PARANG MGA talulot ng mabangong bulaklak sa panahon ng taglagas ang sumunod na mga araw, isa-isa silang nalagas at nagtapos. The next thing Sapphire knows, her parents were congratulating her through a telephone call. Pagkataggap nito sa kaniyang class card ay kaagad niya iyong kinuhanan ng picture at binigyan ng kopya ang kanilang ina and just like what she's always praying, finally she got to tell them her ultimate wish. She asked them to allow her to stay in the Philippines as a reward gift, in addition to her good grades, she promised them to be a good girl from now on and excel more in their class.
Ilang araw nilang pinagtalunan ng kaniyang Mommy ang hiling niyang 'yun. She's really against her wish of staying, her mom tried to offer her other rewards. More appealing, more alluring such as elegant jewelries, brand new gadgets or a car after her graduation. But Sapphire remains consistent about her wi
MALAKAS NA tilian nina Eren at Alexis ang mas nakapagpa-ngiti kay Sapphire kinabukasan habang kinukwento nito sa kaniyang mga kaibigan ang tungkol sa nangyari sa art building. They were currently sitting under the shed of a large tree near the school field, pinanonood ang mga college students na nagpapractice ng sayaw doon. One week na lamang ay bakasyon na naman for Christmas and New year season, but before the vacation ay magkakaroon ng program sa school. Wala pang nilalabas na announcement but she heard it will gonna be special and that excites her. "Do you think he's already into you?" Maluwang pa rin ang ngiti ni Eren. "Or he's merely being just to you, Sappy?" Napaisip siyang bigla sa sinabi ni Eren. She felt that he just opened a door for her last night, although, she's not just sure what kind of door is that but whatever it is...
PINAGMASDAN NI Sapphire nang maigi ang buong paligid pagkayari siyang papasukin ni Sir Will. His place wasn't big, it's just enough for him, for one person. Just like his personality, organized din ang mga gamit niya sa loob. May bookshelves kung saan nandoon ang mga libro at folders ng binata, sa gilid nito'y table na pinaglalagyan ng itim nitong laptop at bag. May dalawang sofa sa living room, television, maliit na center table at vase sa ibabaw nito. Ilang mga paintings sa ding-ding at khaki na kurtina lamang ang laman ng sala niya. Pagkarating naman sa kusina'y kapansin-pansin ang linis doon. Mayroong hanging cabinet sa taas ng sink, may maliit na fridge sa tabi ng maliit na square table, apat na upuan sa loob nito, microwave at stove sa ibabaw ng counter at ilang gamit naman ang laman ng kusina niya. Dumiretso si Sapphi
ILANG ARAW ring hindi naka-pasok si Sir. Will sa school dahil sa trangkaso niya, halos buong linggo 'ata? Sapphire tried to visit him again pero hindi na niya pinayagang maka-pasok pang muli ang dalaga sa unit niya. And because of their adviser's absence, Trixie took over the responsibility of deciding what theme their section will use for the class booth. She chose gingerbread theme because she thinks that everyone likes sweet and since Christmas naman ay malapit ang theme na iyon. Nilahad nito ang mga plano sa bawat isa, the materials and the tasks to do. Ilang araw silang nag-meeting para roon. Hindi naman naging mahirap ang preparation since madali lamang ang mga tasks. They made sure their classroom will successfully turn into the familiar gingerbread house. They do a lot of decorations, most of works were given to Sapphire since she has the skill for arts and such.  
DUMATING SI Sapphire sa adress na binigay sa kaniya ni Sir. Will kinabukasan, hindi sa unit nito i-ccelebrate ang birthday kaya naman half of her is expecting that maybe the venue will be in the orphanage where he grew up with the nuns. Maybe Alexis is right, he will introduce her to them as his... "Oh my! Wait. Don't expect too much, Sappy. Keep your cool!" Inayos niyang muli pababa ang light gold nitong off shoulder, she flipped her hair backward habang ang natira sa kaniyang balikat ay pina-ikot niya ng bahagya para mas mag-curl pa. Just a little bit of lip tint, she smiled before he pressed the doorbell from the gate. Isang may edad na babae ang sumalubong sa kaniya pagka-bukas ng gate, nanlaki ng kaunti ang mga mata nito dahil sa presensiya ni Sapphire. "Ano pong ma-ipaglilingkod ko sa inyo, Ma'am?" anang matanda na mat
UMIRAP DITO nang matalim si Sapphire at kasabay ng kaniyang pag-upo ay isang malalim na buntong hininga ang kaniyang pinakawalan. "Just thank me later," bulong pa niyang muli habang ginigitgit ang dalaga palapit kay Sir Will. What the! Nananadya talaga ang isang ito, e. Heto na naman tuloy at pinaghaharian na naman ng nakakaakit niyang pabango ang buong sistema ni Sapphire. Nilulukob nito ang buo niyang katawan at nagsisimula na namang mag-rock ang puso niya sa loob . Pa-simple pa itong umusog hanggang sa magdikit ang mga braso nila ni Sir. Will. She feel that he felt it, napalingon ito sa kaniyang banda nang bigla. She could sense that he's not good about it pero wala siyang magagawa. Nasa dulo siya and that's the good thing about it. Kasal
ANG MALAWAK, nagtatayugag buildings at nagni-ningning na city lights ang sumalubong sa mga mata ni Sapphire pagkarating nila sa kanilang vacation house. Right after the school ay lumipad kaagad sila ni Sean patungong Las Vegas para doon mag-celebrate ng Christmas at New Year's eve. Hindi maitatago sa mata ng kanilang mga magulang ang saya nang muli ay magkatagtagpo na sila. Both of them aged a bit due to the situation. Her mom's face slimmed while her eyes remains the same like the last time Sapphire had seen it— tired and stressed. Her father's body remains the same thin and fragile but he looks stronger right now than before. His heart's operation went very successful, ayon lang at hindi pa rin ito nakaka-uwi sa kanilang bahay dahil kailangan pa ring obserbahan ang kaniyang bagong puso. "Finally..." natutuwang hiyaw ng kanilang ama at mabilis na ibinuka ang kaniyang maninipis
TINAKASAN NIYANG muli si Patrick para makapuslit palabas ng school, she badly wanna check his unit. Malakas ang pakiramdam niyang naroroon lamang si Sir Will, he's just in the City having good time with that girl at ayaw lamang sabihin iyon ni Mr. Nicolas dahil natatakot siyang pumunta si Sapphire roon at manggulo. So, what if she's Sir. Will's girlfriend? That would kill Sapphire with sharp spears in her chest but she won't kill the girl for pete's sake! They're judging her so bad. Tumatanggap naman si Sapphire ng pagkatalo and she also made a promise to herself not to hurt anyone who will try to hit on him. Lalo na ang babaeng mamahalin nito, that will piss him off big time so, no! Kinausap niyang muli babaeng receptionist doon, gaya ng dati'y ayaw pa rin siyang papasukin nito. So, she just settled with asking her questions, limited answers lamang ang naibi
BLURRED ANG mga ilaw na nakikita ng luhaan niyang mata sa malalayong buildings habang kasalukuyan siyang naka-upo sa itaas ng kanilang kotse. Naka-park ito sa isang bakanteng lote na walang gaanung dumaraan, mataas doon na kita ang kabuuan ng city. Dala ng lumalaganap na dilim ay mas nagniningning ang mga ilaw. Sapphire has been enjoying the wonderful scenery but more than that, she's enjoying the cold bottled beer that Patrick bought for her. Ayon lamang at ayaw siyang sabayan ng binata sa kanilang trip, isa ring KJ! Marahas niyag pinunasan ang luhang namumuo sa kaniyang mga mata bago siya muling tumungga sa alak na na mahigpit niyang hawak. It's her 3rd can and she's dizzy as hell already, she felt very weak and sleepy now. Pumikit siya para muling sariwain ang lahat ng sinabi sa kaniya ng kaniyang tita Lara sa school clinic kanina habang ginagamot niya ang