Chapter 1

Oh giliw ko,

Miss na miss kita

Sanay lagi kitang kasama.

"Lyric?"

Mula sa pakikining ko ng music ko sa Spotify, nag angat ako ng tingin sa taong tumawag sa akin. First name basis pa kasi ang tawag sa akin. Ano akala niya, close ba kami?

"What?" Taas kilay kong tanong sa lalaki.

Tinignan ko siya mula ulo hanggang paa. Base on his uniform, he's from the medical department. 

Nanlaki ang mga mata niya saka napasuntok pa sa hangin, "Ikaw nga! Hi Lyric!" Nakangiting sabi niya at naupo pa sa tabi ko.

I consciously moved away a little. Mukha kasi siyang timang, hindi ko pa naman siya kilala, baka mamaya rapist pala ito eh, "Uh, sorry but who are you?"

Napapahiya siyang napakamot sa batok niya at napangiwi, "Y-you don't remember me?" Turo niya sa sarili.

Hindi, naaalala kita kaya nga ako nag tatanong eh

Kumunot ang noo ko sa kaniya, "Should I remember you, though?"

I was expecting that he will walk away because of my attitude towards him, but no. Tinawanan lang niya ako. Iyong taw na parang may isang joke akong sinabi sa kanya, na katawa-tawa talaga. Hindi naman sinabi nitong mokong na ito kung ano ang nakakatawa, edi sana nakitawa rin ako sa kanya.

Narinig ko ang pag buntong hininga niya, "I guess you already forgot me," he said at nag lahad ng kamay sa harapan ko, "I'm Sebastian Angelo Monteferrante."

Sebastian Angelo Monteferrante

Familiar ang name niya. I heard it som------

"Basti?!"

Sa sobrang pagkagulat ko, ay napatayo pa ako sa kinauupuan ko at hinarap siya. Maski siya ay nagulat sa biglaan kong pag tayo dahil nanlaki ang mga mata niya habang nakatingala sa akin.

Nag pakawala siya ng isang malakas na buntong hininga, na para bang may natanggal na bara sa lalamunan niya, "At last, you remember me! Akala ko makakalimutan mo itong gwapon nilalang na ito eh," he teased and made a 'pogi sign' pa.

I kicked his leg a little, "I'm sorry, I forgot you,” bumalik ako sa pagkakaupo sa tabi niya, “It's been, 15 years kasi eh. How are you?"  Nilingon ko siya muli.

"I'm fine thank you," he smirked at nag taas baba ang dalawang kilay niya .

Nag salubong ang dalawang kilay ko, at hinampas ko siya ng pagkalakas-lakas sa balikat niya, "Stupid! I'm asking here a serious question, so be serious nga,” umiling iling ako, “Hindi ka pa rin nag babago, maloko ka pa rin."

Tumawa na naman siya, before he run his fingers on his hair, "Okay naman. As you csn see, pogi pa," and he winked at me.

I gave him a digusting look, kaya tumawa ulit siya, "Kidding, ito naman hindi ka mabiro eh," ginulo niya ang buhok ko kaya inilayo ko ang ulo ko sa kanya.

"So kumusta naman ang Alaska? Did you already saw the Northern lights?" Sunod-sunod na tanong ko sa kanya while i clung my arms on him.

He nodded his head, "Jusmiyo, halos every month nakikita ko iyon."

Inalis ko ang pagkakakapit ko sa braso niya, "Why? Where do you live in Alaska?"

"Fairbanks."

I was about to say something when one of my friend pulled me. Irita akong tumingin sa kaibigan ko, "What do you need, Carla?"

Hinatak niya pa ako lalo palapit sa kanya, "Sino siya?" She whispered nginuso ang lugar ni Basti.

"Childhood friend, bakit?"                                  

Umiling lang siya saka ako nginisian, "Your friend is hot," pinaypayan pa niya ang sarili niya na para bang init na init siya.

“Gaga ka!” Umirap ako sa kawalan, "Oh tapos?"

She gigled and shook her head, "Nothing! Hinahanap ka naming ni Ger kanina,” nilingon niya sandal si Basti, “but I guess you have someone who will accompany you know, bye!"

With that ay iniwan niya na ako. I sighed before going back to Basti's place. Nandito kami ngayon nakaupo sa labas ng Main building ng UST. It's our lunch break, and I decided to roam around here after eating.

"Kaibigan mo?" Basti asked once I went back to his sit and I nodded my head.

"Where, were we?"

He leaned his back on the bench, his hand are on his nape, "Eh ikaw? Bakit spokening in euros ka na?" He asked while his eyes are closed. Nakatingala kasi siya.

Kumunot na naman ang noo ko, "Bawal? I studied in abroad when I was a senior high school."

Agad syang nag mulat ng mata at tinignan ako, "Ows, talaga? Saan?"

I shrugged, "New Zealand."

"Wow, big time!"

I looked at him, "Big time your face. Sino kaya yung nasa Alaska buong buhay niya?"

Agad syang ngumuwi at napakamot sa batok niya, "Me."

"Pero, hindi mo naman kinwento sa akin?" He asked and I rasied a brow on him.

"We lost our contact after you left," I answered at napa 'O' nalang ang bibig niya.

He stood up, kaya tumayo na rin ako, "Ikaw lang ang nawalan ng contact, kasi ako nakikita ko bawat post mo."

Napatigil ako sa paglalakad, to face him, "What?! Paano?!"

He chuckled at namulsa, "Social media?" He asked as if I'm dumb.

"I mean how? Wala naman tayong f******k accounts when we're still kids," I said and he shrugged.

"Search box?"

Pinaningkitan ko siya ng mata, "You know what, I'll go na."

I was about to turn my back when he hold my arms to stop me. Nilingon ko siya and he's now smiling, halatang nagpipigil ng tawa.

"I stalked your F******k account, para maging update sa buhay mo."

Umuwang ang labi ko. Teka….kiniklig ako! Ano ba namarn yan. Pero syempre di dapat pahalata.

"Stalker."

He smirked, "Gwapo naman ng stalker mo."

Inis kong tinanggal ang kamay niya na nasa braso ko para makapaglakad na palayo. Urgh! Kailangan atang iupdate ni PAG-ASA ang ang panahon ngayon, masyado kasing mahangin eh.

"Hey..."

Naabutan niya ako at agad niyang kinuha ang braso ko, "What, ba?"

"Engineering course?" He asked as he looked at my uniform.

I nodded my head, "Yup, second year," pinasadahan ko rin siya ng tingin, "Med, huh?"

He nodded his head, "Third year."

We part our ways since magkaiba ang building namin pareha. I saw my two friends who's talking outside the Engineering building. Tumakbo ako palapit sa dalawa at inakbayan sila pareha.

"So, kumusta pag uusap niyo ni Mr. Medicine?" Carla asked while she's smirking at me.

Napatakip sa bibig si Gerturde at tinignan ako. Niyugyog pa niya ang balikat ko ng bahagya, "May kakilala ka sa med?!"

Nag salubong ang dalawang kilay ko, "Well, yeah."

She stopped shaking my shoulders, "Now, who's this Mr. Medicine? Kanina  pa nag kukuwnto si Carla na may kausap ka raw sa tapat ng Main building na gwapong nilalang," binigyan niya ako ng nanlolokong tingin.

I looked at Carla, and she immediately gave me a peace sign. Binalik ko ang tingin ko kay Gertrude na ngayon ay nakahalukipkip.

"He's just my childhood friend.Nakalimutan ko na nga siya, kasi ilang taon na kaming hindi nagkita," I answered them.

"Guys, may faculty meeting ngayon, so walang klase sa buong hapon," one of our classmate announced.

Hindi ko kaklase sila Gertrude at Carla kaya nag kita nalang kaming tatlo sa labas ng building. Carla is there while sipping on her buko shake.

"Wala pa si Gertrude?" I asked once I got to her place.

Her gaze went up to look at me, "Wala pa eh."

"Ms. Chelsy."

I looked at the gay who called me. Agad na kumunot ang noo ko, dahil hindi ko naman ito kilala, but he's also and engineering student.

"Yes?" I asked him and he looked at his friends.

"Pare sige na, dinadaga ka na naman eh," one of his friends told that kaya kumunot na ang noo ko.

"Grab the opportunity pare, nandyan na si Ms. Engineering sa harapan mo," another friend said that.

"What is it?"

Inuubos niya ang oras ko, hindi niya nalang kasi diretsuhin ako eh. Agad na lumingon sa akin yung tumawag sa pangalan ko. He walked towards me and smiled at me. He's tall and very masculine. He has this perfect jaw and a perfect nose that suited his moreno color.

"Mason Denver Chua," he introduced himself at nag lahad ng kamay sa akin.

Hindi ko tinanggap ang kamay niya, at humalukipkip nalang, "Okay, anything else?" Tumaas ang isang kilay ko.

He looked at his friends again, as if he's asking for help. Napabuntong hininga ako at napailing bago hinatak si Carla paalis, but he called me again.

"Look Mr. Chua, if you have anything to say, feel free to say it right now. Huwag mong sinasayang oras ko."

"Chelsy I like you."

Kumunot ang noo ko at binitawan si Carla. I already saw Gertrude walking towards are direction, so I have to do this fast.

Lumapit ako sa lalaki at bored ko syang tinignan, "Anything else?"

Kumunot ang noo sa akin ng lalaki, "You know what, they're right, you have this kind of attitude that nobody likes."

Nginisian ko siya and tapped his shoulders, "I'll take that as a compliment. Ciao!'

I was about to turn my back when he said something that made me bother, "Remember this day, Chelsy. You're gonna regret this."

I lazily looked at him again, "Asshole, try me, wanna bet?"

With that ay hinatak ko na si Carla paalis. Sakto naman na dumating si Gertrude.

"Sayang wala ka, hindi mo nakita yung scene kanina, “ humagikhik ang loka, “Buti nga may buko shake ako na iniinom eh. Sayang walang popcorn," Carla said and clung her arms around Gerturde's.

Taka akong tinignan ni Gertrude, "Anyare? Pasagap naman ng chika, mahina signal ko eh."

I laughed before shaking my head, "Nothing much."

Ngumuso siya, "Ehh, naman eh, ang damot,” pumadyak padyak pa siya na para bang bata na hindi nabigyan ng kendi.

Umiling nalang ulit ako. We decided to roam around the campus. Bawal pa kasi kaming lumabas dahil Engineering department lang naman ang walang klase, the rest they all have. Unfair namna iyon sa ibang dept kung iiwan na namin sila sa campus.

"So ano ngang nangyari?" Pangungulit ni Gertrude pagkaupo namin dito sa Starbucks.

"Nandoon ka pa rin?" Tawang tanong ni Carla.

I ordered Java chip frap and a piece of Blueberry cheesecake, while Gertrude had some Blueberry cheesecake and Triple Mocha frap. Hindi na nag order ng frap si Carla because she already had some buko shake at baka mag rambol ang tyan niya, kaya Blueberry cheesecake nalang ang binili niya.

"Chelsy."

When my name was called, agad akong tumayo para kunin iyon. I was surpirse when Basti was there, holding my order.

"No class?" I asked before he handded me my order.

He shook his head, "Faculty meeting, kayo?"

I sighed, "Same."

"Sebastian!"

We both looked at the direction kung saan may tumawag sa kaniya, "Sige Noah, wait lang," Basti said before looking at me.

"I should go," paalam ko and he nodded his head.

"Mr. Medicine is here," nakangising sabi ni Gerturde pagkababa ko ng order ko sa mesa namin.

I sighed before taking out my straw, "Wala rin pala silang klase ngayon, akala ko tayo lang."

After finishing or snacks, we already went outside. Napagdeisyunan namin na pumunta nalang sa harapan ng main building at doon tumambay. I got my sketch pad and pencils habang nandito kami.

"Ano gagawin mo?" Carla asked while she's looking at my sketch pad.

"I will just draw the main building. I'm bored," I answered bago nag Indian seat.

Kaming tatlo ay may kaniya-kaniyang mundo. Carla is reading her notes, while Gertrude is just texting. Tahimik kaming tatlo at ramdam ko ang pag ihip ng hangin sa balat ko, kasabay ng pag hangin ng buhok ko. Hinarap ko ulit yung main building at tinignan iyon. Actually, halos lahat na nga ata ng building dito, na drawing ko na. Sinuot ko muli ang airpods ko bago nag sketch.

Panalangin ko sa habang buhay

Makapiling ka Makasama ka

Yan ang panalangin ko.

I'm also humming the tune of the song habang nag ssketch. 

"Chelsy,"

I looked at Gertrude who is now looking at me, "Yeah?"

Lumapit siya sa akin at pinakita niya ang phone sa akin. It's a video wherein the guy is holding a guitar while he's singing a tagalog love song. The girl is looking at him habang nakasilip ito sa bintana niya.

"Naalala lang kita dito. Diba gusto mo maranasan maganyan?" Gertrude asked once the video stopped playing.

Mula sa pagbabasa ni Carla ng notes, ay napunta sa amin ang atensyon niya, "Ano iyan? Harana?"

"Yup," Gertrude answered.

Bumuntong hininga ako at pinagpatuloy ang pagsketch ko. Yes, I want to experience the old way of pursuing someone. Para sa akin kasi, yung old style ng panunuyo sa babae, ay mas sincere o mas may meaning compared ngayon. I mean, I'm not against today's generation if their style is like that. You know, texting or yung tipong speed lang.

If I were given a chance to bring back the time, pupunta ako sa taon na uso pa ang mga harana, pamamanhikan, yung tipong old letter and poems sapat na. 

"Lyric."

Napatigil ako sa paglalakad ko paakyat sa hagdan ng bahay namin, nang tawagin ako ni dad. The devil is calling me again, and I should respect the calling so that I will not be able to go to hell.

I lazily looked at him, "Yes?"

"Are you doing well in your studies?" Dad asked and I sighed.

Of course, studies lang naman kinakamusta nila sa akin. Palaging , how’s your class, ang tanong hindi kumusta ka na?

"Yeah," I answered and went upstairs.

Nadaanan ko yung kwarto ni ate at nakasara iyon. I walked towards it and knocked three times, before the door opened.

"What do you need?" My sister asked.

My gaze went around her room. Ang dilim ng paligid at may naamoy akong kakaiba. Kahit madilim ay hindi nakatakas sa mata ko kung gaano kapula ang mga mata niya. I gulped before stepping back. Medyo nahihilo kasi ako sa amoy ng kwarto niya, at mukhang may kutob na ako kung ano ang ginagawa niya.

"Look if you don't need anything, I will close---"

"A-are you doing fine?"

Inirapan niya ako, "As if you care," with that ay sinara niya ang pinto mismo sa mukha ko.

Napabuntong hininga ako bago ako nag tungo sa kwarto ko. i just took a quick shower before changing into my pajamas. Agad kong binuksan ang laptop ko para makapagsimula na sa pag aaral. I was busy studying when I was tempted to open my F******k account.

Sebastian Monteferrante sent you a friend request

Agad kong pinindot ang F******k para iaccept ang friend request ni Basti. Ibabalik ko na sana sa site kung saan ako nag aaral, nang tumunog ang Messenger ko.

From: Sebastian

Busy?

I sighed before typing a message.

To: Sebastian

Yes, so fuck off

From: Sebastian

Oy, nag mumura ka na. Bawal iyan

To: Sebastian

You should just focus on your studies. Don't be distracted, dumbass

From: Sebastian

Yes ssob

When I already finished reading my lesson, dumapa na ako sa kama ko. Morning came at agad akong naligo para makapag bihis. Today is Yellow day, so I just wore my yellow shirt I bought in Gucci. I partnered it with my white jeans and a totebag, before I went outside my room. Kumuha lang ako ng toasted bread and banana milk before heading outside.

"Ay wow, Gucci," Carla said as soon as she saw me.

Hinarap ako ni Gertrude, "Carla told me about what happened kahapon, and nandito si Mason ngayon. Hinihintay ka,” at nginuso ang kinaroroonan ni Mason.

He's leaning on the wall while he's texting. Binalik ko ang tingin ko sa dalawang kaibigan ko, "Huwag nalang natin siya pansinin, lets go."

Nang dumaan kami sa harapan ni Mason, he immediately looked at us. Agad niya akong hinawakan sa braso kaya naiwan ako ng mga kaibigan ko. Pumikit ako ng mariin at bumuntong hinga bago siya hinarap.

"What do you want?" Irita kong tanong sa kanya.

He smirked at me, "You."

I rolled my eyes in annoyance at tinanggal ang kamay niya sa braso ko, "In your fucking dreams, fucker."

I was about to go inside the building when he held my arms again, pero agad din niya itong nabitawan dahil may tumulak sa kaniya. Rinig ko ang pag singhap ng mga tao sa paligid dahil sa nangyari. Maski ako ay napa awang ang bibig ko at napasinghap.

"Let go of her, Chua."

I looked the person who pushed Mason away from me, and it's Sebastian. Walang kasing dilim ng mga mata niya at walang kasing lalim ang boses niya habang nakatayo siya sa harapan ni Mason ngayon.