jara. Ewan ko pero since nung sa hospital an d all those things that happened between us, parang wala na akong guts makipagus ap dahil alam ko naman na mutual na si Jara at Jamir. Zen, can I ask you something? Lumapit naman si Jamir sa akin at nagnod ako as an answer to his question. Do you have... Uhm. Any feelings for Jara? Nagulat ako sa tanong niya at di ko alam anong isasagot. Bakit niya natanong yun ? Is it that obvious? Dinaan ko na lang sa tawa yung sagot ko na sana naman maku ha niya as sign for no, kahit na masakit pero I have to sacrifice. That means you don't have right? Thanks dude! I know I can count on you. Just wi sh me luck though. Wish you luck? I'm about to tell her my true feelings. I can't afford to loose her no more. Nagnod nalang ako nun at tinago yung totoo. Ano bang laban ko sa kanya kung sasa bihin ko pa yung totoo kay Jara na mismo siya pabor kay Jamir dba?

Lumabas naman na si Jara at Diane. Nakakatawa nga eh, pareho pa kami ni Jara na naka yellow. Me and Diane both decided na mag basa na lang ng book dun sa benche s malapit parin sa beach and the bad thing is, tanaw na tanaw pa namin ni Diane si Jamir at Jara na naka upo sa sand. Habang naka upo at malayo sa kanila hindi ko maalis yung tingin ko sa kanilang d alawa. Half of me is happy na mahal ni Jamir si Jara pero the other half wants t o go run and punch Jamir and take Jara to neverland. Silly huh? That's the job o f what they call "love", to make you silly. Siguro ilang minutes pa, nakita nalang namin ni Diane na magka yakap si Jamir at Jara. Ni ako, nagulat. They look great together huh? Uuhm. Y-yes. O-of course. Wait, nauuhaw ako, you wanna go sa resto? Nandun sila Karl. Go ahead, I think Imma stay right here and relax a lil bit more. Suit yourself. Umalis na si Diane nun amir at mukhang aalis. ara pero natatakot ako all went good and his at exactong pagtingin ko kay Jamir at Jara, nakatayo si J Did something went wrong? I felt the urge na lapitan si J sa isasagot niya. But I still did behind the fear that it taking Jamir as his new partner.

I stood there waiting for her to stood up, but she was sitting still and crying. Finally nung tumayo siya naka tingin lang ako sa malayo at alam kong nagulat si ya na nandun ako. Sino bang hindi? So, any problems? With me and Jamir, none. But with us? Yes. Nagulat ako sa sagot niya. Wala akong ibang magawa kung di umalis cause I really don't wanna talk about this subject no more. Ganyan ka naman parati dba, nagwawalk out pag may problema. Yan ang mal i sayo eh, duwag ka! It all started nung SaturBakit tingin mo after telling me na feel mo nahuhulog ka na kay Jamir, I'll act normal? Ha? Alam kong nagulat siya sa sagot ko nun pero hindi na ako makapag timpi and I jus t wanted to tell her everything as of this moment. I want her to know the truth even though I'm risking an answer for it! Since we were 8, kala ko it was only a normal crush dahil ikaw parati yung kalar o ko. Nung pagdating namin dito sa Philippines, it took me two whole weeks to be g my mom na bumalik kami sa states cause I wanna be with you but I failed.Nakati ngin lang parin siya sa akin nun at alam kong naguguluhan siya. Kahit ako man na sure with my feelings, nagugulahan parin. Every day of every month of every yea r umaasa ako na makikita kita ulit at makakasama just like the old times. Finall y nung 3rd year tayo, nalaman ko na may new student named Jara. Half of me was h oping na ikaw nga yun but the other half didn't wanted to see you dahil naka mov e on na ako nun and I have Diane. You made Diane your life? Did I really made her my life? I guess yes but the moment me and Jara became clo

se again, my feelings for Diane was washed out by the flood of feelings for Jara . Yes until we became close again. She looked at me na para bang hindi maintindiha n ang mga pinagsasabi ko. When we started being partners for the Holiday Project , sabi ko sa sarili ko it won't be a good idea but I stand corrected. Nung nagin g close tayo, those afternoon bondings and every single second I'm with you made me full of hope and what the heck? I fell once more for you. You said you loved Diane like hell? I did but feelings change Jara, it does. We went quiet for a long time. Hindi ko alam kung naguguluhan din ba siya sa fee lings niya or everything will change between us once more. Gusto ko lang maging totoo sa kanya kasi kung hindi feel ko baka mamatay ako sa pagiging isang malaki ng sinungaling. Why Zen? Why did you kept this from me? Nilapitan niya ako at hinawakan sa arms. Ang higpit nung hawak niya pero hindi masakit. Bakit? Sabihin mo sa akin! Bakit hindi mo sinabi dati pa? Tinangal ko yung pagkahawak niya sa arms ko dahil feeling ko mali ito. Wala akon g masagot sa tanong niya kahit na puno ng words ang utak ko. The only thing in m y mind right now is to fix this mess, but how? Ano, aalis ka nanaman? You'll leave me hanging once more like you always did? Do you think it's all easy? Ha? Bakit Jara, if I went straight to you dati pa at sinabihan kitang I love you. Wi ll I get the answer I love you too? OO! I was speechless from what she said. Hindi ko alam na noon pa man...

she loved me too. *ZEN's POV* Oo! Nagulat na lang ako sa sinagot ko. Alright! Alright!! I lied that I was starting to fall for Jamir and I thought I could but... I'm fooling myself. I knew it wa s `till him deep inside my heart from the very start. And that him is... Zen And rews.

Anong sinabi mo? Sabi ko oo! Oo, kung dati pa man sinabihan mo ko na mahal mo ko, sasagot ako na mahal kita ng walang alinlangan. Oo, nasaktan ako nung iwan mo ko magisa sa Stat es at wala na akong kaibigan. Oo, ang sakit sakit nung nalaman ko na girlfriend mo pala si Diane. Oo... Umiiyak sya nun kaya napatigil sya at huminga ng malalim . Mahal kita. Without second hestitaion, tumakbo ako sa kanya at niyakap siya ng mahigpit. Di naman ako nadismaya dahil yumakap rin naman siya. Yun bang yakap na feeling nami n wala ng bukas. Feeling namin for a very long time, ngayon lang uli kami nagkas ama. *CHORUS OF UNBELIEVEBLE PLAYS HERE* It's so unbelievable and i don't want to let it go, something so beautiful flowi ng down like a waterfall I feel like you've always been, forever a part of me an d it's so unbelievable to finally be in love somewhere i'd never thought i'd be. Don't let me go! Ever. Pagkasabi niya nun, binaba ko siya at nagloose yung hug naming dalawa at nagkati nginan kami, eye to eye. Pinunasan ko yung tear stains niya at masakit isipin na ako ang reason bakit nasaktan siya. Kung di lang ako duwag. Nilagay niya uli yung arms niya sa leeg ko at niyakap uli niya ako. Compared kan ina, mas masarap yung yakap na to dahil siya yung gumawa ng way. I won't lose you no matter what. *MUSIC STOPS HERE* After nung madramang pagaamin at iyakan namin, we both decided to sit down and t alk. Ginawa naman namin. So, when did it really started? The day I realized your absence. It made me sad and since then I stopped eating Vanilla ice cream. Nakatingin kaming dalawa sa malayo nun nung sinabi niya nun. Wait, what's with v anilla ice cream by the way? Vanilla ice cream, the comfort food of our souls. Wait, what? You stopped? But you love it like hell remember. Ilang years na? 8 years na. Yeah, I loved it like hell and now I forgot how it tastes because of you. I can't believe you! Okay, you think it's just a little thing that I'm giving up eating vanilla ice c ream? Hell no! It was a crucial sacrifice. First off, I lived my life with Vanil la Ice cream as comfort food and who I shared it with? Your favorite Prince Char ming, Zen. But one day he left me all alone and sad. Since then I decided I shal l and never eat my comfort food not unless with him. At first, yeah, was very ha rd but I loved him and that hurts more than giving up ice cream. After that ice cream talk, it was 30 whole minutes of silence. Hindi ko alam kun g na offend ko siya or what but as she said na she stopped eating our comfort fo od, somehow I was relieved. Relieved because I had the security that she'll give up the things she loved for me.

Nakatingin parin kaming dalawa sa malayo nun, inaabsorb yung thoughts. Inaabsorb kung totoo nga ba ito lahat at hindi isang panaginip lamang. It was already 5pm so the sun started to set. It was a perfect scenery for the both of us especial ly for our battered hearts that will soon be cured... I hope. As the color of the big orange fire ball mixed with the blue and purpulish sky, I felt warm. Next thing I knew we were both holding each others hand. I felt goo d and a little less gloomy for beside me was my life. Saktong pagset ng sun binitawan ni Jara ang kamay ko at nagulat ako nung bigla n a lang siyang humarap sa akin at ang seryoso ng mukha niya. Can you promise me that you'll never ever leave me nor-

I swear. I will not ever leave you again Jara. I will not risk another 8 years j ust to wait and be with you. I won't. I swear. ****************************************************** *JARA's POV* It's already Friday and a week after the resort escapade. After nung scenery sa beach with Zen na pagdesisyonan namin na itago na muna sa iba yung nangyari towa rds us and it's all because we don't want to hurt anybody especially Jamir and D iane. Call us selfish pero I think it was the best thing for now. We can pull it off anyway afterwards perhaps. Papunta kami ni Mitch sa Art and Foreign Department. Actually magkatabi lang sil a kaya naman kaming dalawa ang nagsama. Onga pala, tapos na yung plans namin for the Holiday project at pumayag na yung kausap ng Mom ko about the band and yes! It will be Callalily. Both me and Zen c an't wait for the 31st of December already. Yes, December 31 gaganapin ang Holid ay Dance dahil yan talaga ang official date since forever. Merong fireworks disp lay to add a bit of classy touch at ang bahala na ron ay ang Hand Works Member(i t's an art club!). Oh, here's my stop Jara. See you later okay? Chloe said she has to run some erra nds so she can't be with us later. Tuloy tayo dba? Oo naman. I won't afford to lose another date with you Mitch. We have to patch t hings up. Tama ka dyan! So text me after your class since mas una ako matatapos. Nagnod naman ako at nagbeso siya sa akin. Dahil kasi nung afternoon meetings nam in ni Zen for the Holiday Project wala na kaming time ni Mitch at Chloe gumala l

ike the usual but since wala ng meetings in the afternoon, I can go out with the m again. Pagakyat ko sa 3rd floor which nandun ang Art room ko, 305. Marami-rami ang tao dahil kakalabas lang ng students ng Photography class. Medyo siksikan pero I get out alive naman. Pagkapasok ko ng Art class, naka settle na lahat so umupo nari n ako sa chair ko which is close to the window. Binuksan ko ang binder ko to read some notes para di ako mapahiya. Though I stud ied last night I think it's still good to double check. Pero nung pagopen ko sab inder ko nakakita ako ng picture ng sunset tapos pagtingin ko sa likod nung pic may note.

Tomorrow at St. Paul Church. 3pm. -Zen Pagkakita ko sa note, nagulat ako. Paano niya nalagay yun dun? That's not the th ing now! The only thing I have to think is my Art class and this? I'll think abo ut it. The elements of art are the parts of an artwork that an artist plans. The elemen ts are color, value, line, shape, form, texture and space. Understanding the ele ments and principles of art helps people think and talk about art. Ewan ko pero kahit anong gawing concentrate ko sa Art teacher ko eh ayaw parin p umasok sa utak ko, neither sa tenge ko. After an hour natapos din yung last class ko. Paglabas na paglabas ko ng room si Mitch at Chloe agad sumalubong sa akin. Hawak hawak ang mga phone nila tapos ju moin naman ako. Hey girlfriend. Oh, bukas pala ha yung lakad natin. It's about 1pm to 4pm maybe. What? Up to 4? Ang tagal naman ata. Bakit, may lakad ka ba? H-huh? Wala ah. Kayo lang naman kasama ko tomorrow eh. Well, good. Shall we? After namin magusap sa tapat ng room 305 sa Art building, dumeretsyo kami sa Cri spy Cone, isang ice cream parlor na malapit lang din sa school. Actually ang sch ool namin ang pinaka maraming malapit na stores and mga kainan. Thank God dun ak o nagschool. Haha! Nung nasa Crispy Cone na kami, as usual maraming tao at almost lahat from our sc hool. Ang dami talagang tumatambay dun and di na siya bago sa amin. Mitch and Ch loe ordered their usual stuff, if your asking kung ano yun, it's extra thick Ban ana with chocolate powder. Weird ain't it? But it's yummy! Ako naman, I had iced tea cause I wasn't on the mood for any cold food or what. Nung nasa booth na kami na nilagyan namin ng stuff namin. To be honest, everytim e nandito kami sa Crispy Cone yun talaga yung booth na kung saan kami nagstatay. Habang nandito kami di ako mapakali. What if bigla nalang sumulpot sila Zen at m a open niya yung about sa note. What if madulas siya tapos he spilled everything

kay Karl which is Mitch's twin? What if- WAIT! I'm being paranoid.

We'll get through this! ********************************************************* It's already Saturday, which means may lakad kami nila Chloe and I have to meet Zen by 3pm. Di ko alam kung pupunta ba talaga ako or what. Nung kinuha ko yung p hone ko sa night stand, di na ako nagulat na marami ng messeges. It's already 10 am for crying out loud! The first few was from Mitch and Chloe lang naman telling me to be early at ayaw raw nila ma delay. Then the other messeges was from Jamir, `twas just a quote. Same as Karl na nagsend lang rin ng quote. The last one(means yun yung first mes sege na natanggap niya) was from Zen. Wtf? Sinend niya ng 3:28am? Ano yun, di na tulog ng buong magdamag? From Zen You maybe wondering why I'm still awake. I can't find a reason to go to bed cuz my mind only works when thoughts of you fill it in. I hope to find you waiting t omorrow at the place I told you. Gnyt Jara! (: That messege left a smile on my face but a huge question on my mind. How can I m eet him if I have a date with my girl friends? Bahala na! Dumating ako dun sa Tips and Toes, kung saan kami yung venue na magpapa manicure and pedicure kami. Tips and Toes is a spa center and also a beauty salon. Usual ly twice or thrice a month kami doon nila Mitch. As a girl, it's normal. (; Habang nandun kami di ako mapakali at tingin ako ng tingin sa clock. Ewan ko ba but I think I really hafta run my butt outta here and go to the church. Paano ku ng magalit yun or magalala sa akin? Jara, are you okay? Di ka ata mapakali. H-huh? W-what were you saying? I said are you okay? You look anxious and worried. May pupuntahan ka ba? May pupuntahan nga ba ako? Kung sasabihin kung oo, magtatanong sila ng questions and di pa ata ako ready na sabihin sa kanila. Pero kung hindi ang isasagot ko, it will be one of the biggest regrets in my life and I wouldn't dare commit it.

Mga 2:30 eh natapos na kami sa spa. I really wanna tell them na di ako makakasam a sa next stop nila dahil may mas mahalaga akong pupuntahan. Pero how could I te ll them na di nagsusupetsya? if only I could freeze time and run as fast as I co uld para makita si Zen. Nung nasa labas na kami pinagusapan ni Mitch at Chloe kung saan next pupunta. Gu sto ko na talagang magsalita eh pero nagbaback out yung dila ko. Ano ba Jara! An g duwag mo rin pala eh! Jara! Y-yes? I was asking you if you wanna go for something else? S-something else? Napahinto ako nun. This is the time I should speak up. Can I p ass the next stop? I just really have to fix something. Tiningnan nila ako. Kinakabahan ako sa mga itatanong nila. What if malaman na la ng nila bigla, anong magiging reaction nila? Of course you can! Nagulat ako sa s agot nila at bigla ko nalang sila nahug ng sabay sa excitement. I promise babawi ako sa inyong dalawa, it's just today is something I couldn't m iss! Thanks guys! Nagbeso naman ako sa kanila at pumara na ng taxi. Before I entered nagwave goodb ye ako sa kanila and pumasok na ako sa cab. Manong, St. Paul church plesae. I bonded with my girl friends and now.

time to spend it with my heart's Prince! Nung pagsakay ko ng cab eh di ko maintindihan yung nafefeel ko. Parang masaya na kinakabahan at naiiyak. Ang gulo dba? It's like what you feel when your having those dreadful exams(I'm using exams kasi alam ko marami mageexams ngayon!) na k ahit alam mong nagstudy ka, kinakabahan ka parin. Irony. Tssss. Nung nakarating narin ako sa St. Paul church eh mas lumakas yung heart beat ko. Nagbayad na ako sa cab driver at nandito ako nakatayo sa harap ng church. Pagtin gin ko sa clock `twas already 3:25pm. 25 minutes already passed. Nandyan pa kaya siya? Nagstart na ako maglakad papunta sa loob ng church. Wait! If your asking what is with St. Paul, here's the sitch. Dati when we we're still living in New Jersey, parati kinukwento ni Mom at ng mom ni Zen ang St. Paul sa amin. It's one of the most biggest church and ito yung isa sa mga pinaka maganda. Marami na ring mga sikat na couples na nagpakasal dito sa church na ito. I wonder if I can be marri ed here as well. Pagpasok ko sa simbahan eh parang pang wedding yung theme. Naka all white knee l ength skirt pa naman ako at baby violet shirt. Nakita ko sa bulletin board nung church na may wedding pala bukas kaya ganun yung set up.

Naglakad naman ako dun sa aisle na feel na feel ang pagka bride pero syempre, `t was all in my head. Nung nasa gitna na ako ng aisle eh may nakita akong note. Pa gpulot ko may nakalagay dun. "Having fun my bride?" Pagtingin ko dun sa letter eh napalingon agad ako sa likod ko and saw Zen who is nandun sa may dulo ng aisle. How didn't I noticed him? Ang weird talaga. I watc hed him walk closer to me. Siguro nung mga few steps away na lang siya eh tumigi l siya tapos nagka tinginan kami. Your late. Napatingin ako nun sa baba. Ewan pero bigla akong nahiya at nafeel ko na namumula ako. Does he really need to mention it? Nakita ko na palapit pa si ya sa akin at bigla ko na lang na feel na hinawakan niya ang pisngi ko with both hands.Nevertheless, my love for you wasn t decreased. Mas na feel ko na nagblublush ako that time. Ewan ko ba pero when boys back at N ew Jerset compliment me by saying I m beautiful, they adore me or whatever it is, di ganito yung nafefeel ko. Back there was just like an oh okay phrase but this? I t s more of an I m melting phrase. Bakit mo nga ba ako pinapunta? Tinangal niya yung paglagay niya ng kamay niya sa pisngi ko at tumalikod sa akin . What did I do? Tiningnan ko lang siya habang naglalakad at next thing I knew h e faced me again then he said. It s my birthday. Nagulat ako sa narinig ko. It's his what? Anong date ba ngayon? Omg! It's Decemb er 24th. I didn't noticed cause time passed so fast. Shoot! Wala man lang akong gift or birthday card kahit nga greeting from me wala rin. I'm such a bad person ! Jara. Nagulat ako nun nung nakita ko siya na few steps away nalang uli sa akin a nd he was stretching arms towards me. Can you join me for a moment of fun? Hindi ko man alam kung anong balak niya gawin, sumama parin ako. I trust him and I know he won't lead me to danger.It's not only my trust that I handed him but also my heart that keeps beating his name. Nung paglabas namin sa likod ng church eh nakakita ako ng lake. Sobrang ganda ng lake at hindi ako maka paniwala na nageexist ito sa likod ng church. Tama nga s ila mom na maganda talaga ang St. Paul church. Sa gitna naman ng lake eh may par ang flatform na may cover sa taas at may table for two. Couldn't he? Of course, sino pa nga ba dba? Shall we? Sumakay naman kami nun sa isang bangka na still was covered with blue laces and petals ng white rose. It's his birthday pero bakit feel ko parang sa akin niya i to inaalay? Syempre para di masira yung moment, may naghatid sa amin dun. Pagkar ating namin sa flatform eh umalis na agad yung naghatid sa amin. What do you cal l him? Basta si Manong Bangkero. Teehee! Pagtingin namin dun sa clock it was already quarter to 4. Ganun kami ka tagal sa loob ng simbahan at bangka? Whatever. Hindi ako masyadong gumalaw dahil from wh ere I was standing the view and the scenery is breath taking. How did you found this place? I mean you didn't annoyed your mom right?

Tumawa naman siya ng konti at nagsmile sa akin. The smile was formal pero ang cu te parin. ^_^ Lalo na yung mala brown almond eye niya eh nawawala habang nagsmis mile siya. From another place gumalaw ako pero nandun parin si Zen, may kinakali kot. Tapos bigla na lang tumugtog ang isang song. Yun pala yun. Kinuha naman niy a yung purse ko at nilagay sa table. Can I have this dance Ms. Dee? Naggesture siya na yung kamay ba inioffer niya. Of course, tinaggap ko and we st arted dancing. *Thank You For Your Love plays here* My life was a constant uphill climb, never got it right. Each one I love went th rough a change of heart. You came and my world turned upside down, you sung a di fferent tune. Can't let go it keeps playing on my mind. You haven't answered my question yet. How did you founOnce, I remembered promising myself that I'll only bring one important girl here . Sabi ko, tatama siya sa 16th birthday ko. At least by that time mas mature na ako at alam ko na ang true from false, old and new and especially... Love from i nfatuation. Now there's a reason to wake up each day. A reason to shake my blues away. Now I am whole, a lucky soul. Wanna thank you for your love. Thank you. Thank you for your love. Now it's already my 16th birthday and your here with me. So, I guess you get it right? Confused , my heart was in a daze and learned to live with pain.I loved in haste then watched it go to waste. You came and brought music to my soul, inspired me to the very core. You touched me where no one has been before. Alam ko feeling mo masyadong mabilis lahat at siguro tingin mo hindi to totoo pe ro Jara, you know I love you right? I said it to you once and I won't bother say ing it a million times again. I love you with all my heart and that's a fact. Now there's a reason to wake up each day and I thank the Lord for sending you my way. Now I am whole, a lucky soul. Wanna thank you for your love. Thank you, th ank you for your love. I saw the world in shades of black and gray turning blue with every passing day. Just when I thought that maybe all was lost, my life too k on a new turn and it's all because, it's because. Jara, can I court you? Those words sank up late. Napatigil kami sa pagsasayaw pero tuloy parin ang musi c. Tuloy parin ang ikot ng mundo namin kahit ang kakaisang bagay na naririnig na min ay ang mga pintig ng puso namin. No looking back, no more pain, no more dark clouds, no more rain. Thank you. Tha nk you for your love. Pagstop nung music eh nagbitiw na kami sa dance positions namin. I know it's dor ky na di ako sumagot pero hey! I'm a girl for crying out loud. Everyone knows na girls double check their feeling if they hafta follow it or leave it. But as th e song said, no looking and I hope no more pain anymore..... Pumunta si Zen dun sa table where may food at wine. Ewan ko kung nainis siya dah il wala akong nasagot or nahihiya siya dahil he have to ask me a question na di

ko nasagot ng mabuti. Zen... Humarap siya sa akin at still, nag eye to eye kaming dalawa. Now, I won't take t his as a regret in the future and I hope he won't too. This is one of my biggest decisions in life and I'm doing it for our happiness. Would you still love me in the morning? Nagsmile naman ako at pumunta sa kanya and I tiptoed(dahil mas matangkad si Zen ng ilang inches kesa kay Jara) and placed my arms on his shoulder. Yes, I hugged him. Hugged him as tight as I can and he hugged me back. Feeling his arms on my waist is a big relief. A relief that he feels the same way as I do. Habang magkayakap kami bigla na lang ako napangiti. Kahit di niya nakikita alam kong alam niya na naka ngiti ako na parang bata na binigyan ng candy. Ikaw ba na man bulungan ng sweet na words di ka mapapangiti. Yes, he whispired me words. Wo rds that I won't forget..... Forever and ever Jara. After nung mala-Click(yung movie ni Adam Sandler) conversatin namin eh naging ok ay naman kami. Pumayag narin ako na i-court niya ako and it's been 11 days na si nce December 4. So technically, December 15 na nga ngayon. Last day of classes n arin namin at nandito kami sa Talisay tree. Me, Mitch, Karl, Jamir and Zen. Naka harap sa akin si Mitch at Karl na naka tayo pareho. Katabi naman ni Karl si Zen na nakikinig sa MP3 ni Mitch and if you may ask about Jamir, yes katabi ko siya. Inaamin ko pareho kaming nahihirapan ni Zen sa situation pero paano ba yan? Bawa l pa sabihin eh. I mean it's hard dahil sa mga tao na panget ang tingin kasi dba nga barkada namin si Diane na ex ni Zen at si Jamir na may gusto sa akin. I kno w the right time shall come. So, what are your plans this Christmas? Tiningnan naman kami(si Jara at Jamir) ni Mitch. Sila kasi eh magvavacation sa B oracay with their dad. Dahil naka destino ang dad nila sa States, minsan lang si la magsama-sama and mostly sa Christmas lang. Imma stay home and of course 9 mornings. 9 mornings? Are those what they call the misa de galio? Yeap. You know that? Nagnod naman siya. Walang namimiss si Jara niyan! Kahit isa since last year. Of course my mom said I should do it since I stay here in the Philippines alread y. Palibhasa you always go out of the town that's why you can't attend it. Tumawa naman kami except kay Zen na seryosong-seryoso sa pakikinig ng MP3. I won der what's his listening? Whatever. Jara, I wanna join you later okay? I'll just gonna SMS you. Surely. At least, di ka nagiisa diba?

Bakit ba kasi di ka sumama sa parents mo sa States? Sabay-sabay naman tumingin sa akin nun. Kahit nga si Zen na seryoso kanina na na katingin sa malayo eh biglang napalingon sa akin. I never told him na dapat sasa ma ako sa States cause I don't want him to force me and all. Alam ko ganun ang g agawin niya. I don't want to spend my Christmas sa States. I love the celebration here even t hough I'm only with Yaya and Kuya Jun's family. Masaya parin naman. Back there i s waaaaay different and I hate it. They only grill barbecue's and drink 'till th ey get on the floor. It's really not that fun back there. But you said your family flies to another country, aren't you sad that way? Cele brating it without them. Naah. It's okay actually and they also comehome before New Year so it's still th e same. I gotta welcome the year with them is the most important 411. Nagnod naman sila lahat at napa giggle ako sa mga itsura nila. Ang seryoso na ew an. Haha. Well. That's life. Wait, I have to check my mailbox first. Aaay oo! Gonna join you Jamir. Umalis naman yung tatlo. Sumama narin si Karl kasi dadaan daw siya ng Algebra ro om for his exam results. Iniwan narin ni Mitch ang MP3 niya kay Zen kasi may spa re din naman raw siya. Nung pagalis nila eh sabi pa na didiretsyo na lang raw sila sa Faculty kasi magi iwan ng greetings at other stuffs incase may darating na urgent stuffs pagvacati on. Dun ko lang rin napansin na wala na palang students sa school. Kaming 5 na l ang pala and since umalis ung 3, kami na lang ni Zen. Tumabi naman agad si Zen sa akin at inabot yung isang earphone. Syempre, tinanga p ko naman cause I also wanna listen to some goody bits. Pagrinig ko, nagstart a gad yung song and it was the tagalog version of Ni Yao De Ai(yung sa Meteor Gard en! Hahaha!) *ANG HANAP KO, ANG YONG PAG-IBIG STARTS PLAYING HERE* Ikaw ang panaginip ko, lagi kang nasa isip. Sana ako ay mapansin sa tuwing ika'y tumingin parang ako ay tinutunaw sa hangin. Pangarap ko ako'y yakap mo, laging sa tabi ko pero 'di ko alam kung san na tayo basta't alam ko ika'y mahal ko. Mismong pagrinig ko nung kanta eh natamaan ako. Para bang it fits the both of us , para bang ang sarap nung melody. Yung lines ng song eh napaka melodic at I think it's perfect for the both of us. Ang sarap pakinggan lalo na nasa tabi ko siya. Ang hanap ko ang yong pag-ibig. Magkasama nating damhin ang pag-ibig ko para lam ang sayo sa puso ko yakap mo ay sabik na hinihintay. Pagkat sa buhay ko ang pang arap ko tayo lamang hanggang sa muli. When I'm with him I really think time stood still at kaming dalawa lang yung tao sa mundo ng mga oras na to. Para bang kami lang ang nabubuhay at kami yung may ari ng mundo ng pagibig. Sana parati ganito. Pangarap ko ako'y yakap mo, laging sa tabi ko pero 'di ko alam kung san na tayo basta't alam ko ika'y mahal ko.

Kung pwede lang namin sabihin sa lahat ng tao na mahal namin ang isa't isa. Kung pwede lang namin sabihin sa lahat ng tao na nag mamahalan kaming dalawa, sana n oon pa man eh ginawa na namin dba? Ang hanap ko ang yong pag-ibig. Magkasama nating damhin ang pag-ibig ko para lam ang sayo sa puso ko yakap mo ay sabik na hinihintay. Pagkat sa buhay ko ang pang arap ko tayo lamang hanggang sa muli. Malapit na matapos yung song that time at nagising ako sa reality. I was hoping things could be easier for the both of us. Kung pwede lang na di na kami magtago sa secrets and lies dba? Kung pwede lang.... *MUSIC STOPS HERE* Nung natapos na yung song eh tinaggal ko na yung ear phones tapos bigla ko na la ng naramdaman na lumapit siya sa tenga ko at bumulong. Pero 'di ko alam kung san na tayo basta't alam ko ika'y mahal ko. Nagulat ako nun at next thing I knew umalis na siya sa kinauupuan niya at naglak ad palabs ng campus. Pero before pa man siya maka alis sa kinauupuan niya eh nar ealize ko...

he gave me a kiss on the cheek. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------It's already 4am and it means, December 16 na. Ang first day ng 9 mornings. Nali go na ako at nagpahatid kay Kuya Jun sa St. Paul church. Since nakatungtong ako ng Philippines, ito lang ang simbahan na pinupuntahan ko pero nalaman ko lang yung about dun sa lake sa likod eh nung birthday ni Zen. Si lly ei? Nung nakarating na ako sa church eh di ako pumasok agad kasi naghihintay pa ako ng SMS ni Jamir. Nakakahiya naman kung tumunog to sa loob ng simbahan. Sabihan p a ko ng walang respeto dba? >_< Siguro mga after few minutes eh tumawag si Jamir. Take note: tumawag pa ha. Usap an naman namin SMS lang. Hey, where are you? Bigla na lang siya nagsneeze dun sa phone. Omg! That sounds a bad cold. Are you okay? Unfotunately, no. I'm truly sorry Jara but I have a flu so I can't go. Maybe if I get okay, I'll just message you, mkay? Sorry. Have fun.

Bago pa man ako maka sagot eh nagsneeze siya ulit. Ewan ko kung matatawa ako or maaawa sa kanya. Pero syempre naiitindihan ko kung di siya makakapunta. You better rest and don't worry, I'm use to do this alone. Have fun on your vaca tion, I hope. Tapos nun eh we both dropped the line na. Pumasok narin ako sa loob dahil ilang minutes na lang eh magstastart na yung mass. The usual mass. Gospel, homily, prayers and God's words. Nung kakanta na ng Our Father(the holding hands part) eh may tumabi sa akin na lalaki. Mas matangkad si ya ng onti sa akin pero syempre di ko na tiningnan yung mukha niya. Basta we bot h held hands then ayun na, kumanta ng Our Father. After nung Our Father eh symep re yung Peace be with You na. Now you may offer the sign of peace. Nagpeace naman ako sa lahat ng katabi ko at yung mga nasa harap ko. Siguro isang side na lang ang di ko na bibigyan ng sign of peace, yung lalaki sa tabi ko. Nu ng humarap na ako sa kanya eh nagpeace be with you kaming dalawa at sabay naman nahulog yung panyo niya. Kinuha ko ito at binigay sa kanya. Pagka bigay ko sa kanya eh nagkaharapan kami. Nagulat ako sa nakita ko. Hindi pa la ako nagiimagine na famillar yung amoy nung lalake, di pala ako nagiimagine na kasing tangkad siya nung kakilala ko dahil kilala ko pala talaga siya...

ZEN?! Symepre hinintay ko muna matapos yung mass bago ko siya kinsauap at inulanan ng tanong kung bakit siya andito at kung paano niya nalaman na nandun ako nakatayo and all. Ang weird naman kasi eh na ang dami-daming tao sa St. Paul nakita niya agad ako. After nung giving of bread and life eh ang daming tao tapos nabanga pa ako nung isang lalaki. Dahil nasa likod ko si Zen eh inalalayan niya ako at hinawakan ako sa shoulders. Lumapit pa nga face niya at may binulong sa akin. I won't let you go... As those words filled my mind, I felt comforted and warm. Bumalik narin kami dating pwesto namin at nagpray na. I really don't have any idea what to wish cause I have almost everything. My childhood love, a happy family and great ends! I just wish I won't wake up one morning na wala na sila.... lalo na si . sa for fri Zen

After nung mass pumunta kaming dalawa dun sa likod nung church. Oo, dun sa may l ake. Dahil nga kilala na ni Zen yung taga bantay eh wala ng kaso. Close pa nga s iya sa mga pare eh and I don't have any idea paano niya nagawa yun. Nung nadecide namin na umupo dun sa l ako ng lamig. Naka cropped jacket Syempre pinaalam ko na kay Kuya Jun man na ako at magtetext na lang ako may bench at hintayin ang sunset eh naka fee naman ako pero ewan ang lamig parin talaga. na di na ako magpapasundo kasi may kasama na paguuwi na ako.

Nung umupo siya sa tabi ko eh tiningnan ko talaga siya. Siguro nakuha niya na yu ng hint na I want to know how did he saw me and how did things went on and all. Okay, I saw you kanina sa labas ng church and was actually gonna say hi pero nak

ita ko na may kausap ka sa phone kaya di nalang ako lumapit. Tapos nung mag Our Father na eh di ko na natiis eh kaya naman lumapit na talaga ako. He smiled at me. Yun bang cute na smile niya tapos tumaas yung kilay niya. Haay! Napaka ewan naman nito. ^_^ Okay now I get it. You watched me from afar from the start tapos decided to come close to me and heto tayo. Naka upo dito and watching a good scenery. Is that i t? Nagnod naman siya ng naka smile. I coudn't help but giggles. Asan ba kasi si Jamir? If he came I woudn't be the one here naman eh. I knoBago pa siya maka tapos pinigilan ko na siya sa pagsalita niya at hinawakan ko y ung cheeks niya with my both hands. Tapos nagkatinginan kaming dalawa. I'm not disappointed that your are the one here with me. I am more of happy beca use on the first day of the 9 mornings, you, you are the one who is with me. Hinawakan naman niya yung kamay ko at binababa. After nun, we went silent kasi l umabas na si Mr. Sun sa clouds. Ang ganda tingnan nung big fire ball na nagkakal at ng mala orange-yellow na color sa blue sky tapos andito pa ako kasama si Zen. Hindi ko pa nga siya sinasagot eh. Ang balak ko kasi sa 9thmorning na ng misa de galio. By that day eh 28th day na yun ng panliligaw niya. 2 weeks isn't bad rig ht? I know him well naman din eh. Jara. Humarap ako sa kanya at nakatingin pala siya sa akin. I wanna give you som ething. Hindi lang siya sign ng friendship natin but also yung pagmamahal ko say o at sana ganun din sayo. Inaabot niya sa akin yung isang bracelet na may nakalagay na ZEN. Wait a minute! Pangalan mo naman to eh? That's the whole point. Kinuha niya yung bracelet at kinabit sa wrist ko. I want you to own me. Even if it's not forever, just own me and I'll be happy. Natouch ako sa sinabi niya. At least I'm half sure that he really do love me wit h all of his heart. Pero anong ibibigay ko sa kanya? Napahawak ako sa necklace k o. Actually yung necklace ko na yun eh ang pendant is yung ring na binili ko. Yu n yung first jewel na binili ko with my money. Tinanggal ko yung necklace kong yun at sinuot ko sa kanya. Nagulat pa nga ata si ya bakit ko yun ginawa. Nakwento ko kasi sa kanya na yung about nga sa ring na y un. B-but.. I don't want you to own me. Instead, care for me like I care for that necklace a round you neck. Be with me like there will no other days that you'll have a chan ce. And love me, like a little girls loves cake. Can you Andrews? Can you? Tiningnan niya lang ako ng matagal sa mata. I don't have any clue what will he a nswer back. I don't have any idea what will happen next. All I know is I'm with the man I wanted to be since I was 8. The man I want to have... for all of my li fe.

Don't worry.

I will be with you for all of my life. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Simula nung first day nung misa de galio hangang ngayon na mag 8th day na mamaya . Nandito ako sa 63 Block Window. If your asking what is this place, actually it 's a resto na sikat dito sa amin. Hindi ko alam kung bakit ako pinapunta dito ni Zen basta tumawag siya kagabi at sabiniya eh magkita raw kami. Habang hinihintay siya eh nakatitig lang ako sa bracelet ni Zen. Yung bracelet n iya na pinagkatiwala sa akin. Since nilagay niya to di ko na tinangal, sabi din naman niya na pwede ko raw basain eh. Kaya pagnaliligo di na tinatangal. Katamar an ba? Di naman. HAHA. Mga ilang minutes din ako naghintay eh finally he came. Nakita naman niya agad a ko at umupo dun sa table. Inabutan niya ako ng block ng chocolate na may ribbon pang naka tie doon. Ang cute nga eh. For you. As return inabutan ko naman siya ng isang libro. Actually hiniram niya to sa aki n few days back pero I decided to give it to him tutal may isa pa akong copy. Pe ro para maging special yung every page eh nilagayan ko ng malilit na drawing(I g ot this idea from Windstruck. When Myoong-Woo gave his girl a book and since his great in sketches and paintings, he draw small images of them.). It wasn't just a drawing, it was me and him. Small images of us kung baga. Nung finlip niya yung pages eh nakita ko yung smile na nabuo ng lips niya. Of co urse I felt happy and same time, ako pa yung kinilig. ^_^ Thanks! No problem but wait. Why did you wanted to see me again? I mean we can see each other later at the mass dba? I just wanted to get the book so Imma go now... Napataas ako ng kilay nung pagsa bi niya nun. Joking! Pagkasabi niya nun eh nagpeace sign siya sa akin at natawa ako dun. Teehee!Seriously, I want to talk about something with you. With me? Go, spill it. It's that magChri-Christmas na and I just wanted to celebrate it with you pero s yempre di sa actual day, later kung pwede.Nagsip naman ako sa ice tea ko nun per o nakatingin parin naman sa kanya. So, do you have any plans later? Later? Wala naman. So tayong dalawa lang ba?

Umiling naman siya sa akin. Hindi lang kaming dalawa? This is weird. Wala naman sila Karl, Diane at Chloe dito. Nag Bora kasi yung kambal(Mitch at Karl), si Dia ne naman raw eh nasa house ng lola niya and si Chloe is nasa Cebu. So, sinong ka sama namin? With whom then?

With my family. Hey, I'll fetch you at 6pm sharp ayt? Don't be so formal since my dad can't come . He has an urgent meeting with his friends. It would be you, my mom and Zara. Z ar's excited to see you. See you later. Mwah. And oooh, don't worry for sure mom will like you. Yun yung words na narinig ko from my reciever when I got home. It's already 4pm and 2 hours from now I shall meet the mom of Zen. Ewan ko kung matutuwa ba ako d ahil ako ang unang babae na dadalhin ni Zen sa bahay nila kahit di pa kami pero natatakot rin ako dahil baka di ako magustuhan. Sabihin na nating magcompare sil a ni Mommy pero hey, it's been 8 whole years since they last saw each other. Jus t wish me luck. Nung mga 4:30 eh napagdesisyonan ko na mag bubble bath muna para naman marelease ng katawan ko yung ibang emotions at baka mag nervous break down nalang ako big la. Mas nakaka hiya naman yun dba? Habang nala lubog yung body ko sa bubbles at tubig eh feel ko kung hindi ko mako ntrol yung paggana ng utak ko eh any minute I can drown in this bath tub. Sorry if you think I'm going a little over board but may attitude lang talaga ako na m aging masyadong praning. Nung mga 5:30pm na, naka ayos na ako. I decided to wear a neat white blouse at i sang brown na knee-length skirt tapos naka peep toe na sandals. Sabi naman kasi niya, I don't have to be formal. So here I am, nasa harap ng salamin at nagdadal awang isip kung okay na ba to or what. Nung nagvibrate yung phone ko sa taas ng dresser eh nagulat ako at natanggal sa pagdadaydream ko yung thought ko. Lumapit ako sa dresser ko at kinuha na yung ph one ko. Pagbasa ko eh si Zen pala sinasabi niya na nasa baba na raw siya. Pagbukas ko naman nung door eh sakto na kakatok sana si Yaya. Hinead to toe ba n aman ako at bigla na lang nagthumbs up. At least may isang tao nagsabi na magand a yung suot ko. Aah yaya, ako na po bahala magsabi kay Mom at Dad na nagdinner ako with a friend . Basta ako na po talaga bahala Yaya. Uhhm. MagdinHija, alam ko kinakabahan ka pero wag mo naman ipahalata. Me and your Kuya Jun w ill be fine. May dalang auto si Zen kaya sige na at naghihintay na sa baba yung ka date mo noh. Nagsmile lang naman ako nun at bumababa na. Nakita ko si Zen na nakatingin sa mg a picutre frames. Nakakatuwa siyang tingnan kahit naka talikod siya from me. Paa no ba naman, yung kamay niya na naka lagay sa likod eh naka cross finger. Haha. Nung pagharap niya sa akin eh parang nagulat siya pero nagiba naman agad yung fa cial expression niya. Nilapitan niya ako at nilead na palabas ng bahay namin. Nu ng pagsakay namin sa car niya eh mas naka feel ako ng kaba kasi iba na talaga pa gkayong dalawa lang.

Habang na stuck naman kami sa traffic eh nakatingin lang ako sa labas ng car. Na katingin sa ibang cars at sa sky. Napaka blue pala ng sky ngayon at ang raming s tars. I don't know if before ganito rin ang sky pero I felt new to seeing it lik e this lang. Habang nakatingin pa ako sa sky eh nakafeel na lang ako na may huma wak sa kamay ko. Pagtingin ko sa kamay ko eh syempre dahil wala naman na akong ibang katabi eh si Zen nga ang humawak sa kamay ko. Nagsmile siya sa akin at nakikita ko na excite d siya sa dinner na to. I smiled back and mas humigpit pa yung hawak niya sa kam ay ko. Everything will be alright. I swear. You can't predict anything okay. Whatever shall happen-

Your lovely tonight and I predicted it right. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Mismong pagdating namin sa bahay nila Zen eh si Zara ang sumalubong sa amin. Ang laki pa nung smile niya sa akin at lumabas din naman ang mom ni Zen na medyo na gulat ako na ewan. Kamukhang kamukha niya ang mom niya at si Zara naman siguro n a medyo may pagkamistisa at pareho pa nga kami ng eye color eh, nagmana siguro s a dad niya. Siguro lang naman ah. Good evening po. Nagsmile naman ako sa kanya at bigla nalang inabot yung hawak-h awak ko na magazine. Sabi kasi ni Zen eh mahilig ang mom niya sa magazine. Para sainyo po. She took it and smiled at me. Ang warm ng smile ng mom niya. Para nga talaga sil ang carbon copy ni Zen except for the eye color that is. Thanks hija. Dapat di ka nagbother and why are you guys a bit late? Traffic kasi mom. Napadaan kami dun sa madaming traffic lights dahil nagpa gas p

a ako. TapoAno ba yan. Let's get inside na at we'll talk about stuffs over dinner. Is it ok ay with you Jara? Nagnod naman ako. Pagpasok namin sa bahay nila eh amoy roses. Just like my mom's garden. Ganitong-ganito yung amoy. Bakit kaya nawalan si mommy at Tita Zusy(Zen 's Mom) ng communication after leaving Jersey? Nung nasa dinner table kami eh ang daming food at puro luto raw to ng mom ni Zen . Sayang nga lang daw talaga at wala ang dad ni Zen dahil dun sa urgent meeting. Architect kasi ang dad ni Zen so minsan talaga eh napapapunta siya sa mga meeti ngs na urgent. Kahit ayaw niya, he must. So, Jara, tell me about school? Uhm, I'm the president of the SBO and also with our Class po. Minsan I think it' s really hard but I have to do it cause they nominated me and it's my responsibl e now. And ooh mom, Jara has also painting classes so basically she's good at it. I saw some of her works at the faculty room and I was amazed with it. Really now? That's a good thought about you hija. Thanks tita. Nung natapos yung dinner eh dinala ako ni Zara sa living room nila dahil papakit aan daw niya ako ng pictures nila at ni Zen nung bata pa sila. Makikita mo sa la hat ng pictures na close na close talaga sila. Almost every picture eh naka akba y at magkayakap yung magkapatid. Kaming dalawa lang ni Zara yung nasa living room dahil nasa kitchen si Zen at an g mom niya. May pinaguusapan ata yung dalawa. Nung nagflip naman kami sa pages p a ay may natanong sa akin si Zara. Uhm, Jara, are you happy with my brother? Nagulat ako sa tanong niya pero nakatingin parin ako nun sa pictures. Sa picture s na bata pa si Zen. Sa pictures na ang cute ni Zen at naka ngiti pa. Why wouldn 't I be happy with him when all my life the only guy I want is him? Oo naman. Sa tagal kong hinintay makasama ang kuya mo, bakit hindi ako magiging masaya dba? Alam mo every night, kinukwento sa akin ni kuya kung gaano siya ka swerte na mah al mo siya. Sabi pa niya sa akin na mahal na mahal ka niya at sa kahit anong bag ay pa man eh di ka makukumpera. Alam mo Zar, mas swerte ako dahiHINDI KO YUN MATATANGGAP! Pareho kaming nagulat nung magstorm pa pasok ng living room si Zen at sumunod na man yung mom niya na naiiyak. Napatayo kaming dalawa ni Zara. Wala kaming ka ide idea kung anong pinaguusapan nila or kung anong nangyayari. Kung bakit umiiyak m om ni Zen at kung bakit galit na galit siya. Mom, Kuya, what's happenning here?

WALA. Pagkasabi niya nun eh bigla na lang niyang grinab ang wrist ko at hinila ako pal abas ng bahay nila. Hindi ko talaga alam kung bakit galit na galit siya pero sa totoo lang eh natatakot ako. Hindi na kami nag auto. Basta binira na lang niya a ko at kung saan kami papaunta ay di ko alam. Nung siguro eh malayo-layo na kami sa bahay nila nagstop na talaga kami sa pagla lakad. Dahil malapit nga lang ang bahay nila sa school eh napadpad kami sa park na malapit sa school. (Remember niyo nung nagdinner si Jamir at Jara tapos nagla kad-lakad sila dun sa may park na malapit sa isang resto. Dun yun!) Binitawan niya yung paghawak niya sa wrist ko at nakita ko na namumula ito. Hini mas ko ito at napapa aray kasi masakit talaga siya. Dun ko lang nakitang galit n a galit si Zen. Tumayo naman siya dun sa may seesaw at nilapitan ko. Yung paglag ay ko ng kamay ko sa shoulder niya eh bigla na lang siyang humarap at niyakap ak o ng mahigpit. Jara, I love you more than my life and whatever it takes I won't let them steal you away from me even if my family shall stand between us. Ang lalim niya magsalita ngayon. Ano ba talaga kasi ang nangyari. Bakit kaya siy a sumigaw na lang bigla at nagalit sa mom niya? Why is he like this? Zen...

You are my world Jara.... I won't give you up! Pagkasabi niya ng mga words na yun, I can't help but get curious of what he and his mom talked about. Ayaw kaya sa akin ng mom niya? Or may nangyari kaya noon k aya ayaw niya sa akin? Nung mga sandaling yakap parin niya ako eh nafefeel ko na ang warm niya at napak a sweet. Hindi pareho kanina na nakakatakot dahil first time ko siyang nakita ma galit. Sinagot niya pa nga that time ang mom niya. Ewan ko ba pero nakakatakot s i Zen that time. Siguro after mga ilang minutes eh kumawala narin siya sa pagkayakap niya sa akin . Tumingin siya sa mga mata ko at nagulat ako ng husto nung nakita ko ang mga ma ta niya na....umiiyak. Oo, umiiyak siya. First time ko nakakita ng lalaki na umiiyak. I mean dati nung bata ako, oo pero that one was different. Way back was just kid fight but today? It's something more serious. It's about us I guess. Bakit ka umiiyak? Hinawakan ko yung pisngi niya at pinunasan ko yung tear stains niya. Hindi ako m akapaniwala na iiyak siya sa harap ko ngayong gabi at ganito ang magiging eksena sa aming dalawa. Ganun ba talaga ka complicated at lalim yung pinagusapan niya at ng mom niya? Promise me one thing. Promise me that you'll never leave me. Promise me that you 'll be here by my side even I can't take taunts anymore. Promise me youNiyakap ko siya ng mahigpit dahil wala na akong ibang gusto pang gawin kung di m aramdaman siya sa tabi ko at mayakap na parang wala ng bukas. Feel ko anytime eh paglalayuin kami ng parents namin kaya niya sinasabi to. Sana lang wag dumating

yung time na ayaw na niya kasi for sure masasaktana ako ng husto.

Until death do us part. ***** After nung gabing umiyak siya sa harap ko eh di na ulit kami nagkita. Kahit nung last day December 24 na last day ng 9 mornings na sana eh magkasama kami, wala siya. Di raw kasi maganda yung pakiramdam niya kaya naman eh pinagpahinga ko nal ang. Sa boses pa lang niya nung nagusap kami eh napaka weak na niya pakinggan. Sabi p a nga ni Zara na naka usap ko eh ang taas raw ng lagnat ng Kuya niya. Pero nagpr omise naman si Zen na partners daw kami sa Holiday Dance pero di niya ako masusu ndo kasi wala siyang car at gasto naman kung magcacab siya papunta sa amin. So yeah, December 31 na at of course I am excited kasi aattend ako sa isang Holi day dance na kami nila Diane, Karl at Zen ang nagdecide ng theme, schedules and everything. Mostly it was all because of us kaya naging bonga yung stage at may banner pa. Syempre, di lang dahil sa dance ako excited but also with the band which is Call alily. Makikita ko si Kean Cipriano na ulitimo crush ko. Nung pagpasok ko sa school eh maraming ng tao at almost sila lahat eh grinegreet ako. Hi at hello lang rin naman ang sinasagot ko. Nung malapit na ako sa stage eh napansin ko yung banner na naka sulat eh "HOLIDAY DANCE 2007!" tapos sa baba naman ay mga bumuo nito na students which is nakalagay ang name ko, kay Diane, K arl at.... Bakit wala kay Zen? Nung tumalikod ako eh nakita ko si Mitch at Chloe na bigla na lang akong hinug a t sabay pa silang naggreet. Merry Christmas! Pagkatapos nila binigay yung gift nila eh nagsmile naman sa akin yung dalawa. It 's been 2 weeks since puro text lang at tawagan ang ginawa naming tatlo. Ako nga lang ata ang nagstay sa Philippines kasi bumisita pala si Chloe sa lola niya sa Singapore at si Mitch naman ay pumuntang HK. I missed you both! Us too. It's been weeks girl! So how are you?

Syempre di ko pwede sabihin yung about sa amin ni Zen so I lied, technically yea h I did. Kahit alam kong mali pero it's still not time na sabihin ko sa kanila a nd sana kung may chance na yun na nga yung time, gusto ko kasama ko si Zen na sa sabihin sa kanila. After nung little chitchat with Mitch and Chloe eh dumeretsyo kami sa table na n andun si Diane at Karl. If your asking where's Jamir, di pa raw siya dumadating pati rin si Zen. Asan na kaya yung dalawa? Hey Jara. Merry Christmas! Naka all smiles sa akin si Diane na parang ako ay naiilang. Paano ba naman dba? Nililigawan ako nung taong mahal niya. Ewan ko kung mali ba ito pero dba matagal naring di sila? Hey, uuhm. Can I ask sino gumawa nung banner? Yung nakapost dun sa may stage? Nagnod naman ako. Dalawa kasi yung banner, isa yung nasa stage at isa naman eh y ung nasa may gate na same ang nakalagay pero nandun nga lang yung school logo at greeting ng Principal namin. Ako. Bakit? Tama naman spelling ng name mo dba? It's not my name Karl. Bakit wala kay Zen doon? He's my partner remember? Nagtinginan silang dalawa ni Diane at si Karl. Napaka uneasy ng feeling kasi par ang ang laki ng kasalanan ko na ewan na ang labo! Uuhm, si Zen mismo ang nagsabi na wag ilagay ang pangalan niya kasi ayaw niya ra w machismis tungkol sa partners thingy and ayaw rin niya malaman ng iba na tumul ong siya sa pagayos ng Holiday Dance. Pagkasabi nun ni Diane eh parang gumuho yung mundo ko. Sino ba namang hindi dba? Si Zen na ang partner ko dito sa project na to eh ayaw ipaalam na kaming dalawa ang magpartner? Ang laking insulto nun sa akin syempre. Ano to? Ikinahihiya niy a ako? Tapos ayaw rin niyang malaman ng iba na tumulong siya? Ano bang nangyayar i sa kanya? Hindi ata yun yung kilala kong Zen. Napansin siguro nila na nashock ako at natulala. Nasaktan ako sa sinabi ni Zen a t parang nagiba na lang bigla ang pananalita niya towards me. Bakit ganun? Jara. Lumapit si Karl sa akin at lumuhod sa harap ko. Don't let that thought rui n your night okay? Ayaw lang talaga ni Zen na sinasabihan siya ng papuri tungkol sa mga ginawa niya like this. So don't be in pain okay? Enjoy the night. Onga naman. Tara! Let's dance! Yes we did dance to beat of the music and naging okay naman yung feeling ko pero nandun parin yung curiousity kung asan na si Zen at Jamir. Kung bakit nasabi yu n ni Zen na siya nga yung super duper excited about dito sa Holiday Dance na ito pero siya pa yung ayaw ipalagay yung name sa banner. Ang weird. Nung mga 5 minutes before 12 na eh tumigil na lahat sa kaka-kain, kaka-sayaw at lambingan to the max. Syempre in a few minutes after countdown eh may fireworks. Ang fireworks na hinihintay ng lahat except ako. Ewan pero parang ang kulang ng gabi ko. Ang daming questions sa utak ko at sa pu

so ko. Asan na ba siya? I thought he would be the one I'm gonna share this night with but sad to say his not here. Di na nga siya sumipot sa last 9 morning kaya di ko nasabi sa kanya na dapat eh sasagutin ko na siya ngayon pa ba? 10... 9.... 8... Nung nagstart yung count down mas kinabahan ako. Zen please magpakita ka naman s a akin oh. I want to be with you before my `o7 starts! Kala ko ba wala ng iwanan , pero why do I feel like he just left me hanging here? Why does he has to do th is? Pwede naman niya akong itext na di siya makakapunta eh.. 7... 6... 5... 4... Is this really the hurt your gonna feel? Kahit ngayon pa nga lang na pinasa niya ako na siya ang makakasama ko this Holiday dance eh wala siya. Siya na naging p artner ko sa pagarrange ng sched at sa banda. Yung fave band namin eh heto, tumu tug sabay sa countdown. Where are you Andrews? 3... 2... 1... Bago pa man magfireworks eh nakafeel ako na may humawak sa kamay ko at compared to me, his hands are hot. When I was about to look at him I had this thought in my mind na sana si Zen at nung pagtingin ko nga ay si...... Jamir!? So basically the guy I was expecting didn't came and he didn't held my hand nor hugged him tight. My fairytale didn't came true. After nung mala firework scene at pagtugtog ng Callalily sa Holiday dance eh tum awag na ako kay Kuya Jun at naghintay na sa Gate 1, sinamahan pa nga ako ni Jami r eh. All the time we were both quiet, ewan kung bakit, basta we didn't felt lik e talking. Nung mga 30 minutes na kaming nakatayo at tahimik ay tumingin ako sa taas at nak ita na may fireworks parin pala at syempre may stars. How romantic dba? Pero kah it anong gawin eh I can't tell na it's romantic.... not without Zen. Nung ilang minutes pa at di dumating si Kuya Jun tumawag ako sa bahay, yun pala eh naka tulog na si Kuya Jun kaya dapat akong magcommute pero since Jamir offere d a ride, I accepted it. Oo, binilhan si Jamir ng car ng Tita niya raw. It's his Christmas gift from them , kasi yung birthday gift niya eh yung new digi cam niya. Kung hindi ko lang tal aga pinagkakatiwalaan si Jamir, I'd ask a billion questions like how can his fam ily afford such money and all pero he always answer me with the same words. Pina

giipunan niya raw yun at dinadagdagan lang ng Tita niya. Nung finally nasa bahay na kami eh patay na nga ang ilaw at compared sa ibang ba hay na puno pa ng tao, amin ata yung parang deserted at lonely. Siguro mga after 15 minutes pa bago ako bumababa pero nung i-oopen ko na yung door bigla akong h inawakan ni Jamir sa kamay. I hope... you won't cry yourself to sleep tonight nor try to end your life. Napangiti lang ako sa sinabi niya. Kahit gaano talaga ka tagal bago kami magkita ulit at kahit gaano kalaking misteryo ang nasa likod ng pangalan niya, siya par in yung Jamir na nagpromise sa akin na magiging kaibigan ko hangang kailan man. Nung naka pasok na ako sa bahay eh dumeretsyo akong banyo at naligo tapos nagpal it na ng PJ's ko tapos humiga sa kama. Before pa man akong tuluyan matulog eh ch ineck ko cellphone ko and to my fright I got several new messages from my friend s but none from him. Nung inexit ko na sa messages eh nakita ko yung wallpaper ko. Yung wallpaper ko na kinuha ko last December lang. Yung month na happy pa kami at hindi malabo not like today na walang pakiramdaman and all. Oo, wallpaper ko eh ang pic ko at si Zen. Happy New Year.....

Zen. **** Another new week nanaman after nung Holiday dance at ngayon eh start na ng 4th g rading ng school namin. Napass ko narin pala yung Art Project ko, remember I dre w my real dad. My parents came home 2 days after New Year. Ang dami nga rin nilang dala for me eh. Mga gifts from my aunts and uncles also cousins. Ang daming dalang stories n i Daddy at Mom and of course I missed them. They promised me na 3 months silang dito lang sa Philippines for work syempre at sa summer nanaman daw magiibang ban sa. Nandito ako ngayon sa school grounds with Mitch. If your asking where's Chloe, m ay flu siya so absent siya and we texted her naman na sana gumaling siya agad. A yaw kasi magpabisita eh.

So how are you and Zen? Nagulat ako sa tanong ni Mitch. Why did she thought about that? I mean... alam n iya kaya? What a question? Of course we're friends.... She gave me a nasty look na para ba ng sinasabi na "quit lying and tell the truth!" so yeah, I did. Fine we're not g ood! And why is it? Spill it girl! I know it since the dance. Di ka mapakali and all. So yeah, I told her everything na dapat niya malaman. I learned one thing: you c an never ever lie to a girl friend cause eventually, they'll know about it soone r or later. Sinabi ko narin sa kanya yung about dun sa family dinner and it all went wrong and di ko alam bakit. ...and here I am, waiting for nothing from Andrews. Oh my gaaahd! She thru me a tight hug and naiyak na ako nun. Basta talaga sa mga piling proble ms eh na iiyak nalang ako bigla lalo na pag kay Mitch ko sinasabi kasi siya lang naman talaga ang isa sa mga tao na kilala ako. I never knew it all went this way. I'm sorry I didn't comforted you back at the dance. I'm sorry if I kept it from you.. It's just that I wasn't ready, I wasn'tSssh! It's okay. We all keep things from each other like I kept how me and my br other patched things up. Pagsabi niya nun eh pinunasan ko yung luha ko at kumawala sa yakap niya. I gave her the look she gave earlier. She never opened up kung paano sila naging okay n i Karl. Never in a million second she gave us a hint and now? I must know. Fine, I'll magkamukha of things aging okay tell. Actually we both realized that dalawa lang kami na super duper so why do we have to fight pa dba? He said his sorry and told me alot about her ex, Maredette and things. I told him stuffs too. So yeah, n kami at nagulat pa nga sila mom eh. But hey, things change.

Your right, things do change for the better or.... the worst. After nung mala BFF na usapan namin eh humiga kami sa grass, don't worry no poop here. We decided to think about things so we closed our eyes and felt Mr. Sun's heat and enjoyed the BFF moment. Siguro nung mga after ilang minutes eh nagulat nalang kaming dalawa nung biglang mawala yung sun sa face namin. Pagopen namin ni Mitch ng eyes namin eh nakita n amin si Karl, nakatayo sa harap namin at mukhang anxious. You better come with me... Sumama nga kami sa kanya at binira niya kami ni Mitch. Nagmamadali sa pagtagbo k aya muntik pa mahulog yung gamit ko pero I manage to hold on it. Nung malapit na kami sa main building eh napansin namin na maraming tao nakatingin sa bulletin board. Ready yourself.

Naiba yung tingin ko kay Karl. Ready myself for what? Dinala niya ako sa may bul letin board. Pinatabi niya rin yung ibang tao at nakasingit kami. Mismong paglapit ko sa bulletin board eh nanlaki yung mata ko sa nakita ko. Paan o nila to nakunan? Sino? Hindi ako maka believe sa nakikita ko. Napuno ng luha y ung eye lids ko at nanlamig yung kamay ko.

This can't be happening! Mismong pagkakita ko sa mga naka dikit sa bulletin board eh nanghina ang tuhod k o. I know at this very scenery people are looking at me and worst... They are ta lking about me. Omg! Naging sila ni Zen? Hindi ko rin alam eh. But I thought Jamir was her bf? Waiiit! Don't tell me she's two timing? Oh my gahd! Habang naririnig ko yung words na yun eh mas nagiging tight ang paghawak ko sa s chool skirt ko pero my eyes were still fixed on what I was seeing. I don't know if this is a nightmare or karma that I have to accept for keeping the "courting thing" behind my friend's back. Do you wanna know what I saw? Me and Zen at the Talisay tree... holding hands. Who the heck would do that? I hope I can answer Mitch's question but I swear at this moment all I ask is som eone would save me from this disaster. And the guy I was thinking did showed up. He held me tightly on my shoulder and guided me to exit the crowd who's still t alking about me. Who the guy is if you may ask?

Jamir. ****

Oo, si Jamir nga ang tumulong sa akin na maka escape from that nightmare crowd a nd that bulletin images. Nakakahiya! akit kailangan lumabas pa yang issue na yan at worst I don't even know who did it. Tapos ngayon din na nagkakalabuan na.. Wait! MALABONG MALABO na talaga kami ni Z en which is hindi ko parin siya nakikita kanina but as I heard na nagschool nama n raw siya. Whatever. Bumalik si Jamir na may hawak na mineral water at inabot sa akin yung isa. Of co urse kinuha ko pero di ko inopen agad. Nakatingin parin ako nun sa lupa at naiiy ak pero I can't find the main point why I can't cry as of this moment. If your asking asan kami ngayon, nasa Art Garden kami kung saan pumupunta yung A rt students to paint stuffs and all na ginagawa naming past time. Hey, don't feel bad. I mean were not together so your not really a two timer or whatever they call it. But me and Zen aren't together too. But you love him with all your heart. Nanlaki ang mata ko sa narinig ko kay Jamir. Alam niya? Ganun ba talaga ka obvio us? I act the same as I could be infront of him and other people but why those h e know and all? Fine! I admit it. I knew it all along since December 16th. Remember when I told you I'm gonna check my locker and message box but before I could go farther I fo rgot to tell you something and unfortunately when I saw you... you and Zen were holding hands. Don't get me wrong! I wasn't the one who posted those pictures an d I won't.... ever! Okay. So for 3 weeks he kept me that he knew about us(Jara and Zen)?! What the h eck! I don't have the right to be mad kasi alam kung hindi niya sinasadya na mak ita at mali rin naman namin yun dahil we weren't expecting na may makakakita. Aren't you supposed to be mad at me and threw me harsh words like "You know Jara your a big player and nada nada nada."? Pagkasabi ko nun eh tinawanan ba naman ako ng malakas? After months and months n a magkasama kami ngayon ko lang siya nakitang ganito na tumatawa kasi usually he 's serious and may class talaga. You crack me up! Habang sinabi niya yun eh tumatawa parin siya na para bang hindi nakatawa ng ila ng years. Ang weird kasi naninibago ako. Is he really like this or ngayon lang k asi nagbago na siya? Mas naging free na siya. Nung di parin siya natapos sa pagtawa eh nainis na ako. Paano ba naman napaka se ryoso ko at ang worst nung nangyari sa akin eh tinatawanan niya lang ako! Tama b a naman yun? Boys! I decided to stand up and look for someone na di ako tatawanan. Kahit di ko clos e basta wag naman yung ganitong seryoso ako eh tatawanan nalang ako bigla! Nakak ainis! Nung pagtayo ko eh bigla nalang tumahimik yung environment at natigil yun g laughter at naka feel ako ng hawak sa wrist. Love is not all about jealousy nor pain. Love isn't full of anger neither crying . Because love is sweet, unbearable but good to your heart.

Ang lalim ng words na ginamita niya at sure akong from the heart ito. Nobody has said this stuffs to me except him who has a bundle of guts. Mabuti pa siya... K ayang palambutin ang puso ko ng di na nagpapasikot-sikot. Jara,

ipagpatawad mo kung minahal kita agad. **** Nandito na ako sa locker ko, iniisip parin yung mga sinabi ni Jamir kanina at sy empre yung last words na binanggit niya. Paano ba naman na di ako magugulat eh s traight tagalog yun at sabi pa niya eh.. Hey don't laugh at me if I sound trying hard. I practived those words almost a m onth just to tell to you straight from my heart. Ewan ko ba kung matatawa ako or what pero for sure he maid me feel good and a li ttle light. Kailangan siyang umalis kasi he has to meet up with his Global friends. May meet ing raw sila and stuffs. I really don't kasi di naman ako member nun. Well with our SBO eh di rin naman ako pinatawag no fuss. Nung mga 3:20pm na eh may na recieve akong text from Jamir na tapos na raw meeti ng nila and his waiting for me sa parking lot ng school. I replied naman na papu nta narin ako since wala nga si Kuya Jun sa bahay dahil nasa office ni Mom at na gsuggest si Jamir na ihahatid niya ako. While walking down the corridor eh medyo konti nalang ang tao and hindi na siya pareho nung times na madaming nakatingin sa akin ng masama dahil nga dun sa pict ures. Sana ganito nalang lagi dba?

Nung paliko na left na ako eh nagulat ako sa nakita ko. Oo, si Zen Andrews na hi nintay ko nung Holiday dance. Si Zen Andrews na once nanligaw sa akin. At oo! Si Zen Andrews na hangang ngayon..... ay mahal ko. Nagkatinginan kami. He look the same since we last met but I know deep inside me I was hungry to hug him and ask him a billion questions like asan siya nung mga oras na hinintay ko siya at kung nakita na niya yung bulletin board and all per o di ko magawa. Di ko magawa dahil may nagsasabi sa akin na nagbago na siya. After siguro ng ilang minutes na nagkatinginan kami eh iniwas na niya yung tingi n niya at nagsimulang maglakad. He passed right through me and that's it. Yun na lang yun? After ditching me at the Holiday dance and telling everybody yo u weren't my partner for that project that's it? Hindi parin niya ako hinarapa pero tumigil siya sa paglalakad. Hindi ko napigila n yung sarili ko kaya naman eh nagderederetsyo ako at hinarangan siya kasi paran g may balak maglakad ulit ng loko! Don't tell me you didn't saw the bulletin cause I know you did. Zen, ano bang na ngyayari sayo? Your the Zen I used to loThings change Jara! They do! Nagulat ako sa sinabi niya. He did changed pero bakit? What's the whole reason b ehind this Zen I'm talking to now? Is it because of the talk he and his mom had? Ang awkward kasi na once your love one was ooh so sweet pero ngayon? Napaka alo of na niya. But why Zen? Why do you have to change when things between us were all good? It was before but now is different. We have to act like strangers again because I'm tired. Tired of picking you at 4am, tired of telling you mushy things and ti red of... you! I swear nagulat ako sa sinabi niya and also alam kong any minute from now na iiy ak ako. I have no idea bakit naging ganito na siya. Lalong di ko alam bakit gani to na lang siya sa akin, mean and all. What happened to forever and ever babe? Forever and ever babe? After saying that he looked right through my eyes full of emotions but still cal m. Full of anger but still he looked handsome. Alam ko na kung ano man yung sasa bihin niya eh masasaktan ako for sure pero as Jamir told me, love isn's about... it's about taking risks and insults.

Forever and ever babe was just a big joke for me and so are we. Hindi ko ineexpect na yun yung maririnig ko. Of course, I m standing in front of m y childhood sweetheart and nevertheless my so called soon-to-be-boyfriend (sana) an d the first guy who brought me to a meet your family scenery just said that forev er and ever babe was just a big crap in his life. Hell! Who would expect that? I want to slap him and pour him harsh words and punches was the thought in my mi nd but if you ask what s in my heart? All it says is I hope this is a nightmare I m living and someday, he will take those words all back. I can t do anything nor mov

e a toe, ang alam ko lang eh I m here, standing in front of the guy I love with wa tery eyes. Dahil wala na akong magawa at alam kong hinihintay ako ni Jamir sa parking lot s o dumeretsyo ako dun. Hindi ako naiyak sa narinig ko pero alam kong deep inside eh nasasaktan ako at mahirap tanggapin yung mga narinig ko. Nung palapit ako ng palapit sa car ni Jamir eh alam kong iba yung tingin niya, yan pa na kabisado na ako niyan. Hey, what s with that face? Face? What face? ThaBago pa man siya maka pagsalita at matanong ang totoong nangyari eh nagring yung phone ko. Nakita ko na si Mitch yun. Wait! Si Mitch? Bakit kaya siya napatawag na alam kong ayaw niyang magpadistorbo. Bago pa man umabot na maging busy tone e h sinagot ko na. Hey! Napatawag ka? We have to go somewhere Jara. ASAP! Nanginginig yung boses ni Mitch which naka feel agad ako ng tension at alam kong may nangyari na masama. Ewan ko kung kanino basta all I know is this won t be goo d. What s with the shaky tone Mitch? Calm down! Tell me what s going on? Ch-chl-chloe s . mom died. Nagulat ako sa narinig ko. I mean who wouldn t be especially close kami sa family ni Chloe and last thing we heard is healthy naman ang mom niya and nothing happe ned critical I guess. But hey, people keeps secrets like me naman dba? So hindi naming masisi si Chloe. Sabi ni Mitch eh magkita daw kami dun sa funeral house na pero since nakita nami n siya sa sa Gate 1 sinabay na namin siya ni Jamir. She told us na nainform nara w niya lahat sa barkada at si Karl raw eh pinuntahan si Diane and Zen. So basica lly magkikita-kita na lang kami dun. Nung pagdating naming sa funeral house eh hinug agad kami ni Chloe na umiiyak(ma s nauna silang dumating kesa kila Karl) at namumugto na yung mga mata. Tumingin siya sa amin ni Mitch at magsasalita sana pero inunahan ko siya. If your gonna say sorry no need. We understand why you kept it so cry no more gi rl! We re here. Syempre nagging madrama yung pakikiramay namin kay Chloe at naiyak rin kaming da lawa ni Mitch. Dun lang namin na realize na ang dami na pala naming namiss na bo nding sessions at epal moments. We realized na iba pala talaga yung feeling pagn akasama mo uli yung girl friends mo. Masaya na ewan. Nung dumating sila Diane eh dumeretsyo sila kay Chloe and once more nakita ko si Zen na para bang walang nangyari earlier between us, wait! There was no us nga pa la dahil it was all a joke. I decided na magpahangin muna sa labas para naman ma gka-moment sila with Chloe and the family. Nung nasa labas ako napansin ko na nandun pala si Jamir na kanina ko pa hinahana

p. Nilapitan ko siya at tinabihan. Nagsmile lang naman siya sa akin at bumalik y ung tingin niya sa clouds. Napansin ko lang na everytime tahimik siya eh nakatin gin lang siya sa clouds. So you gonna tell me what s with the face? It was nothing really. I m all good now. I promise! Nagraise ako ng right hand ko at yun bang nagpromise na gesture. Napangiti naman siya sa akin pero bumalik lang rin ang tingin niya sa clouds. Hindi ko matangga l yung tingin ko sa kanya. Sa kanya na maputi yung kutis at mahaba ang eye lashe s with matching hazel eyes and red lips. How can this guy be anymore real when h is next to the word perfect? Nafeel ko na naiiyak nanaman ako. Hindi ko alam kung bakit pero I feel na I m a to tal loser at this very moment. Loser dahil I didn t had the guts to tell my friend s the truth before my love life crashed. Loser cause I can t give my love to the p erson next to me today. Loser dahil . I can t get a grip of my life. A few more minutes and boom! I cried like a child and nagulat pa nga si Jamir. N apatingin siya kaagad sa akin at hinawakan ang arms ko and he brushed my back, y un bang pinapatahan ako. Continue parin ako sa pagiyak pero napatigil din ako. Bakit ganun? B-bakit di ki-ki-kita matutunang ma-mahalin? B-ba-bak-bakit di nala ng ikaw yung childhood friend ko na minahal ko at na-na-nanligaw sa akin ngayon? Bakit kailangan ikaw yung maging dakilang friend na nandyan parati para sa akin ? Bakit hindi ka pwede maging laman ng puso ko? B-ba-bakit Jamir? Tiningnan niya yung mga mata kong umuulan ng luha at bigla na lang niya akong ni yakap ng sobrang higpit. I didn t know what to do but my arms wanted to hug him ba ck so I did. Ngayon lang ako naka feel ng super lungkot at super saya in the sam e time. Hindi ko alam kung tama ba pero I m sure na si Jami rang nasa utak ko at t his very moment . and not Zen. All I know is if I was that guy I wouldn t have you in my arms as this very moment and I wouldn t have the guts to show you how much I love you . *CHORUS OF SONG only PLAYS HERE Te quiero tanto, tanto, tanto, tanto, tanto cada da un poco ms..ah ah. Te quiero t anto, tanto, tanto, tanto, tanto para m no hay nada igual...no lo hay. Te quiero tanto, tanto, tanto, tanto amor que ya no puedo ms ya no puedo ms. As he said those words I felt weak but at the same time happy. He really has his own ways to make me feel loved and cared. He has his own ways of being sweet bu t doesn t over do s it. I ve been sensitized and next thing I know

we kissed. **** Its Saturday today and nagdecide kami ni Jamir na pumunta somewhere. Uuhm. Guess what? He asked if he could court me and I agreed. Wala namang masama dun dba? W e re both single and sa nakikita ko hindi rin naman niya mahirap mahalin. Sabi pa niya eh tutulungan niya akong maka move on since we both see na wala ng chance n a maging kami ni Zen or it goes that way. Nandito kami sa tapat ng Breeze Island Beach pero di pa kami pumapasok. Nandito pa kami sa auto ni Jamir. May iiexplain raw muna siyang things sa akin. Naglabas siya ng isang bottle at paper at inabot niya sa akin.

Here! I want you to write each and every sad emotion you had. Pain, sadness and whatsoever. Just write them down here okay? But why? Remembered when I told you that we have to let go of stuffs so we can keep the b etter memories than the bitter ones? Now, we're gonna do it! So I did what he said. Tama naman siya eh, make space for the better memories an d for the people who never let you down even for a moment. While writing it eh n agsusulat rin siya ng kanya. Afterwards eh binigay ko na sakanya at nilagay niya dun sa bottle. Next is we have to take a picture para naman naka note na sa atin yun. We did took a pic. Nagdala kasi siya ng polaroid na cam. Don't ask me where he b ought it or where he got it cause I don't also have an idea basta sabi niya sa T ita raw niya. Puro nalang ba talaga tita? Whatever. Bumaba na kami ng car tapos pumunta sa may shore at nilagay yung bottle sa water . Tiningnan namin ito habang inaalon ng waves. Malakas kasi ang waves ngayon dah il sa tropical weather and other stuffs. Habang tinitingnan yung bottle eh hinaw akan niya yung kamay ko which I felt happy. What if somebody sees the bottle and kunin niya? His lucky. Lucky? Bakit naman? His lucky cause he saw the face of the girl I treasure here.. in my heart! Pagkatapos namin dun sa beach eh pumunta kami dun sa malapit na palce, Square To wn. Ang Square Town eh parang Libis pero mas malaki ng konti at hindi po siya ba rs kundi may park, cotton candies, playground and other stuffs na pang kids at t eens except bars. Hehe. Nagdecide kami na kumain muna at saka na magikot-ikot sa stores kasi may bibilhi n ako. Pumasok kami sa Jap Resto dahil dun gusto ni Jamir, di naman ako umalma k asi gusto ko siya naman ang masunod ngayon. Lagi nalang niya akong pinagbibigyan at ayaw ko naman na sabihin ng ibang tao at mafeel niya na it's all bout me bec ause it's not. It's about us! So what do we do next? Yan yung first question ko nung paglabas namin ng resto. Nagmake face siya na na giisip raw at natawa ako sa face niyang yun kaya I slapped him ng pabiro at saba y kami tumawa. Nung nagpassby kami sa playground eh napatigil kami sa paglalakad, tumigil kasi bigla si Jamir at binitawan yung kamay ko. Napatingin ako sa kanya na para bang bata na may malaking tanong. Tiningnan ko kung saan nakatingin yung mata niya at nakita ko na may nakatayo pala sa harap namin. Lucas? Okay, now we are both standing infront of 6 huge built guys wearing this black s uit and they are called body guards to be exact and this guy whom is almost a ph otocopy of Jamir except that he has darker hair and instead of hazel eyes, he ha

s brown eyes. Che cosa state facendo qui?[What are you doing here?] Il Dad li desidera sede.ORA! I am not lost with their language but I am lost with what is their topic. Alam m o yung feeling na kala mo alam mo lahat kasi naiitindihan mo yung way kung paano sila magsalita pero all the time hindi pala yun yung ineexpect mo. Ang weird eh ! Jara, this is Lucas. Lucas, this is Jara. Non detto a lei circa la famiglia? Shut up! He took a deep deep breathe and let it all out. He is my brother and I know I haven't told you about him.. nor the truth. He is your what? Il suo fratello.. Gli ho detto di chiudere in su![I told you to shut up!] Okay, Jamir and Lucas are brothers. That's clear and all because of the fact tha t they just don't look alike but they speak same language too but wait! What do these huge built guys do with the both of them? Ma perch non gli avete detto? Ero ma avete rivelato.[Iwas but you showed up.] Eravate o vi siete dimenticati? PERCH NON SE LO FIDATE DI?![WHY DON'T YOU TRUST ME?] FACCIO MAARRESTO![STOP!] Tumigil yung magkapatid sa pagsisigawan at tiningnan nila akong dalawa. Sa totoo lang may ibang feeling ako sa paguusap na ito. Lucas was telling his bro na bak it di raw niya sinabi yung about sa family nila but he did... didn't jhe? Ha capito ogni parola?[She understood every word?] S.[Yes] Nakatingin ako nun kay Lucas pero binalin ko rin ang tingin ko kay Jamir na mukhang di mapakali at ang lalim ng reason bakit naging ganito yung situation . Now, tell me everything Valdez! Tinaasan ko ng kilay si Jamir pero pinipilit ko na maging calm parin at poised h abang nakatingin sa kanya. Paano ba naman ni ako naguguluhan kaya wala ako sa pl ace para magalit and all unless.. Ewan ko! S, dica al suo caro fratello.[Yes, tell her dear brother.] I know your gonna think I'm crazy and all for saying this but I swear you'll und erstand everything. Where shall I start? He looked at my eye full of emotions and anxiousness. Kung ano man tong sasabihi

n nito eh sana naman it won't ruin our friendship and soon to be relationship. S iguro iniisip niyo ginagamit ko lang si Jamir bilang panakip butas kay Zen but y our wrong... I am not using him just to show everybody that I'm over Zen. I admit na meron pa ring konting feelings para kay Zen, di mo naman yun maalis eh. Pero sa mga ginag awa ni Jamir na stuffs to make me happy, complete and all. Yeah, I am starting t o fall for him and I know this fact is true. Remember the time I asked you about where you can find an Italian diamond ring? *FLASHBACK* Hey Risse! I told you never to call me Risee cause I don't like it. But it's cute and- Tinaasan ko siya ng kilay kaya naman natahimik siya saglit. O kay fine but hey I have to show you something. Kumuha siya ng picture dun sa bag niya at pinakita sa akin. It was a picture of a diamond ring which is napaka ganda. I mean di naman ako mahilig sa mga ganyan pero when I saw the picture eh nabighani ang mga mata ko. Uuuhm. Where can you find an Italian diamond? Silly! Of course in Italy but there is only one Italian diamong ring in the worl d and it's owned by the royal family. Why are you asking? Nothing. I just want to give it to somebody. Somebody? Y-yeah. Why? Nothing but if ever I am that girl I won't take it because material things aren' t worth it, it's the actions that are shown which counts. *END OF FLASHBACK* I do remember that day when he asked me about it kasi daw he was giving to someb ody special but he never opened that topic to me since when we started to talk a bout it eh tinawag ako ni Mitch kaya di ko na natanong who was that "somebody". Yes, why? That was the day I was about to tell you the truth about me. That my car isn't f rom my tita, the polaroid cam was bought by me from my own money anAvete comprato una camma Polaroid?[You bought a Polaroid cam?] You didn't robbed or stole some cash to bought it all right? Yes, I bought a Polaroid cam Lu and no I didn't robbed nor stole money just to b uy a cam nor a car. Then how did you got everything? You told me your tita bought it all for you. She didn't cause my dad did. But you told me your dad died when you were 8.

Gli avete detto la stessa bugia?[You told her the same lie?] Lie? Everything was a lie Jamir? Hindi niya ako matingnan sa mata ko nun. I admit it, I was lost between this Ita lian-English conversation with the Valdez brothers or if that is their true surn ame and all. The only question in my head is... Who is the real Jamir? Nilapitan ko siya at hinawakan ko yung pisngi niya para iangat yung face niya at nagkatinginan kami sa mata nun. Napansin ko na nanginginig yung lips niya pero inipit rin niya ito para di ko mapansin. Tell me the truth.. Who are you? I... I am... Jara, il mio fratello il principe dell'Italia. Il figlio del re e della regina d ell'Italia. Your w-what? He said it... So it's true that your thYes, it's true that I, Jamir Valdez,

is the prince of Italy. Nandito kami sa Secret Garden ng Square Town. Secret Garden is an all vegetable resto so for short they only sell vegies, salads and organic foods. Ito pinili n amin dahil vegetarian raw si Lucas and ito narin yung konti ang tao. Naka upo sa harap ko eh si Lucas and sa tabi ko naman eh si Jamir. If you ask wh at I'm feeling dahil sa seating arrangement, eh naiilang ako na nawiwindang. Paa no ba naman kasi yung dalawang anak ng King ng Italy eh katabi ko at kasama ko p a yung goons nila. So che potreste domandarti se le nostre parole sono allineare o che cosa, cos ho portato questo.[I know you might wonder if our words are true or what, so I brou ght this.] Inabot niya contains a al picturan nakakakuha . sa akin yung isang photo album. Inopen niyo yung first page which is picture of the palace. Namangha ako sa nakita kong picture since baw ang palace sa Italy dahil may law tungkol doon. Kaya naman eh walang ng any coverage nito mapa picture or video man dahil 24/7 ang bantay

Flinip ko naman at nakita ko sa mga sumunod na pages eh yung picture nung family since 1994 and onwards. Meron ding pictures ng iba't ibang ceremony at parties na nandun ang royal family. Sapete che illegale prendere le immagini della famiglia reale e della destra del palazzo?[You know it's illegal to take pictures of the royal family and the pal ace right?] Nagnod lang naman ako sa kanya pero nakatutok ako dun sa picture ng babae sa las t page ng album. Ang ganda niya at nacocompliment ang face niya ng kanyang brown

curly hair at hazel eyes. She's our mom. morto dopo avere dato alla luce a-[She died after giving birth to-] Maybe I should tell her. Maybe you really should. Iniwan naman kami ni Lucas at nung mga body guards. Babalik raw muna sila ng hot el dahil kakarating lang nila from Italy that is and napagisipan nilang magpahin ga muna since they're tired. Kaming dalawa lang ni Jamir ang naiwan at nagdecide kaming magchange ng venue since di rin kami kakain pumunta kami ng River Park. Ang Lake Park eh yung pinaka dulong part ng Square Town na pwede magbabayad ka l ang at pwede ka ng magpahatid dun sa isang lodge place na private para makapagus ap kayo which is perfect sa paguusapan namin. Nung nandun na kami eh ang tahimik naming dalawa. Nakatingin lang kami sa malayo at ang naririnig lang namin eh yung chirping ng birds. Nakakabingi rin pala pag ganito lalo na pag ang kasama mo pa eh yung pinaka close sayo tas ganito nalang bigla, tahimik. I know your trust in me decreased because of what you discovered and all but I h ope my explanation will change your mind and all. Nakatayo parin kami nun at naka tingin sa river. Ang place kasi eh lumulutang sa lake at nagiisa lang yun dun kaya naman tahimik at walang ibang makakarinig kun g ano yung pinaguusapan namin. When I was born my mom really died so that makes Lucas older than me, he was alr eady 5 when I was born. I lived my whole childhood life in Italy. Everything was the same like every weekdays I go to school and on afternoons I have sparring s essions with those huge annoying goons. Napatawa naman ako dun sa sinabi niya about their goons. Paano ba naman, yung pa gdescribe niya eh huge and annoying. Napaka unusual naman ata nun. When I turned 8, Lucas was already 13 and he was y cause dad agreed that he could study in Jersey as hard for me to cause all my life I was living at I did? I studied hard and had fun everyday so the next time I wake up I'm already 13. about to leave me alone in Ital city. I was left alone and it w it with my brother. You know wh time would just pass me by and

Tiningnan ko siya ng ibang tingin since I don't have any idea bakit ang big deal sa kanila na maging 13 na. I mean for us eh mas mahalaga pag 16 or 18 na dba? S a kanila eh 13 na parang ang aga naman ata. For us in the royal clan it's a big deal when you turn 13 cause you can do anyth ing you want until your 20. It means that your out of royalty for 7 whole years. When I was 13 the first thing I thought was to go to Jersey cause I heard of th e Exchange Foreign Student and I really wanna join it. So yeah, I lied about my whole life cause I don't want to have friends because I'm a prince, I wanna have them because they like me as me. We both fell silent after niyang sabihin yun. His right, mahirap ng magkaroon ng kaibigan dahil sa luho. And nafefeel ko rin yung loneliness niya nung iniwan si ya ng kuya niya. Pareho lang yun sa pagiwan ni dad sa amin nung bata pa ako.

Now, Lucas is back on the royal cruelty and I only got 4 years left and I want i t to be a blast so I chose Philippines to be the place that I'll remember when I 'm gonna be back under my dad's rules and all. And you... Humarap siya sa akin at kinuha niya yung kamay ko at hinawakan niya. Nagkatitiga n kaming dalawa ng matagal and at this moment na only thing I can hear is the be ats of our hearts and the breeze of the wind. You made my stay here more meaningful. The day we both promised that whatever ha ppens we will still be best of friends even if we take different paths, that day was so meaningful to me since the first day I saw you... I already had a crush on you and I know a crush is way different from love cauStop! You already done all the talking and I can't take it anymore. I know you w ent through alot of things since being a prince isn't easy and being an ordinary person is hard for you cause all of your life you lived with royalty and full o f manners and I know you can never escape it cause 4 years from now you'll go ba ck to the life you used to have... But I can leave it all behind for you! And I don't want that to happen Jamir. Binitawan niya yung kamay ko na para bang nahulog lang niya bigla at nawalan siy a ng strength dahil sa mga narinig niya. Tama naman talaga yung sinabi ko eh, ay aw ko na ganun ang gawin niya para lang sa akin. Your dad has hopes and plans st because of me. I want you e chances that we won't last just months that we shared, This time, kinuha ko naman xpecting the ngingiti siya atahim at nagkatinginan eh . He did smiled and agreed for you Jamir and I don't want that to disappear ju to be the king of Italy one day and I know there ar but I want you to be proud.. Proud that even it was we still got the chance to be together.

yung kamay niya at tiningnan ko siya sa mata. I was e so I waited for it. Nung medyo matagal narin kaming n nauubusan na ako ng hope... pero he never let me down on what I said.

So shall we start the four year time span? Hinug niya ako ng mahigpit at nagulat ako sa nangyari. Alam mo yung feeling na m asyadong mabilis at mabagal at the same time. It's like I'm living in dreams but gumagalaw ako kasama ang reality. Ang gulo ng utak ko ngayon pero one thing is for sure.... I'm happy.

Let's make it ever after. Kung tutuusin ang bilis talaga ng panahon. Di namin akalain na Febuary na pala a nd 1 month to go and we're all off to college na nakakatakot kasi there are chan ces na magkakaiba na kami ng schools like Mitch and Karl na gustong magDLSU pero si Chloe sa Ateneo raw gusto kasi dun lahat ng cousins niya at... EWAN! Moving on, busy ang SBO at Prom committee since malapit na nga ang prom namin. I t will be held on February 20. Nirurush nila lahat since we only have 16 days le ft nalang pero naturo naman na yung dance sa amin during PE time at inaayos nala

ng nila eh yung grand rehearsals at ang meeting about the prom policy.. which is happening today! Since I'm the president of the Student Body Organization kailan ko maging maaga sa school which I did went early and nakasabay ko pa sa gate yung ibang members ng SBO. Nakwento pa nila na excited na raw sila since this would be the second t o the last na ihahandle namin na event. Syempre ang last is graduation. Lahat ng Junior and Seniors eh tinawag para pumunta sa session hall at ididiscus s nga ang prom policy which is nabingi na kami sa kakarinig ng mga yan pero what the heck, we hafta hear it over and over and over again. Okay, let us all settle down people please... Yan yung sumalubong sa mga maiingay na students at lalong umingay nung dumami na sila. Since, alam na namin ang attitude ng teachers namin lalo na ni Ms. Malasm as na adviser ng Class A eh alam na namin yung next niyang gagawin. I.. SAID... SETTLE DOWN! Pagsigaw na pagsigaw niya eh tumahimik na lahat at nagsiupuan na yung mga Junior s at Seniors. Dahil member ako ng SBO eh sa harap ako uupo to take down notes at kung ipapatawag man eh hindi na mahirap pa. Nung pagpunta ko doon eh sinalubong ako ni Diane ng isang malaking smile at naupo ako sa tabi niya. It's been a long time! She hugged me tightly which is kinagulat ko at as a friend, I hugged her back. U mupo naman na kami ng deretsyo nung nagstart ng magtalk si Ms. Malasmas. When th ey were discussing about the prom dress eh humarap sa akin si Diane. I've been itching to ask you things but I can't find the perfect timing. Ask me stuffs? About what? About different things. Paano ba naman kasi, it's been ages since we last bonded . I miss you guys so badly. Naging busy lang talaga kami ni Zen with our photogr aphy lessons and all. How are you guys anyway? We are all fine and still alive. Alot of things happened but we survived it. Are you and Zen back together? Oh no, we're not buNow we'll have the partners... Hindi na napatuloy ni Diane yung sasabihin niya since paguusapan na eh kung sino yung magiging partner mo sa first dance or the entrance dance. Ang entrance dan ce ang tinuturing nilang pinaka importante since yung partner mo ang magiging fi rst dance mo that night but me? I treasure the last slow dance more important. Pwede kayong magka partner ng Junior or Senior and magkakaroon kayo ng groups. T here are four groups and each group merong 50 pairs and the groups are Waltz, Ta ngo, Swing and Twist. Naturo naman yan sa inyo ng PE teachers niyo right? Sumagot naman lahat ng yes since naturo na nga iyon sa amin. I remember last yea r eh Senior yung partner ko at masaya naman yun since sa Twist kami napunta at a ng kulit nga niya kaya all through out the night eh masaya. Your names and partners are posted on bulletin A and D so I won't make any annou

ncements about it here in the session hall instead you guys go to bulletin A and D now. You only have 20 minutes! Todo rush ang mga students sa bulletin A and D pero since mas malapit ang bullet in A sa session hall, yun ang dinagsa. Napagisipan namin ni Diane na magpunta mu na sa girl's room at mamaya nalang namin titingnan dahil ayaw namin makipagsiksi kan. I heard you and Jamir are dating. San mo naman yan narinig? I was washing my hands since nagpee ako. Nung nagpress ako sa soap dispenser eh humarap ako sa mirror at nakita kong nagreretouch si Diane ng powder niya. Everybody is talking about it girl! Sabi ni Janet Lu eh panay raw ang sabay niyo ng umuwi and all. Unusual naman yan if sabihin mong friends lang kayo. Sinusundo karin naman ni Zen dba? Yeah, way back when we were still lovers but as of this moment? Nope. He doesn't . Thru the mirror eh tiningnan ko siya ng para bang look na nagtatanong. What does she mean? Hindi sila? Ang gulo naman ata dahil sabi niya eh parati silang magka sama tas ngayon hindi siya sinusundo nor hinahatid ni Zen eh sa ugali ni Zen eh gentleman yun. Believe me, he doesn't. Since nung nagJanuary eh nagbago na siya. He isn't the Z en I used to know and of course the Zen I love. Alam kong may punot dulo lahat a t kailangan niya ng mapagsasabihan pero all this time he isn't telling me anythi ng nor Karl nga eh. Tell me about it! After naming pumunta ng girl's room eh dumeretsyo na kami sa bulletin A. Compare d kanina na para silang mga lagam na nagsisiksikan, ngayon? Napaka luwang na. Ko nting tao nalang ang tumitingin sa bulletin kaya naman mas napadali yung paglapi t namin ni Diane. Sa list eh mauuna yung name nung boy so you have to search for your name on the left side if your a girl. Pagtingin ko dun sa group ng Swing eh nakita ko yung n ame ni Zara(Zen's sister). I haven't heard from her since nung family dinner sa bahay nila. How is she na kaya? Yun namang pagtingin ko sa Seniors list eh inuna ko ang Tango since sabi nung PE teacher ko na may chance na dun ako mapunta pero wala naman dun yung name ko ka ya tiningnan ko yung ibang dance groups. Ang last ko chineck eh ang waltz at to my shock eh nakita ko yung name ko dun. S a dami-dami ba naman ng grupo eh sa Waltz pa. I almost forgot to check my partne r. Nung ichecheck ko sana eh may nagHi sa akin bigla so humarap ako at nagHi bac k. Nung tumingin na uli ako sa bulletin board dun ko lang nalaman na....

HUWAT?! **** I stormed inside the session hall na wala pa namang masyadong tao dahil na exten d yung break. Nasa likod ko nun si Diane na nagulat rin sa partner ko. I mean, w hat the heck? Sa dami ba namang estudyante dito siya pa? Pinuntahan namin si Ms. Alajar na coordinator ng partners and moderator ng prom committee ng school. Dahil may kausap siyang students hinintay muna naming matap os siya at nung natapos na nga siya eh kinausap ko. Maam, can I swap partners with Ms. Dela Cruz? Why, what is the problem with your partner? Wait..

Your partner is Mr. Andrews right? Yeah. You heard it right and clear. Sa sobrang dami ng mga estudyante eh siya pa ang naging partner ko. Okay lang naman sana na siya eh pero after nung ginawa n iya sa akin? After nung mga sinabi niya sa akin? After niya ipakit yung attitude na yun? Ayoko! Baka iwan pa ko nun sa ere noh! Ma'am, please just let me swap partners with Ms. Dela Cruz! Mas close naman po s ila eh and all that. My decision is final my dear. No more changes dahil mas magkakagulo pa kaya let' s stick to the plans. Shall we? Yes Ma'am! Umalis ni si Ma'am Gemma dahil meron pa raw siyang meeting with the Prom Committ ee and naglakad narin kami ni Diane palabas ng session hall. Ewan ko pero naiiri ta ako! Bakit kailangan siya pa ang maging partner ko dba? Bahala na nga! Sa paglalakd eh umabot kami sa garden ng school which is nandun si Jamir kausap yung global friends niya. Nakita niya kami ni Diane kaya naman nagwave siya sa a kin at nagwave back rin ako. Una muna ako Jara, have to fix things pa eh! Okay.. See you around! And hey, don't worry much about the partnering okay?

Nagsmile lang naman ako dahil di ko talaga alam anong isasagot. It's either "sur e thing, I won't" or "I can't take it out of my head" phrases. Pero whatever it is eh sana naman sa prom night maging okay yung first dance ko. Where is Diane going? I thought she'll chill with us? She has to fix something. I really don't know. Hey what's with the mood? Tiningnan ako ni Jamir straight to the eye. Medyo pinapawisan siya nun dahil ang venue ng meeting nila eh under the sun ang drama kaya naman ganun pero kahit pa wisan siya, gwpao parin siya. Is it because your partner is Zen? Nagulat ako sa sinabi niya. Alam niya? Wait, no! I mean, tiningnan niya? His Val dez and A from V is waaaay waaaay far. If you know what I mean? My partner is Zara, and she's an Andrews so why bother? It's not that! Zara and Zen has different attitudes now. You know what he said t o me right? And your scared that he'll hurt you again? Natahimik ako sa narinig ko. I mean, masakit naman talaga yung mga sinabi ni Zen sa akin dba pero bakit Jamir's making a big deal out of it or maybe... I'm the one who's making this situation a big deal. Hey Jamir, join us, we're talking abouCan't you see I'm talking with somebody as of this moment? Dude, this is important! Are you gonna waste your time arguing with your girl th ere orHinarap ni Jamir yung lalaki na kasama niya sa global community. Actually nung s inagot ni Jamir yung lalaki eh ang boses niya halatang iritado. Feel ko his star ting to get mad or something. Or what? You'll gonna kick my butt out of the community? Whatever that ish is, i t's has to wait! Umalis yung lalaking kausap ni Jamir na para bang iritado rin dahil sa mga sinab i ni Jamir. Malaki rin kasi ang papel ni Jamir sa community dahil siya ang humih ila ng ratings and ng popularity nito. So if iaalis siya, may possibilities na b abagsak ulit ang global community. Humarap na ulit si Jamir sa akin pero di niya ako tiningnan. Instead he looked u p sa sky at pinunasan yung sweat niya. First time ko siyang makita na iritado ka si since then eh napaka carefree niya at para bang walang paki, pero ngayon? Iba ang nakikita ko. Let's just talk this up when things are clear for me and.. for you. Iniwan niya ako dun nagiisa pero before he left he gave me a peck on the cheek. Naglakad narin ako since wala naman akong magagawa. Kung makikipagusap ako kay J amir eh baka lumala pa yung issue.

Napunta ako sa balcony ng bulding D at nakita ko si Mitch at Chloe dun. Tama, ma y kakatapos lang na klase pala sila dito. Nagulat rin sila kung bakit nandun ako pero syempre tumabi narin ako sa kanila. Mabuti nalang walang tao dito. Oh, what's with your face? I mean, why are you sad? It's because his partner is Andrews! Or is it because Ma'am Gemma didn't agree to switch partners. Or maybeMe and Jamir fought. Natahimik yung dalawa na kanina eh naghuhulaan pa kung ano ang problema ko which is nakuha naman nila lahat ng reasons. Naiinis ako dahil siya ang partner ko, n aiinis ako dahil hindi pwede magchange, naiinis ako dahil hindi yung iniexpect k ong lalaki ang magiging parnter ko and worst.. nagaway pa kami ng boyfriend ko. Oo, sinagot ko na si Jamir nung 31st ng January since nasabi naman niya lahat ng kailangan ko malaman at may proofs pa. Kaming dalawa nga rin naghatid sa kuya n iya na si Lucas sa airport eh. Sinabihan niya pa ako na swerte raw si Jamir sa a kin pero I think it's the other way around. What? Bakit? Dahil sa issue na ito. I think I'm making it a big deal na kami ang partner ni Z en. After kasi nung mga sinabi niya sa akin eh nagiba na talaga yung tingin ko s a dati kong childhood friend and you know the whole story right? Of course we do girl! But you know what's the real deal there? Tiningnan ko silang dalawa na para bang bata na walang alam. The real deal? Ever ything! Or nothing? EWAN! Ang gulo ng itak ko ngayon pati ang puso ko nga nakiki salo pa sa gulo. It's not about you and Zen anymore, but it's about you and Jamir. And if you know who's the real love between them,

you'll know the answer to your questions. **** Dun sa mga sinabi nila Chloe at Mitch eh natamaan ako ng husto. They're right! I t's not about me and Zen now, it's about me and Jamir now and if I want it to st ay this way, I have to show it whole heartedly. After nung paguusap namin sa building D eh I decided na kausapin si Jamir. Since it's almost my fault I should console him and tell him how deeply I am sorry wh ich is true. His my first boyfriend and I don't wanna lose him. Nagtanong tanong ako sa mga tao sa school if nakita ba nila si Jamir bi nila eh hindi raw nila nakita. Yung mga global friends niya naman nasa Physics lab raw, may inaayos para kay Ms. Malasmas. So pumunta ta ko sila doon. Actually di na ako pumasok, hinintay ko nalang sila Oh Ms. Dee, what are you doing here? Uuhm. Ma'am, I'm gonna get some ideas for the Physics test. Some little review. I see. You can go inside but don't disturb Mr. Valdez since siya ang magbabantay sa lab ngayon. Nagnod naman ako at pumasok na. Nakita ko siya na nakatingin sa turtle na alaga ni Ms. Malasmas. May pangalan pa nga raw yung turtle na yun eh. Gusto ko na siya tawagin pero parang di ko magawa na ewan. Tumayo na siya from looking at the tu rtles at nagkaharap kami... Oh! I remember your going to do a review. Yeah, I'll be here in the species corner. Almost half hour din kaming nandun pero parang mas matagal pa kung aakalain. Umu wi na rin si Ms. Malasmas so she left the key ti Jamir and syempre as part sa pa gbantay sa Physics Lab, kailangan niyang hintayin na matapos ako. Nung mga 5:40PM na at natapos narin ako sa notes ko about sa species na nasa lab eh I turned around at nakita ko si Jamir na nagbabasa ng comics. Mahilig talaga siya sa ganyan. Naglakad na ako papunta sa door kung asan siya dahil isasa-uli ko pa yung keys ng cabinet 14. Here. Thanks for the keys! Nung nilabas ko na yung keys at inabot niya na eh hinawakan niya yung kamay ko. Napatingin ako sa kanya nun pero siya ay nakatingin parin sa comics niya. All th e time we wasted sa loob ng lab eh gusto kong tumakbo sa side ni Jamir at yakapi n siya. Magsorry at mapatawad lang ang thought na nasa utak ko. Paano ba naman, love nga ata to. Binaba niya yung comics at hinarap ako. Nafefeel ko yung hot tears na gusto ng l umabas at umulan ng luha ang mga mata ko. Niyakap nalang ako bigla ni Jamir at I hugged him back. I was longing for this and I know it was all my fault from the very start. pero ang sa eh ang sabi ako at naki lumabas.

I'm sorry I made everything worst for you! I'm sorry if I screwed things up. I'm sorry love! I'm sorry... Umiiyak na ako that time kaya medyo blurry yung mga sinasabi ko since nagsni-sni ff ako. Kumawala kaming dalawa sa yakap at pinunasan niya yung tears ko. He held my face up and tiningnan ako sa mata. Once more, I'm sensitized by those hazel eyes. Sssh! You know I love you right? So whoever your partner is, I don't care! As lo ng as your heart and trust is mine, I'm contented with it love! You'll be foreve r here, inside my heart. Natunaw nanaman ako sa mga sinabi niya and at this point, those were the words I wanted to hear over and over again. He hugged me tighter than before at natuwa naman ako sa pagyakap niya. So you don't care if your not my first dance? First or last, I don't care as long as your my princess. Nasa tapat ako ng dresser ko at kakatapos lang akong inayusan ng exclusive makeup artist ni mommy. Oo, prom na namin. Ang bilis noh? Kahit nga ako hindi makapa niwala na last HS prom ko na to eh at lalong lalo na hindi ko maisip na ang firs t dance ko ay si zen na talaga. If your asking how did the prom practice went, actually parating wala si Zen dah il siya ang president ng prom committee at bawal raw siya magabsent according to Ma'am Gemma. Good! As I heard eh ang prom committee raw ang mag aayos ng music and food so may tendency na wala akong partner mamaya. How ecstatic dba? Pero sa totoo lang naguguluhan rin ako, half of me wants to dance with him para naman malaman yung whole explanation about the so called dumping thing and half of me wants to be with Jamir nalang para mas less pain pa. EWAN KO! Sweetie, aren't you done yet? Pumasok si mommy at nilapitan ako. Tiningnan niya ako thru the mirror. Almost ha lf hour na kasi akong naka upo sa tapat ng dresser ko. Hinawakan ni mom yung sho ulder ko at nagsmile siya sa akin. You look perfect dear! I just can't imagine your growing to fast. Oh mom! Don't make me cry, your ruining my make-up! Tama na nga yan, you go down na. Your dad and Jamir is already waiting. Nagnod lang naman ako sa kanya. Yeah, kilala na nila si Jamir as my boyfriend. A ctually nung nanliligaw pa lang siya eh nakwento ko na siya kila mommy at daddy pero nung February 14 lang nila na kilala ng personal si Jamir and they think hi s a great guy! After wearing my sandals eh bumaba narin ako. Nung paglabas ko ng room naka feel ako ng butterflies sa tummy ko. Maybe it's because I'm going to spend this wond erful night with my first boyfriend and it's us that matters most now. Here's our girl now. Bumababa na ako nun at tumabi sa kanila. Nakita kong may hawak na flowers si mom at kanino naman galing yun? Tiningnan ko siya na para bang nagtataka. Don't tel l me it came from dad?

It's from Jamir sweetheart. You gave her lilies? Yes, why? It's her favorite right? But I told youStop it! You guys go ahead before you get late okay? Jamir, guard our princess. Nagnod naman si Jamir nun tapos naggoodbye na ako sa parents ko. I gave them a p eck on the cheek and lumabas na kami ng bahay. Nakita ko naman yung auto niya at nagulat ako sa nakita ko. Paano ba naman, sa harap nung car may 4 na bata na ma y hawak na white rose. Sabay sabay silang lumapit at binigay sa akin. Yung shirt pa nila eh may nakalag ay na I LOVE YOU JARA. Hindi ko maexplain yung feeling ko na para bang masaya pe ro naluluha. Siguro nga this is love, you never know what you truly feel basta a ng alam mo mahal mo siya. Thanks love! Hinug niya ako that time at nagdecide kami na pumunta na ng school para naman di kami magrand entrance noh. Kakahiya! Nung nasa auto kami eh we talked about how are day went. Sabi niya tumawag raw si Lucas(his brother) sa kanya at nangungum usta. He also said I'll give you his hi. So... Nagulat nalang ako bigla nung kiniss niya ako sa cheek. Mabuti nalang eh naka re d stop light nun kundi baka nabanga na kami. Tiningnan ko siya with the gulat lo ok. I swear, nagulat talaga ako sa ginawa niya! What? That's how Italians say hi so I kissed you in the cheek. Napagiggle naman ako sa sinabi niya. He has a point there but still nagulat ako! Ang labo ba namin? Ang kulit kasi ng kasama ko eh. If you weren't my boyfriend, I won't accept that lame excuse! Well sorry love, your boyfriend is a lam-o. Sa sagot niyang yun eh tumawa kaming dalawa. He doesn't have any clue how thankf ul I am for this simple talk we are having. With his words he makes me melt and at the same time, glad.

If only God knows how thankful I am.. **** Dumating na kami sa school ng mga 6PM at maramin naring tao pero di pa nagstasta rt yung night kasi ang usapan eh 6:30PM. Nakita naman namin sila Mitch, Karl, Di ane and Chloe sa iisang table kaya pumunta na kami dun. Everybody was looking awesome. Yung mga so called "nerds" nga eh for the first t ime hinubad ang glasses nila and they wore contacts. Kung pwede nga lang ganito parati eh para naman wala ng mabansagan na "nerds" or whatsoever sa school. Dumating narin yung time na pinakakahintay namin at yung 4 groups eh nagsimula n g sumayaw. Nauna ang swing tapos yung twist then tango. Nung malapit matapos yun g tango, naghanda na yung waltz group at kasama ako dun. Earlier eh sinabihan ako ni Ma'am Gemma na wala raw si Zen since he was assigned for the food at nasa cattery pa siya. Well good, wala lang naman akong partner at nasa harap pa ako nalagay. This is just perfect! Nung malapit na yung entrance namin at wala parin akong partner eh kinabahan na talaga ako. Paano ba naman kung sino pa yung nasa harap siya pa yung walang part ner. How humiliating could this get? Nung magstatart na yung dance eh pinikit ko yung mga mata ko at plinace yung han d ko na para bang may partner. Nung iiopen ko na yung eyes ko eh nakafeel ako na may naka hawak sa kamay ko and yes I felt it like it was real. Nung inopen ko y ung eyes ko at ang nakita ko ay si....

Jamir.. **** It's already February 23 now, Friday and 3 days makalipas ang masaya kong prom n ight. It turned good actually kahit wala yung dapat kong maging partner at least ang first and last dance ko was my boyfriend. Speaking of him, absent si Jamir ngayon dahil dun sa exposure ng global committe e which is kasali siya. He told me they'll be going to different museums raw and lastly is pupunta raw sila ng tierra de la maravilla, the butterfly sanctuary. Nasa locker ako ngayon, getting my stuffs para sa painting class ko. Ang tahimik nga ng school ngayon eh dahil sa mga remedial classes for Algerbra, Physics and Trigonometry. Nung kinuha ko na yung gamit ko sa locker and I was about to go m ay kasama pala ako sa corridors.... si Zen Andrews. It's been ages since I last saw him. Nung nagusap kami ni Zara sa prom night eh sabi niya nagkaroon raw sila ng gap ng kuya niya. Nagiba raw talaga si Zen simul a nung family dinner. Hey.. Umiwas ako ng tingin sa kanya at pumunta sa other side para makadaan ako at pupu nta pa nga ako ng last class ko. Kung saan ako pupunta eh dun rin siya tatayo. A ng kulit! Please... Your class isn't starting until 4:40 and it's still 4:15. Tiningnan ko siya nun naka naka taas pa ang kilay ko. He still remembers my sche dule? Now this is what I can call ironic. Kung kailan nanahimik na ako and masay a dahil okay ako sa mga taong mahal ko saka naman darating to at magiging mabait towards me. What do you want? Nilalayuan mo ako dba? Jara.. Please! Wow! I'm suprised you still know my name. Kala ko kasi nung kinalimutan mo ako a t ang pagiging partner ko sa prom, nakalimutan mo narin ang pangalan ko. I know I've been a complete jerk from the very start and believe it or not nasas aktan rin ako. Pumunta ulit ako sa locker ko nun at nagiwan ng isang book. Nung paglagay ko ng book eh nahulog yung bracelet na may name ni ZEN. Remember when he gave this to me as symbol raw ng love namin but everything was dumped... and I was dumped! Tinago mo pala? And it was a big mistake. Please, let me explain everything first. Ginawa ko lang naman talaga yun for the both of us. Ayoko na iregret mo yung love natin at lalong lalo na ayoko na masa ktan ka. Well FYI Andrews! NASAKTAN AKO FROM THE VERY START! Akala ko yung lalaking child hood sweetheart ko eh yun din yung prince charming ko but I was wrong.. dead wro ng!

Alam ko mahirap paniwalaan ang sasabihin ko sayo but I swear this is the main re ason kung bakit kita nilalayuan. WE BOTH HAVE TO MOVE ON! Guess what? I DID MOVED ON! At that very moment siguro mga 5 steps ang layo namin pero nakatutuk kami sa mat a ng isa't isa at walang gusto magsalita. His instructing me to do a thing I've already done. Well what surprise, I did moved on! Nung tumagal pa yung pagtinginan namin at walang nagsasalita eh tumalikod na ako sa kanya at aalis na ako nun. Now, tell me what is the main reason of this cari cature of intimacy? May ibang siyang mahal or kundi man yun eh baMAGKAPATID TAYO JARA! Like what? Naririnig mo ba ang sarili mo? Okay, I admit nagulat ako sa sinabi niya and like who wouldn't? The nerve of him to scream at my face that his my brother! I freezed in my tracks and I heard fo ot steps and the next thing I know, nasa harap ko na siya. Believe it or not! We have the same father and it's Jack Andrews.. I never told anyone about Jack which is my real dad pero for sure sinabi yun sa kanya ng mom niya which was my mom's past bestfriend. Hinawakan ako ni Zen sa br aso ko nun at infairness, mahigpit siya. Let go of me! I can accuse you as a touching without permission you know! Tinanggal niya yung pagkahawak sa braso ko at lumayo ng ilang steps tapos tuming in siya sa floor. Napahinga ako ng malalim nun dahil sa kaba at mga tanong na na sa utak ko. I mean yeah, there are alot of Andrews in the world that isn't my relative or wh atever but is Zen one of those guys that isn't my relative or is he more than a childhood friend? It bothers me so much I don't even know what to say. I'm sorry to make your life complicated like this but if you want proof.. ask yo ur mom. After niyang sinabi yun eh dun lang pumasok yung thought na si mommy pala yung m akakasagot ng mga tanong sa utak ko pero at the same time eh kinakabahan ako. Wh at if totoo? What if kami yung nakasira ng buhay nila? What if... Dumating na yung sundo ko nga 5:30 which is labasan na talaga and guess what? Th rough out my class yun yung nasa utak ko and muntik pa nga ako mapagalitan eh bu t I manage to recover. Nung dumating na kami ni Kuya Jun sa bahay eh nagaalanganin pa ako kung baba ako or hindi. Wala kasi dad(James Dee) since he has a business meeting sa Singapore and his out for a week so it's only mom and me. *Dinning Table* So how was your day Jara? It was okay and ordinary. How bout yours mom? I went out with your Tita Jo. We went to her garden and we bought flowers. If yo

ur free sweetheart, can you accomDid dad loved any other girl besides than you mom? Binigyan ako ni mommy ng weird na look since nagbut in lang ako sa pagsasalita n iya and with a question like that? Ewan ko nalang! But hey it takes alot of guts to ask a question like that to your mother. Of course he did and you know JamIt's not him we're talking about mom.. it's about papa. Nagulat si mommy kaya naman muntik siya magchoke kaya inabutan ko siya agad ng w ater and tingap niya. Since birth kasi papa na ang tawag ko sa original dad ko a nd daddy kay James, which is the second husband of my mom. Naiitindihan ko naman na kailangan rin niya ng asawa to be with her always and d i rin naman ako nagtanim ng galit sa kanya nun eh. Naiitindihan ko na I am not e nough to complete her since di ako laging nandyan to make her happy and all. Nung hindi sinagot ni mom yung question ko nung dinner eh umakyat na ako sa room ko and tried doing some homeworks. Habang ginagawa ko yung homeworks ko eh di k o napigilang umiyak at maka feel ng pain. I think Zen's right but what's the rea l score then? Mga ilang minutes pa nung pagiyak ko, may kumatok sa door and it was mom kaya na man dali-dali kong pinunasan yung tears ko. Pagpasok ni mom eh kinuha niya agad yung tissue sa dresser ko at inabot sa akin. Wala talaga akong matatago kay momm y.. Umupo kaming dalawa sa bed ko at binigyan niya ako ng pillow at inipit ko. Y ung tissue naman nasa tabi naming dalawa incase bumaha ng luha dito. So how did you knew? So it's true? Hinawakan ni mommy yung kamay ko and she squeezed it lightly tapos sinandal niya yung ulo ko sa shoulder niya. Am I ready with this bed time heart breaking stor y? Kahit hindi ako ready.. I have to be! Nagkakilala kami ni Zusy(Zen's mom) noong college seniors na kami. Same course k asi kami at nagkataon na magkaparehong block pa. Dahil kami yung magkapitbahay a t seatmates, naging close kami at kalaunan nga naging bestfriends kami. Your dad (Jack Andrews) was one of the varsity players and school hottie kaya kahit sinon g babaeng tanongin mo, kilala siya. Napatigil si mom sa pagsasalita nun. Upon hearing her words ang naiisip ko ay ak o, si Zen at si Diane. Ang weird noh pero yan yung nasa utak ko. Classmate rin namin ang dad mo nun at lab partners pa. Nakilala kaming tatlo bil ang magbebestfriends pero ang tunay na kulay sa grupo namin ay nagkakainlaban na si Zusy at ang daddy mo, ako pa nga yung bridge nila eh. My mom gave out a chuc kle. Nung malapit na matapos yung school year at nalaman ng parents ni Zusy at a yaw nila kay Jack dahil kano siya and they don't want him as Zusy's boyfriend. D ahil kailangan bumalik ni Jack sa States para tulungan yung parents niya sa busi ness, pumupunta si Zusy sa bahay para maka usap sa phone si Jack which is hindi alam ng parents niya. Grabe rin pala tong love story ng mga parents namin eh, napaka teenage love pala . Ganito rin kaya mangyayari sa amin ni Jamir pagnalaman ng parents niya na kami ? I mean alam ni Lucas pero it's different pag ang dad niya na may alam which is

the king of Italy. Nung after two months na pagkawala ni Jack, dun lang namin nalaman na buntis pal a si Zusy at pinaalam agad namin yun kay Jack. As bestfriend, lumipad ako ng Sta tes para makita ang living ni Jack doon at tuwang-tuwa pa nga silang dalawa eh. Nakita ko yung bahay ni Jack, paano siya mamuhay at ano ano yung mga ginagawa ni ya. Nung isang gabi eh sumama ako sa kanya sa bar at syempre inuman and all at n alasing... and accidentally you are born. Nung narinig ko yun eh biglang tumulo yung luha ko. I mean, ganun pala ako nabuo ? They were best of friends tapos nangyari na nabuntis si Tita Zusy which is si Zen and sumunod ang pagka buo ko. Humarap si mommy sa akin na umiiyak narin. Hinawakan niya yung dalawa kong kamay tapos she squeezed it again. Nafefeel ko yung tension niya kaya naman I squeeze d it back tapos nagsmile ako sa kanya. But even though ganun ka nabuo anak, hindi ka namin rineregret ng papa mo. Tinan ggap karin ng Tita Zusy mo bilang tunay niyang anak. Hindi kami nagpakasal ng pa pa mo pero bininyagan ka bilang Andrews at yun na nga, naghiwalay ang mga landas namin at dumating si James sa buhay natin... Now, do you haHindi pa man natatapos yung pagsasalita ni mommy, hinug ko na siya ng mahigpit. i don't wanna hear another word that would break our hearts. She hugged me back and we were both crying. Even though ganun ako nabuo mom...

I'm still thankful dahil pinalaki mo ako ng maayos. ****

Pagkatapos nung madramang gabi kung saan nalabas lahat ng katotohanan na dapat k ong malaman. Nalaman ko yung tinatagong sikreto ni mommy for how many years now and also naka usap ko rin via phone si dad(James Dee) and sianbi rin niya sa aki n na alam niya yun. Nandito ako sa garden ng school ngayon with Zen. Napagusapan kasi namin kagabi n a .dapat kami magusap. Since nagusap na kami ng parents ko at nakausap narin niy a ang parents niya... I think it's time na kami naman. So how did it went? Nagshrug lang ako. Hindi ko naman talaga alam kung paano nangyari yung mga bagay bagay eh. Pinagusapan namin tapos nalantad na lahat which is hindi ko naman pin agsisihan. Actually I'm okay with it kahit masakit. Ikaw, aren't you mad at me dahil sinira ko yung buhay niyo? I mean you are a hap py family pero heto ako.. kapatid mo pala.Tumawa lang siya pero mahina lang. Ser yoso ako! Sa tingin mo ba makikipagusap ako sayo kung galit ako? Of couse not! Actually co ol nga yun eh, may kapatid akong ka year level ko na maganda pa reputation sa sc hool and not to mention habulin pa ng mga lalaki.. Sa mga sinabi niyang yun eh naiyak ako at hindi ko alam kung tears of joy ba or tears of pain. Okay siya dahil may lalaking ganyan ang tingin sa akin at hindi l ang yung tipong okay tong babaeng to and all but a guy na ang tingin sa akin ay isang desenteng babae na may alam. But hard to believe this guy is my... brother . Oh? Bakit ka umiiyak? *TIGER LILY CHORUS PLAYS HERE* and i (i..), i don't want to speak these words. 'cause i ('cause i..), i don't want to make things any worse. and i (i..), i don't want to speak these words. 'cause i, i don't want to make things any worse. Pinunasan niya yung luha ko at hinawakan yung kamay ko. Ngayon lang ulit niya gi nawa to. It's been a long time since he wiped my tears and held my hands. It's b een a long long time... Don't worry, at least we are both sure we love each other right? Yeah... as siblings. Pagkasabi ko nun eh pareho na kaming na sad. Gusto na niyang umiyak that time pe ro syempre it's school and if may makakita nakakahiya dba? We both hugged each o ther tightly which made me feel comforted. why does tonight, have to end? why don't we hit restart and pause it at our favorite parts. we'll skip the goodbyes. if i had it my way, i'd turn the car around and runaway, just you and i. *MUSIC STOPS HERE* Pareho na kaming kumawala sa pag hug namin nung malaman namin na di lang pala ka mi yung tao sa garden that time. Pinunasan ko narin yung luha ko dahil ayoko nam

an na iba yung isipin niya. Baka sabihin niyang pinaiiyak ako ni Zen tas bigla n alang niyang sapakin. Tumayo si Zen at nagsmile sa kararating lang na guy and guess what? It's...

my boyfriend.. Dahil nga nagulat kami ni Zen na nandun pala si Jamir eh pareho kaming napatayo at tiningnan si Jamir. Lumapit naman siya sa akin at inakbayan ako. Medyo kinaka bahan ako since he saw us hugging at hindi niya alam na kuya ko si Zen and I don 't have a freaking idea how to tell him... Long time no see Andrews and I see you and Jara are okay now. Yeah, he told me everything and I forgave him already. Good then.. Yeah. Great. After nung sinabi ni Zen eh we felt complete silence. Between the three of us eh punong puno talaga ng tension since alam naman ng lahat na once me and Zen fell for each other at heto ngayon, kami na ni Jamir. Uuhm. I have to go now since I still have classes. Jara, see you 'round. Nagsmil e naman si Zen sa akin so I smiled back. Same to you, Valdez. Nagnod lang naman si Jamir at umalis na si Zen. Tiningnan namin ni Jamir yung pa galis ni Zen hangang kumaliwa na siya dahil papunta nga siyang building D at tha t's the path his going. After nung pagliko ni Zen eh tinangal ni Jamir yung pagakbay niya sa akin at kin uha niya yung books ko na nadun sa table. Naglakad na siya agad after getting my books. At dahil his a mid-built tall guy eh ang bilis niya maglakad kaya naman kahit ako eh nahirapang sumunod. Hey, wait up! I mean I know lots of guys na pareho ni Jamir na mid-built at matatangkad pero w alk this fast? What the?! Sa sobra niyang bilis eh kailangan kong tumakbo ng kau nti at nakahabol nga ako sa kanya and hinawakan ko yung braso niya. Love! What?! Dahil nasa school garden kami nun at madaming students, napalingon sa amin almos t lahat. Umiling lang siya nun at hinawakan yung kamay ko at saka naman umalis n a kami dun sa garden. Dumeretsyo kami sa parking lot at dun siya huminto sa pagl alakad. Thank God! What's your problem? My problem? Your asking me what's my problem? Have you ever asked what's yours?! First off, don't you dare change the subject and I don't have any problems Mr. V aldez! Are you sure enough you don't have any? Or your fooling yourself? It's obvious y

ou still love him Jara... What are you talking about? ZEN of course! Your all mighty childhood love and not to mention your guy I supp ose. Don't you dare talk about him like that. And now your defending him infront of me? GREAT! I just had one day not being wi th you and now you realized I'm not your love. Of course I love you and know that. Really? Prove it! I am proving it. It's just that your jealousy is higher than your trust. Because I trust my thoughts and it's telling me that you love him more than me.. Have you ever asked your heart? Pagkasabi ko nun eh pareho kaming natahimik and it's obvious na natamaan siya sa sinabi ko. Sometimes talaga eh namumuo yung jealousy instead of yung trust nati n sa tao at nagcacause ng pain which could be self-inflicted someday... See? It's just true.. You haven't asked your heart about this... about us. Of course I did. It's just hard that you and Zen has longer years of friendship and not to mention love. His an Andrews Jamir! I know that his an Andrews.. What's the big deal with the surname thing now? I AM AN ANDREWS TOO! Natahimik siya sa sinabi ko at mukhang naguguluhan talaga siya since wala siyang idea na ang taong minahal ko ng lubos DATI eh kuya ko pala. Tulad nung first ti me ko nalaman at may mala question mark akong expression, ganun rin si Jamir. Pero I think okay na yung ganito eh, na alam niya para naman di na siya magtatak a dba? I don't want to lose him because we fought over my brother. Now, the only thing we both want is to stop the shouting...

His my brother, love. **** So, his really your brother? Nandito kami ngayon sa Happy Umbrella with Mitch, Karl, Diane, Chloe, Jamir and of course.. si Kuya. Ang Happy Umbrella pala ay isang cafe na malapit sa school at masarap din yung stuffs na binibenta nila dito. Napagdesisyunan namin ni Zen na sabihin nalang sa barkada since nalaman narin na man ni Jamir unexpectedly and dapat alng talaga naming sabihin para naman maging fair dba? And if your asking kung anong position namin eh.. katabi ko si Jamir at Zen tas sa harap namin sila Mitch. Nasabi na namin sa kanila yung real score about the family issue at di sila maka paniwala. I mean, who could believe such story dba? Na mismo kami nga ni Zen na ang main people na involve dito at ang subject.. This is such a twist of fate! I agree. I mean, all of us thought you guys were just childhood friends and now, your sibs! Omg! So, have you took the subject whole-heartedly? Napaisip kami nun ni Zen at nagkatinginan pa nga kami nun eh. Natangap ko na nga ba na may kapatid ako and not to mention dalawa pa? Pero okay narin yun dba? Th e more, the merrier ika nga nila. Humarap ako sa kanila at nagbeam ng smile. Siguro nga tangap ko na dahil maluwan g na sa dibdib ko yung mga pangyayari at mas okay narin dahil nasabi na namin sa barkada at di kailangan pang itago or ikaila. So, we will take that as a? Yes! Nagtawanan naman kami lahat nun at yung mga boys ang kukulit. It's been a long t ime since naging ganito kami and I missed those times. Hindi ko iniexpect na ang pagiging magkapatid pala namin ni Zen ang magbabalik ng bonding moments namin. But wait guys... What do you plan to do next? What do you mean Karl? I mean, since magkapatid nga sila dba, dapat may gawin sila to complete the fami ly and that's...

to talk to our father. Dumating na yung araw na pinaka hihintay ko at ni Kuya na haharap kami kay Tita Zusy at Papa. Hindi ko alam kung anong nararamdaman ko basta feeling ko eh naiih ihi ako at di mapakali. Butterflies in your tummy kung baga. Nandito ako with Jamir sa tapat ng house nila Zen since hinatid niya ako. May la kad kasi siya at on the way naman kaya niya ako hinatid. Nung lumabas na sa gate si Zen eh nagbid good bye narin kami ni Jamir pero before pa man ako makababa h inawakan ni Jamir yung kamay ko.. I love you... Napangiti naman ako sa sinabi niya at hinug ko siya. Ang bago niya talaga kahit kailan and for sure after 4 years.. I'll miss this smell. Kiniss ko naman yung c heek niya at bumaba na talaga ako sa car since nakatingin na sa amin si Kuya at naghihintay na. Pagdaan nung kotse bumusina si Jamir at umalis na. Ngumiti lang naman kami ni Ku ya at nagwave bye na. Hinrap ako ni Kuya at umakbay sa akin at di lang basta akb ay dahil diniin niya talaga. Are you ready? Nafeel ko na nagfade away yung smile ko at bumalik nanaman yung feeling na kinak abahan. I mean I get this feeling often especially pag may sinasalihan akong com petitions or grand meetings pero mas grabe ngayon eh. Tama nga sila na blood is thicker than water which means mas grabe ang nafefeel mo pag sa family ang pinag uusapan. Don't worry sis! Kaya mo yan.. Hinawakan niya yung kamay ko at hinigpitan niya ito. Siguro kung may makakakita sa amin na taga school at hindi alam na magkapatid kami, iisipin nanaman nila na kami na ni Zen which is my Kuya. Alam kong nakakailang pa pero kailangan tangap in eh at alam ko na si Jamir talaga ang mahal ko as a boyfriend and a bestfriend . Pumasok na kami sa house nila at lalong bumilis pa yung tibok ng puso ko. Ang in iexpect ko na sasalubong sa amin ay si Zara since parati siya sa sala pero wala raw siya dahil may pinuntahan siya with her friends and the thing is di niya pa alam na magkapatid kami. Your here! Sinalubong ni Tita Zusy si Zen ng isang malaking hug tapos tumingin naman sa aki n si Tita at nilapitan naman ako at hinawakan yung face ko. Naiiyak pa nga siya nun eh pero naka ngiti parin. Tears of joy kung baga. I just talked with your mom and she told me alot of things about you my dear. Napangiti rin ako nung sinabi niya yun at naghug kami kaya naman bumitaw ako sa pagkahawak sa kamay ni Kuya dahil nga kinakabahan ako. Ang sarap pala ng feeling pag may dalawa kang mom dba? ^__^ Are they here hun? Kumawala kaming dalawa ni Tita Zusy sa paghug dahil sa narinig ko na familiar na boses. Yung boses na for almost 8 years eh sa phone ko lang narinig. Yung boses na inaasam asam kong makita at mayakap pero kahit ganun hindi ako nagtanim ng g alit sa kanya because kahit anong gawin... siya parin ang daddy ko.

Lumabas siya from the kitchen and I found myself smiling at him. Siya parin yung kinilala kong tatay na mahilig magluto, mid-built at matangkad, pala ngiti at o pen sa kahit anong bagay. Siya parin talaga yung tatay na nagdala sa akin sa mun dong ito. Pa... Di na ako nagpaliguy-ligoy pa at niyakap ko na siya agad and he hugged me back. Yun bang yakap na inaasam asam mo through out the years. Yung amoy na hinahanap hanap mo sa paligid and yung warmth na gusto mong maramdaman everytime.. ito na nga yun. I missed you so much hija. You don't have any idea how many years I wanted to hu g you.. I think I have an idea dad.. Tama na nga yan. Let's go have lunch guys! Pinunasan namin yung mga tracks ng tears at dumeretsyo ng kitchen. I already sen t an SMS kay mom at dad(James) about what happened and all. Nung nasa kitchen ka mi at kumakain eh panay story tungkol sa past things at yung pamumuhay ng family namin sa States. It was all fun actually. Nung after lunch eh dumeretsyo kami sa living room at nagscan ng photos. We all laughed and refreshed every memory na natago namin not only in our minds but als o in our hearts. This was the time nadapa si Zara at nabira niya yung shorts ni Zen. It was a picture nasa mud si Zara at nakababa yung shorts ni Zen. Tumawa uli kam i ng malakas at walang tigil. Narinig nalang namin yung pagopen ng gate pero bin aliwala lang namin then we found ourselves starring at Zara sa door na naka smil e....

Sister! **** Kung tinatanong niyo what happened after nung pagdating ni Zara eh naging okay n aman. Yun pala from the very start na nasabi yung issue kay Zen eh alam narin ni ya na magkapatid kami and she told us na it rocks raw kasi para kaming twins sin ce it's Zara and Jara. Na open rin yung topic about sa orange allergy which nakuha namin ni Zen sa side ni Papa. Ang funny nga eh kasi nung hapon rin nun eh sabay-sabay kaming nagka a llergy dahil kumain kami ng orange pie accidentally. Monday na ngayon and it's already the last week of February and last day ng fina l exams namin ngayon. Maaga sa amin dahil graduating kami at para mas longer yun g time para sa grad practice. Excited na nga lahat eh pero syempre may kaba pari n dahil magcocollege na kami. Nandito kami ngayon sa church since birthday raw ng dad niya ngayon at gusto niy ang magpray kay God for his father which is pumayag naman ako. At least alam ko dba na malakas ang faith ng boyfriend ko kay God. After nung pagpray eh napansin ko na medyo malungkot siya at problemado. Siguro dahil na hohome sick siya at it's been years na na di siya nakakapunta sa birthd ay ng dad niya. Are you okay? Have you talked to your dad? Yeah. We did this morning and he told me about how's the palace. Really? So his gonna have a party later? No but he asked one thing though... What did he asked? If I can bring my girl to Italy and marry her there. Nagulat ako sa sinabi niya. Marriage? Italy? to a Prince? Isn't he insane? Nung sinabi niya yun eh nafeel ko na para bang tumigil yung heart beat ko pero at the same time bumilis yung paghinga ko. Ang gulo ng utak ko ngayon! There's nothing wrong with it love. Hinawakan niya yung kamay ko at humarap sa akin. Nafefeel ko na half of him is e xcited for my answer but half of him is scared to know my answer. Sa totoo lang rin di ko pa alam dahil nga gulong gulo ako as of this moment. There's a big problem love.. I'm not ready to be married. We will still live normal, I mean we will still go to school, hang out with frie nds and visit Philippines often. Now tell me what's missing? My freedom..

Pareho kaming napayuko at natahimik sa sinabi ko. Tama naman ako dba? I'm only 1 6 and I still want to do lots of things and to hang out with my friends and all. But if I'll get married early, how can I fulfill my dreams and desires? Sorry, it was my fault. I shouldn't asked you this question from the start. Love, wait! Tumayo siya at nagumpisang lumakad palabas ng church. Alam ko nasaktan siya dahi l sa sinabi ko pero mas okay na yun kesa naman sabihin kong pagiisipan ko muna t apos sa end eh aayaw parin pala ako, ang pangit naman nun dba? Love, I'm sorry. You don't have to be. I understand you love! I think you don't! I do cause this is my second rejection. Nagulat ako sa sinabi niya that time. Nasa labas na siya ng church nun and ako a y nasa 2nd to the last row pa. Feeling ko nun eh dumikit yung paa ko sa ground a nd di ko na matangal and all I can do is let those words sink in. Naglakad siya papunta sa kintatayuan ko at hinawakan ang shoulder ko. Tiningnan niya ako sa mata na para bang sinasabi na "give me another chance". Mahal ko tal aga siya pero hindi ko pa kaya ang hinihiling niya. When I was out of the palace, dad let me meet alot of girls when I was in EFS. H e told me they were daughters of well-known business men and rich class girls bu t neither one of them I didn't liked until Andrea came. Okay wait.. If your asking who is Andrea, actually siya ang first true love ni J amir nung nasa EFS pa nga sila. He told me things about her expecially yung desi re ni Andrea maka puntang Africa to help people who are living in poverty. I'm n ot jealous about it dahil I agree na isang mabait na babae si Andrea. I loved her so much that I was already numb to feel pain but I felt pain again w hen she rejected my love and nevertheless, my proposal. There she was, the girl of my dreams, flew to Africa and here I am with my life now. When I first saw yo u.. you resemble a person in my life... my mom. Nagulat ako sa sinabi niya dahil kahit kailan raw walang nakapantay sa mom niya sa puso niya tapos ngayon I resemble her? How? Sabi pa nga ni Jamir ang una niya ng ipapaint ay ang special na tao sa buhay niya which is his mom and the second will be his life at you heard it right... he called me his life. It may sound absurd but I'm being true here and if you still won't accept my pro posal. It's okay, I understand you love. Niyakap niya ako that time at napaisip ako. Naisip ko na kung magpapakasal man a ko sa kanya eh magiging forever kami at alam ko na ang lalaking kayakap ko ngayo n eh hindi ako sasaktan dahil mahal niya ang mom niya at may faith siya. Love.. Tumingin siya sa akin at yung hazel eyes na yun na pinalalambot ang puso ko ay n akatutok nanaman sa akin. His lips was rose red and he was simply irresistible. Now the only thing we both have to do is talk to my parents dahil...

I wan't to get engaged with you. **** After sa simbahan eh dumeretsyo na kami sa bahay at sinabi namin kay mommy at da ddy about sa engagement. Pumayag naman sila since engagement pa naman daw at may trust sila sa akin at kay Jamir. Sinabi narin namin kila Papa at kila Zen. Syem pre naman noh! Pamilya ko rin sila at part sila ng mga taong dapat nandun sa eng agement party namin. We decided na after ng graduation, sa gabi ang engagement. Actually dalawa ang m agiging party, dito at sa Italy. Ipinaalam narin namin sa mga tao dun since fami ly sila ni Jamir at nakausap ko rin yung dad ni Jamir at natuwa siya sa akin. Ngayon eh nandito kami sa auditorium kasama ang 6 na sections sa 4th year at hal os binubuo ng almost 50 students each section. Oo, graduation na namin at as of this moment eh binibigay na ang diplomas. Tapos na yung section namin at section na nila Zen. Love, did you heard me? Huh? Sorry I wasn't listening. I said are you ready for tonight? Y-yeah. My dress is in the car and I already have a hair dresser for tonight. Great. Pagkatapos nun eh kiniss niya ako sa forehead tapos hinawakan niya ang kamay ko at napabugtong hininga nalang ako. Kinakabahan ako tonight dahil nga engagement party nanamin at maraming tao ang pupunta and not to mention lilipad na kami ng Italy 3 days after this. After nung graduation eh umalis na ako agad since konti na lang yung time at kai

langan pa akong ayusan. Sumama si Kuya Zen sa akin dahil sinabihan ko siya na ka ilangan ko siya ngayon. Nagstop naman kami sa parlor. Okay ka lang? Ha? Ah.. oo! Kinakabahan ka ano? Umupo siya sa tabi ko at tiningnan ako through the mirror. Para ngang ang awkwar d nung tingin niya or napaparanoid lang talaga ako. Ang gulo kasi eh! Ang daming bagay sa utak ko pero lahat eh mga tanong. Tanong kung anong pwede mangyari at hindi mangyari. Ang ganda mo 'tol! Babaeng babae ka. Nakx naman oh! Hinampas ko siya ng pabiro sa braso at tumawa kaming dalawa. Si Kuya talaga alam na alam kung paano ako patawanin. Minsan nga iniisip ko kung di kami magkapatid tas nalaman niyang iiengage ako kay Jamir, ano kaya gagawin niya noh? ANG GULO! Wag ka magalala If ever your not ready to get engaged, I'll fly you way up to the sky sis. Epilogue Speaker phone: Ciao l, sono attualmente dalla casa cos soddisfo il permesso il vos tro messaggio ed otterr indietro su voi quando ottengo domestico. Lotti di amore! Hey sweetheart! Its been a long timeMom! Oh? I thought you were out of the house dahil speaker sumagot sa akin? I'm packing my things that's why I didn't answered after a few rings. How are yo u? Packing your things for what? May town trip kami somewhere here lang. I see. Did you brought your meds? How about some mosquito cream? OMom! Okay.. Enough said! By the way, I called cause sabi ng Kuya mo di ka na raw tuma tawag sa kanya? I tried to call him last Tuesday but after a dozen rings, he didn't picked it up . He has graveyard shift on Tuesday darling! Alam mo naman ang time interval dba? Oh God! I forgot mom. Sorry. But don't you worry, in a while I'll call him. You must okay? Malapit na ang birthday ng Kuya mo and he misses you much. Opo, I'll call him. By the way mom, send my regards to pops and dad okay? I miss you all there!

I told you kasi na umuwi ka na dito eh, ayaw mo naman. Kung bibisita rin kami di yan aMa! We already talked about this dba? I'm already 22 so don't treat me like a ba by na. O sige na nga. I have to go cause pupunta pa ako sa wedding ng Tita Rita mo. Okay! I love you sweetheart and we miss you so much. I miss you too. Ha caduto la linea ed ho disposto il telefono vicino alla televisione e- Wait! W hy am I narrating in Italian? AGAIN! Okay, now let me start all over again. Siguro nagtataka kayo kung bakit tumawag si mommy and telling me na umuwi na ako and all at tsaka why I am speaking in It alian. It's beacause I've been living here sa Italy for 6 years now.. Yes, 6 years of being an Italian living girl. After nung engagement party sa Phi lippines way back forth year graduation eh dumeretsyo agad kami ni Jamir sa Ital y at pinakilala niya ako sa family niya. I must say they are really a royal fami ly full of happiness pero....

I said no to the marriage.

Yes, I said no to our marriage. Everybody was shocked with my decision since eng age na nga kami nun pero later on, I realized kahit gaano man kaganda manirahan sa isang palasyo at mabuhay na kasama ang mahal mo and not to mention isa pang p rince.. Iba parin ang mamuhay ng simple, normal at puno ng freedom. I grabbed my phone and hinananap yung name ni Kuya sa phonebook. Nung nakita ko na eh, tinawagan ko agad. Umabot ako ng 5 rings at pag 5th ring nga eh, sinagot niya na. First, silence filled the line pero nagsalita din siya. Yo! Buti naman you decided to call me back after a few weeks of not speaking to you dba? Ito naman, tampo agad! I've been really busy scouting for a new condo and you kn ow that. Di mo parin sinasabi kila Tita noh? His right, di ko pa nga sinasabi since ayokong magfreak out sila. I remember na once I decided to switch into another condo, sinabi nila bibili raw agad sila ng ticket so they could help me kaya nga di ako naka change nun eh. So I decided w ag muna sabihin sa kanila. You know them Kuya. Magfrefreak out si mommy and worst, lilipad pa yun papunta d ito. Bakit ba kasi lilipat ka pa ng condo sis?

Ang layo nga kasi sa work ko kung dito ako titira and besides, kung lilipat ako dun sa 4th street eh, kasama ko na si Solangee and mas madali na kasi kasama ko siya if ever we have stuffs to do dba? Okay fine.. You win! But promise me sasabihin mo sa kanila if nakalipat ka na, o kay? I will, don't worry! Biglang natahimik yung line kasi may kinuha ata si Kuya at nung bumalik siya sa phone eh parang ang heavy ng paghinga niya. Tapos may narinig pa akong parang ma y nahulog ata. Ang gulo sa kabilang line actually. Sorry for that.. It's okay.. Sis.. I miss you already! You don't have any idea how homesick I am. It's been 6 years already... ..and you don't have any plans to go back? Not yet, alam mo namang may 2 taon pa ako dito dba? I still have my job, my frie nds here and of course... Jamir's memory? Kuya! Alam ko you haven't moved on pa and you always tell me na parati kayong naguusap every Friday ni Lucas.. I understand you Jara. I think you really do. Tumahimik ulit yung line and at this point I felt warm water running down my eye s and I know it was tears. Tears of pain, happiness and also dahil sa hindi pa n ga ako totally naka move on. I know it was my decision and it was for the better . Someday, maiintindihan rin to ng puso ko.. Okay, I think I have to go. Gee is waiting for me and I don't wanna be late. Sen d my hug to Zara! I miss you all. Sis.. Yeah? I love you okay? I love you too kuya. After nun eh na cut na yung line and I found myself starring at my wallpaper. Ye ah, it's me and Jamir back when we were still together. Wala akong dapat pagsisi han dahil desisyon ko lahat at natangap naman niya yun eh. Para rin to sa akin. Nung paglabas ko ng condo ko eh, nilock ko na siya at iniwan ko na yung susi dun sa front desk dahil nga lilipat na ako. Pinakuha ko sa mga taga Help Me Pack gu ys and if your asking sino sila, sila yung mga workers sa company na yun. Kung s a Philippines pa eh Lipat Bahay ang tawag.

Nung paglabas ko nung building eh tiningnan ko ito from first to the 37th floor. I'll miss this place dahil marami narin ako naging memories diyan like when Chl oe and Mitch visited me here last year and sa place ko sila nagstay for 2 weeks. Tsaka yung pagvisit ng NRS friends ko. If your asking kung anong status na nila Chloe and the gang ngayon eh, okay nama n ang college life nila. Ang nagaaral nalang eh si Mitch at Diane dahil kumuha s ila ng 7 year course. Si Karl, naghihintay nalang ng board exam para maging lega l architect na. Si Chloe naman ang nagmamanage ng business ng mommy niya na isan g boutique. Nung paglingon ko sa likod ko eh nagulat ako sa nakita ko. There's this 5'9 guy standing infront of me wearing a leather jacket and matching leather shoes. Naka tingin siya sa akin at naka todo smile pa. And this guy is...

Lucas.

What are you doing here? It's not Friday. So ma ho sentito la vostra vita questo posto.[I know but I heard your living thi s place.] Yeah and I'm gonna live on 4th street starting now. E dimenticherete le memorie qui?[And you'll forget the memories here?] Of course not. I will treasure all of it here.. in my heart. Come circa il tipo la vostra comunicazione con ora?[How about the guy your talki ng to now?] Tiningnan ko siya from head to toe at napansin kong nakalagay yung hands niya sa loob ng pocket ng jacket niya at naka smile naman siya sa akin. Inulit ko sigur o yung paghead to toe sa kanya ng tatlong times at grinab ko yung arm niya. Let's go and have some snack! We did as I said pero syempre pumunta muna kami dun sa new condo ko sa 4th stree t and iniwan yung stuffs ko sa loob ng condo and I got the keys and paid the fir st three months. I've been looking for a good condo for months and ang napili ko ay yung sa Twinkle Town sa 4th street. After leaving Twinkle Town dumeretsyo kami ni Lucas sa Consumo di Verdure, a veg etarian restaurant. Kumain kami dun at nagusap about alot of things. Things abou t him and his girlfriend, the palace people and of course his brother... Jamir. So how is he? Suo che fanno benissimo ma il suo sempre occupato perch il dad lo desidera andare a Londra per una certa accoglienza della stampa e lui non desiderano a ma non h a alcun'opzione.[His doing fine but his always busy because dad wants him to go

to London for some press coverage and he doesn't want to but he doesn't have any option.] Give him some good sights and feedbacks about London so he'll change his mind an d will look forward about going there. Napatingin sa akin si Lucas that time at tumigil siya sa pagkain. Nagtaka naman ako kung bakit ganun nalang yung pag respong niya sa sinabi ko. Wala naman akong sinabi na masama or rude dba? Or did I said something na masama or rude? What? Vostro realmente sappia incitare il mio fratello a cambiare idea Risse.[Your rea lly know how to make my brother change his mind Risse.] I guess I really do and... it hurts. Ancora lo amate?[You still love him?] Nagnod ako at tumingin lang sa left side ko and napansin ko na may police na tin utulungan yung mga bata na magcross ng street. Perch non-[Why don't you-] I don't want to cause I want to stand up all alone. I want to prove everybody I' m not a little girl anymore and I want freedom Lucas and you know it. Ma se cambiate idea mai...[But if ever you change your mind...] Hinawakan niya yung kamay ko that time and I remembered Jamir from the look in L ucas' eyes. They both have same eye color but mas dark and expressive kay Jamir and mas longer din ang wavey brown hair ni Jamir compared to his older brother a nd I know... deep inside me, it's still him from the very start. ... Jamir ancora aperto averlo indietro. After nung sinabi sa akin ni Lucas na Jamir still is open to have you back and a lso, ang dad nila. Napalapit na sa akin ang family ni Jamir kaya naman it's not easy to move on and I won't forget them also pero my decision of not living with them is final and ayokong magkaroon ng obligation sa bansang Italy. I am better off being a ordinary person. Lumabas na ako ng resto at dumeretsyo sa garden na katabi nito. Naalala ko ito y ung place kung saan kami parati ni Jamir at yung bench na inuupuan ko ang bench na parati naming inuupuan. 50% of my memories are made up with Jamir and I hope. ... CLICK! Posso lasciarlo tutto dietro. <PIXTEL_MMI_EBOOK_2005>32</PIXTEL_MMI_EBOOK_2005>