Chapter 1

"Syrbia, nand'yan ka na pala," bungad ni manang pagkabukas niya ng gate.

"Nasaan po sila Mama?" tanong ko.

Hapon na nang maka-uwi ako galing ospital. Naihatid na rin namin si Zea sa bahay nila. Hinabol ko pa 'yong lalaki sa rooftop kanina, hindi ko naman na naabutan.

But until now, I was still frustrated. That isn't my first kiss, yes! But that's the first time I experienced a damn french kiss and worst, sa hindi ko pa kilala! I exhaled an air. Nakakainis.

"Nandoon sa loob at pinagagalitan na naman ang Papa mo." Manang gestured me to go inside. Pumasok ako sa loob ng bahay at naabutan sila Mama na pababa ng hagdan.

"Baka naman iba ang tinrabaho mo kagabi kaya anong oras ka na nakauwi!" My mother said while she was walking down the stairs with my father behind her back.

"Mahal naman, may sinurveilance lang kami kagabi," sagot ni Papa habang pinipilit hawakan ang kamay niya.

Napailing na lang ako, sanay na sa ganitong scenario nilang dalawa. Maya-maya naman okay na sila.

"Malaman ko lang talaga, Symon! Hindi ako magdadalawang isip na putulin yang kaligayahan mo!"

Umakyat na lang ako sa kwarto sa taas at hindi na sila pinansin. I knew my mother. Ayokong madamay sa inis niya kay Papa. I didn't want to be scolded by her. I can't bear another headache.

When I opened the door of my room, I saw Coleen, my 7 years old sister dancing in front of her iPad's camera. "Wow, tiktokerist," I mocked. She looked at me before rolling her eyes.

"I used your liptint," Coleen informed me. Saka ko lang napansin ang namumula niyang labi. Lumapit ako at pinitik ang noo niya.

"Ouch!" She yelled then caressed her forehead. "Isusumbong kita kay Mama!"

I rolled my eyes. "Whatever."

Coleen glared at me. "What if magka-scar ako? Gosh." She dramatically inhaled an air before stepping out of our room. I shook my head. Ang arte.

Nagpahinga lang ako saglit bago tumayo para mag-shower. Inabot ako ng 20 minutes sa loob ng CR. Nagbihis ako ng short at white over size shirt pagkatapos bago bumaba para kumain.

"Papa, si ate she pulled my hair po kanina. I don't know why. I was just dancing lang naman po." I heard Coleen whispering while we were eating dinner. When did I pull her hair? I just flicked her forehead! How could a 7 years old girl be this witch?

I swallowed the food on my throat. "When did I do that?" I raised a brow. "Do you want me to pull your tounge out your mouth?"

She furrowed her brows before making a face. Bakit ba sumobra naman ng maldita 'to? I wasn't like this when I was a child. Where the hell did she get that attitude?

"Ano na naman 'yan? Kayong dalawa hindi na kayo nagkasundo, kung magpatayan na lang kaya kayo?" Si Mama na kagagaling lang sa kusina.

Binaba ni Papa ang hawak niyang kubyertos. "Ikaw ang matanda, Syrbia. Hindi mo dapat pinapatulan ang kapatid mo."

Tumango na lang ako at hindi na nagsalita para matapos na at makakain na 'ko nang tuloy-tuloy. Coleen smiled at me when I looked at her, mocking me. I really wanted to pull her hair this time.

After finishing the dinner, I went upstairs so I could rest already. I brushed my teeth and do my night skincare routine before going to bed. I sighed, remembering the things that happened today. Ugh. Sobrang stressful.

Saktong humarap ako sa kabilang side ng kama nang pumasok si Coleen. Hawak niya ang iPad niya nang humiga siya sa sarili niyang kama. We're sleeping in the same room. Tinaasan ko siya ng kilay nang tinignan niya ako.

She scoffed. "Stop staring at me. Nakaka-bother ang eye bags mo," she insulted then threw a pillow at me.

What the heck. My eye bags weren't that obvious! Sinamaan ko siya ng tingin. Balak ko pa sanang gumanti pero pagod na ako sa dami nang nangyari ngayong araw. Bukas na lang siguro. Talagang sasabunutan ko na siya.

I thought I would be able to sleep but I ended up staring at the ceiling, touching my lips. I frowned. The audacity of that man to french kiss me! We don't even know each other! Hindi ko alam kung makaka-move on ba ako sa nangyari sa 'akin sa rooftop.

I clicked my tongue and faced the other side of the bed. Hindi naman ako malikot matulog pero ngayon, naka-ilang biling na 'ko sa kama kaka-isip sa lalaking 'yon. Ha! Sana mahulog siya sa kama kung natutulog na siya ngayon.

"Syrbia!"

When morning came, I was woke up by my mother's loud voice. I wondered if she swallowed a microphone. Ang lakas ng boses.

Malakas niyang kinatok ang pinto. "Ano ba? Gumising ka na diyan at tanghali na!"  

I sat on the bed, still closing my eyes. I sighed before taking the comforter off my body. What time is it that she's already nagging at me? Tumayo ako at binuksan ang pinto. Wala na si Coleen sa higaan niya, kanina pa siguro nasa baba.

Sumimangot ako. "Ma, naman."

"O, bakit? Anong oras na nakahiga ka pa d'yan," kunot noo niyang sabi. "Halika at ihatid mo 'tong adobo sa bago nating kapitbahay. Aba, Kiela Syrbia, magpaaraw ka naman sa umaga. Daig mo pa ang bampira."

I couldn't stop frowning. Ang aga pa naman. I grabbed the paper bag that she was holding. Tupperware ang laman no'n nang sinilip ko. Bakit ba kasi kailangan pang bigyan ng ulam?

"I'll go downstairs after washing my face," I said.

Nagtungo ako sa CR para maghilamos at mag-toothbrush. Bumaba na rin agad ako nang matapos. Hawak-hawak ko ang paper bag na pinadala ni Mama habang hinihintay kong  magbukas ang gate ng katapat naming bahay pagkatapos kong mag-doorbell.

"Hi, I'm-" I couldn't finish my sentence anymore when the same guy from the rooftop opened the gate. My eyes widened. Don't tell me he's our new neighbor?!

"Hey, what are you doing here?" he asked, parang nagtataka pa kung bakit nasa harap niya 'ko ngayon. I narrowed my eyes at him and didn't give him an answer. He wasn't the only confused here!

"Sinusundan mo ba ako?" His forehead creased.

My lips parted. He's thinking that I followed him? Really? Ang kapal ng mukha. Saan siya kumukuha ng lakas ng loob?

"Tanga ka ba? Bakit naman kita susundan? After what you did to me yesterday?!" He was so frustrating.

He put his hand in front of him. "O, puso mo. Relax ka lang." He gestured me to calm down.

Napasinghal ako. Paano ako kakalma kung siya ang karap ko? He's the reasonwhy my blood is boiling right now. I pinned my eyes on him. I was thinking if I should throw the tupperware on his face. Sasagot pa sana ako nang may magsalita sa likod niya.

"Joaquin, are you talking with someone?" A woman stood beside him. I noticed their similar features. Maybe she was his mother.

"Wala, mommy. May stalker lang," he said and even painted an annoying smile on his lips.

Oh my god. Stalker?! Excuse me? Ang ganda ko namang stalker kung gano'n!

"Hi! Is there something that we can do for you?" Bumaling sa'kin ang babae.

Umiling ako at ngumiti sa kanya. I was about to hand her the paper bag when I heard my mother's voice.

"Syrbia!" tawag ni Mama sa' kin habang naglalakad siya palapit. "Naibigay mo na ba 'yong pinabibigay ko sayo?" tanong niya at tumayo sa tabi ko.

I shook my head. "I was about to," I whispered to her.

Inagaw niya sa'kin ang hawak ko at nakangiting humarap sa mga kausap ko kanina. "Hi! Nagluto ako ng adobo para sa inyo. Pang-welcome lang," sabi niya bago inabot ang paper bag. "D'yan kami sa katapat na bahay," dagdag niya at tinuro pa ang bahay namin.

The woman smiled widely. "Thank you! I appreciate your effort."

Ngumiti lang si Mama at tumango. Sunod niyang binalingan 'yong Joaquin na kanina pa rin nakikinig gaya ko. "Anak mo? Aba ay kay gandang binata naman pala."

Agad na nagsalubong ang kilay ko sa sinabi niya. Why is she so nice today? She even... complimented that guy. Ugh. What a morning.

Joaquin's mom offered her hand. "Yes, anyway, I'm Jessy Rigues and.. you are?"

"Ria." Tinanggap ni Mama ang pakikipag-kamay niya.

"You're so thoughtful."

"Nako, wala 'yon! Talagang ganito lang ako kapag may bago kaming kapitbahay," My mother answered, her smile was not fading.

Aangal sana ako nang kurutin niya ako sa tagiliran. I frowned and mouthed 'ouch' because of that. It hurt!

"Ang gwapo pala ng anak mo, 'no?" pag-ulit niya sa sinabi niya kanina habang pasimple akong hinahatak palapit. "May nobya na ba 'yan?" Ngumiti siya sa babae.

"He's single."

"Gano'n? Eto ring si Kiela Syrbia single!"

"Ma!" Nahiya ako bigla. I wanted to cover her mouth.

"O, e, bakit? Totoo naman. Gusto mo magpaligaw ka na sa kanya." She looked at Joaquin, smiling. "Hindi mo ba siya type, hijo?"

Nabaling ang atensyon ko kay Joaquin nang mahina siyang tumawa. Nakapamulsa niya akong tinignan habang nakasandal sa gate nila. Gusto kong pumadyak sa inis.

"Pwede na po," he said before biting his lower lip to stop himself from laughing so hard.

Ugh! He's so annoying!

"Fuck you," pabulong na sabi ko pero sapat na para siya lang ang makarinig. Tinawanan niya lang ako. Sobrang nakakairita!

"O, siya, una na kami, Jessy. Talagang idinaan lang namin 'yang adobo sainyo," nakangiting paalam ni Mama at hinatak na ako patalikod.

Pagkapasok namin sa bahay, padabog akong dumiretso sa kusina para uminom ng tubig at pakalmahin ang sarili ko. I hate him. And what did he say? Pwede na? Parang lugi at napipilitan pa siya! I wonder kung ilang pages ba ang meron sa mukha ng lalaking 'yon? Sobrang kapal, e.

I looked at my phone when it beeped. Nag-text si Inna kaya agad kong binasa 'yon.

From: Inna

girl may copy ka ng coverage ng exam bukas? Pasend kung meron hehe tyia!

Muntik ko nang maibuga ang iniinom ko pagkabasa no'n. Oh my gosh. I wanted to bang my head on the table. Why did I forget about it?!

May exam nga pala kami bukas! Last day na ngayon ng 1 week na undas break namin. Bago 'yon magsimula ay ibinigay na sa' min  ang coverage ng exam. Nasa kalahati pa lang ang nare-review ko!

Kaagad akong nagtipa ng reply.

To: Inna

Okay, 5 minutes.

Umakyat na ako sa kwarto namin para kuhanin ang mga kailangan kong gamitin sa pag re-review bago sinend kay Inna ang hinihingi niya. Bumaba ulit ako. Sa sala na lang ako mag aaral, kaya ko naman sigurong tapusin 'to. Crossed fingers lang.

I just opened a book when my mother went downstairs. "Syrbia, sunduin mo na nga si Coleen kila Princess at kakain na tayo."

Napatingin ako sa kanya. "Ma, naman. I'm about to start reviewing," reklamo ko.

"Saglit lang naman, Syrbia. Ang tagal kasi ng bakasyon mo, ngayon mo lang naisipan mag-aral? Kung kailan bukas na ang pasok mo tsaka ka mag mamadali kung hindi ka ba naman kasi tama-" Pinutol ko na ang sasabihin niya.

Tumayo na ako at pinagpag ang suot kong shorts. "Fine. I'll do it." I sighed.

Nang makalabas ako sa gate, natanaw ko agad si Coleen na parang may kausap. Mabilis akong naglakad nang makilala kung sino 'yon.

"So, Joaquin Rigues, that's your name?" I heard my sister. "What's your i*******m account? I'll follow you!"

Anong follow? What are they talking about? I walked faster. Hanggang gabi ba naman kailangan ko pa siyang makita? This is too much irritation to handle!

"Coleen!" I called my sister. Halos tatlong hakbang na lang ang layo ko sa kanya.

Lumingon siya sa'kin "What?!" salubong ang dalawang kilay na tanong niya, parang galit pa na naistorbo siya.

I didn't bother answering her, instead, I looked at Joaquin. "Anong sinasabi mo sa kapatid ko?" I raised an eyebrow. "You're probably saying bad words!"

I earned a laugh from him. My forehead wrinkled. Is there something funny with what I said? Parang wala naman. I'm just asking, why would he laugh? Nakakainis.

"Ikaw, tamang duda ka," he said, wearing his fucking annoying smile.

"I don't ca—Aray!" napasigaw ako nang bigla akong kurotin ni Coleen na nasa likuran ko.

She crossed her arms. "Ate, what are you talking about? I was the one who talked to him first. I asked him if paano siya nakapasok sa village kasi I never saw him naman before, e," she explained while playing with her curly hair.

Joaquin pushed his tongue against his cheek, suppressing his smile. Tinaasan ko siya ng kilay. Bakit siya nangingiti? Kanina pa siya! Naiirita na 'ko!

"Is there any problem?" Coleen's brows furrowed when she noticed how I stared at Joaquin. "Ate, why do you look so pissed?" she asked me.

Umiling ako. "I'm not. Let's  just go inside." I grabbed her arm to pull her with me but she stayed still.

Tumingin siya kay Joaquin. "Anyway, I haven't introduced myself yet. I'm Coleen," pakilala niya bago nilahad ang kamay sa kaharap.

I was just standing there beside her, watching how she smiled at the man in front of us. Nag-iwas ako ng tingin, bahagyang magkasalubong ang dalawang kilay. Don't tell me she has a crush on him?

Joaquin chucked before accepting my sister's hand. "Nice to meet you." He gave her a smile.

Coleen smiled. "Nice meeting you too. We'll go back na, see you tomorrow." She waved her hand at nauna nang pumasok sa bahay.

Susunod na sana ako nang marinig kong umubo si Joaquin. Napairap ako sa hangin. Ano na naman? He isn't done yet? May gusto pang sabihin? Gosh. Do I really need to deal with him?

Muli ko siyang hinarap. "Ano na naman? Do you need something? Kailangan mo ba ng aruga?" tuloy-tuloy na tanong ko dahil sa inis.

He was so irritating. We should never talk again after this. I don't think I can hold myself back anymore. I mean, duh? He's so irritating. Ayaw ko sa vibes niya. It was making me annoyed. Ayoko sa kanya.

He tilted his head. "Bakit tinatanong mo? Gusto mo 'kong alagaan?"

Is he trying to flirt at this moment? Wow. Just wow. Ang landi pala nito, grabe. "Get lost, dumbass," I said before turning my back. Naglakad na ako pero nakakailang hakbang pa lang ako nang tawagin na naman niya ako.

"Kiela," he called.

I rolled my eyes. He knew my name now? Magkakilala na ba kami ngayon? It seems like that but I don't want to be close to him. I scoffed inside my head but I still turn around again to face him.

"What is it again this time?" I lazily asked, crossing my arms.

He put his hands on his pockets. "H'wag ka nang masungit," aniya, nakangiti.

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