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Chapter Text

“Jhade Robles!”

“Open this door or I will unscrew this”

“Jha-“ hindi na natapos ang muling pagtawag ni mama sa akin ng buksan ko ang pinto. Kanina pa siya tawag ng tawag at alam ko na kung ano na naman ang gusto niyang sabihin kaya tinitigan ko lang siya.

Pinitik niya ang noo ko and I sighed in annoyance. Yep, she’s like that. Always kapag nakabusangot ako.

“You will-“ I raised my hand at tinapos ang sasabihin niya dapat.

“You will go to Cebu during the summer breaks blablabla” sambit ko habang pababa ng hagdan.

“Tsk! Stop being like a spoiled brat, you will enjoy Cebu and for the sake of me and your papa” litanya niya habang hinahanda ang agahan namin.

“I am not being a spoiled brat and besides, anong gagawin ko don?“

“Vacation”

“Gusto ko dito sa Manila, ma, please and swear I won’t go club hopping”

“Jhade Robles, your father’s and my decision is final” mariin niyang sambit habang nakatingin sa akin

“Ma, please, ayoko talaga. Ayokong malayo sa’yo” sambit ko, nagpapaawa na ako. Ewan ayoko talagang pumunta doon kasi may plano na barkada namin for summer.

“You know na hindi mo ako makukuha sa puppy eyes mo, right?” sambit niya habang tumatawa.

Inirapan ko lang si mama pero isinawalang bahala niya lang yon at nagpatuloy na siya sa pagkain.

Nang patapos na siyang kumain, lumapit siya sa akin at hinawakan ang magkabilang pisngi ko. She smiled while staring at me and there is softness in her eyes.

“Whether you like it or not, you will go to Cebu this summer, anak”

There was finality in her words and the only thing I did was to nod.

Chapter Text

“Damn! Finally tapos na natin yung semester” pahiyaw na sambit ni Maddie pagkatapos namin magpapirma sa registrar from clearance. She was smiling like crazy na para bang nakasurvive siya sa gyera.

On our way to the canteen, nakasalubong namin si Galix. Tumango lang kami sa isa’t-isa at patuloy ng naglakad patungo sa canteen. People are staring at us while we were walking and some are giggling. I even heard a group that says

“Cool talaga nilang tatlo” the statement made us laugh

-

“Ay oo nga pala guys” biglang sabi ni Maddie ng nakaupo na kami sa usual seat namin sa canteen.

Tumaas ang kilay ni Galix at tiningnan ko naman si Maddie sa direksyon niya. There again, she is smiling like a kid na para bang nabilhan siya ng sandamakmak na candy

“As “surving the school year” gift, my papa let me chose where I wanna spend my break and that people, includes you” sabay turo niya sa aming dalawa

Galix, clapped in excitement, usual Galix expression

“San tayo, Mads?” marahan akong siniko ni Galix ng nakita niyang hindi man lang ako umimik sa sinabi ni Maddie, hilaw lang akong ngumisi sa kanya

“I am thinking about Siargao” bitterness crept on me knowing na I cannot go with them during the summer break because of my parents’ Cebu agenda

“Gosh, so ganda pa naman there! Excited na ako Mads”

“Yep, you should be, Galix, and for the record kahit alam kong may pera kayo, let me just tell you that all the expenses will be covered by my father”

As usual, ganoon talaga kapag may galaan kami. Maddie is the youngest in her family and somehow she’s the personal favorite of her dad kaya kapag may panlalambing siya rito ay agad itong pinagbibigyan.

“Ano, Jhade? Tutunganga ka lang? I know you must be in shock and maybe you’re thinking na nahihiya kana but don’t be, you guys are like my siblings na sabi pa ni dad” sambit niya habang patayo para bumili na ng pagkain.

Sinundan namin siya ni Galix and like the usual, students who were lining before us made way para paunahin kami sa linya. I don’t know what’s with us but they’re always like this, para kaming vvips.

Nang matapos na kaming pumili, agad na kaming bumalik sa table namin at agad na bumalik sa akin ang usapan

“Jhade, you’re so tahimik, kanina pa”

“Oo nga, diba, Mads? Siguro broken hearted ‘to” sinipatan ko lang si Galix at tumawa naman si Maddie sa harap namin

“As if” I rolled my eyes at her and sigh

“Mads, I cannot go this time”

In unison they yelled,

“What?!”

“Nagtatampo ka ba sa amin, baby Jhade?” mapanuyang sambit ni Galix, mischief was evident in her eyes and Maddie is just there, waiting for an answer

“Gago ka talaga, Gal” patawa kong sambit sa kanya sabay pitik ng noo niya

“Ano kasi”

“Kasi?”

“Kasi I am going to Cebu this summer”

“Cebu?!” sabay na naman nilang sambit kaya natawa na talaga ako

“Ang oa naman, oo nga Cebu”

“Damn! Who are you and what did you do to my friend?” hysterical na sabi sa akin ng Maddie habang niyuyogyog ako. Galix, caught off guard, burst into laughing that people started to look at our direction

“Shut up, Galix, people are looking at us”

“Let them look, after all, we are the ones they admire”

I scoffed

Galix raised her hands in surrender

“Pero real nga, bat di sasama baby Ade na yan?” si Mads naman ngayon ang tumawa ng malakas dahil sa mapanuksong boses ni Galix

“Shut up, di bagay sayo, fr fr ngl but yeah I am going to Cebu kasi yon ang sabi ng mama ko”

“Wow”

“Just wow”

“Ay Jhade, pupuntahan ka nalang namin o sasama kami sayo” sambit ni Maddie ng nakarecover na

“Do as you like, Maddie” kibit balikat ko

“Or what if we will go to your house this evening tapos ipagpapaalam ka namin ni Galix”

The idea made my heart skip a beat but I know that my mom’s order was final kaya nagkibit balikat nalang ako

-

“Jhade, anak, tapos naba clearance mo?” biglang sambit ni mama ng makapagsettle na kami sa dining table. I noticed that my father looked at my direction as well, clearly waiting for an answer. My demons are debating whether I’ll tell them the truth or lie to them to delay my flight to Cebu.

Just as I was about to answer, we heard a knock outside. Mama immediately stood up to open the door and when she did, noise filled our house.

“Hi po tita, hi tito!” masiglang bungad ni Galix sa parents ko sabay beso sa kanila

Nagmano naman si Maddie sa kanila and she handed a fruit basket to my mother.

“Thanks, Mads and Galix! Join our dinner” masayang sabi ni mama

“Ay nako, sira na naman diet ko nito!”

“We all know na wala kang diet Maddie l, stop being pretentious” pambabara ni Galix sa kanya kaya natawa nalang ako

Nagpatuloy na kami sa pagkain habang kinukumusta nina mama at papa sina Galix at Maddie. Looking at how close they are to my parents made my heart flutter that I didn’t even realize that I am smiling na pala habang nakatingin sa kanila.

“Ay oo nga pala, tita, tito…” panimula ni Maddie kaya napatingin ako sa direksyon niya, ganon din sina mama at papa

“Like the usual po, now that cleared na po kami from responsbilities, can I sama Jhade to Siargao?” mama smiled at her, sinipa ni Galix yung paa ko sa ilalim ng mesa

Mama held her hand, sincerity filled her eyes as she say

“Sorry, anak but we decided already na sa Cebu siya this break”

“Mads, you can go with her if you want to naman” dagdag pa ni papa

“Talaga po?” sabay nilang sambit

“You guys are funny, ofcourse naman and only if your parents will allow you”

“Nako tita for sure payag yon sila” super certain na sabat ni Galix and it caused us to laugh

“Galix is right tita” patango-tango namang sabi ni Maddie

“So I guess this is settle na ano? The three of you will go to Cebu by weekend”

Excitement filled the room and it left me speechless.

Wow, at least, my friends will be there as well.

Chapter Text

“Alright mga anak, keep safe ha? Just please don’t give your lolo sakit ng ulo” papa told us while placing our luggage to the trunk with ease and precision

The three of us laughed and we saluted like soldiers being told instructions. Lumabas na si mama mula sa bahay and we went inside the car.

Tonight is the night na ihahatid nila kami sa airport and if my calculations are right, nasa Cebu na kami bukas. I am at ease na knowing that my friends will be coming too, literal na hindi napaghihiwalay simula senior high.

It’s almost midnight and our flight is at one. The world around us is calm and silent already but few people are still in the streets.

The ride is unusually silent maybe because my friends want to preserve their energy and use it once our parents can’t get a view of us. Maddie was sleeping, her head is leaning into the glass window while Galix is beside me, wide awake, scrolling and watching Tiktok videos, focused like her whole life depends on it. And as for me, well, nakaupo lang ako sa gilid ni Galix, watching the city pass like a blur. Memorizing the place I love, the streets, cityscape even the road signs.

-

“Jhade, please wag kayong pasaway sa lolo niyo ha? Yung mga pinsan mo, makipagbonding kayo” I just nodded at my mom lazily as I help my papa unload our things. It’s 12:30 already. Si Galix at Maddie nasa stall na near the entrance, buying some snacks and drinks.

“Anak, alam mo pa ba sasakyan mo patungo don?” nagkibit balikat lang ako

“Jhade, answer your mother with words, anak” my papa firmly stated, annoyance was evident in his voice

“Okay, sorry” I raised both of my hands in surrender

“But I don’t know na, ma, I forgot. Won’t lolo pick us up?”

“No, ang alam niya lang pupunta kayo pero hindi niya alam kung kailan” ngumisi siya habang nakatingin sa direksyon namin ni papa at natawa na din si papa habang pailing-iling.

“Okay mga anak pasok na kayo doon, doon na kayo maghintay” sabi ni papa at mabilis niyang kinawayam sina Maddie at Galix para pumunta na rin sa direksyon namin.

“Enjoy your stay in Cebu, Galix, Maddie, okay?”

“Of course po tita!” energized na tugon ni Galix, nasa gilid niya naman si Maddie, sipping her milkshake na para bang hindi man lang giniginaw sa lamig ng hangin dito sa airport.

“Jhade, pagkababa niyo, sumakay kayo ng taxi tapos sabihin mo Pacific Mall. Pagkatapos, sumakay kayo ng bus pa north, baba kayo sa Danao”

“Okay, ma” I replied while double checking if my sling bag for the ticket, charger and my wallet

“Text us pagkaland niyo, Jhade and when you ride the taxi and bus and when you are in your lolo’s na” I just nodded, ready to pull my luggage

“Super clingy, not so my papa behavior” we all laughed at my response

My parents took turns in hugging the three of us, bidding us goodbyes. The gesture was warm and it made my nerves calm down for a moment.

And when we finally got separated by the airport gates, I looked once more at their direction l, waved and blew them a kiss. When I looked at my friends, they were grinning

“The adventure begins now”

“Cebu, handa ka na ba sa amin?”

“Para kayong sira fr ngl”

“Whatever you say, Jhade but we are excited that my feet barely left the ground, yet my soul had already leapt toward adventure” and tama nga sya palundag-lundag siyang naglalakad habang nakatawa lang sa gilid niya si Galix

Maddie is always like this, always thrilled with travel. It’s like the fuel to her soul’s fire that keeps her going. We’ve been traveling for so long together now and nothing’s ever changed, same giddiness, same twinkle in her eyes and I find her cute like that.

Bumilis ang oras and the next thing we knew is that nasa himpapawid na kami. Ang estimated time daw ng landing namin ay 3 am and I hope there will be taxis kasi kapag wala baka maligaw lang kaming tatlo.

I am now in the window seat because Maddie let me sit here. She knows how much I love being in here and I realized that she’s attentive to details or maybe we knew each other that much that we memorize each other’s like and dislikes

-

“Kuya, Pacific Mall po” sabi ko sa driver na nakita namin pagkalabas ng airport

“Okay maam, lagay ko po muna mga gamit niyo sa trunk” sambit niya habang marahan na kinukuha yung luggage namin. Galix and Maddie helped him and I just texted my parents that we have landed already and now, we are going to ride a taxi.

When we settled already, the driver maneuvered the car with practiced ease. Galix and Maddie is at the back and I am in the passenger seat. The three of us are wide awake.

“Ma’am ang aga po ng byahe niyo, san po kayo pupunta?”

“Ah, sa Danao po kuya, bibisitahin po namin lolo ko”

“Ah ganon po ba ma’am”

Silence.

“Baka po gusto niyo ihatid ko nalang ho kayo doon mismo” he said that with hesitant voice kaya I looked at his direction and he smiled

“Medyo mahal nga lang po kasi malayo pero mabilis po yung byahe kasi kapag nagbus po kayo, puno po ngayon, tapos titigil-tigil pa”

“Jhade, I will pay the bill” biglang sambit ni Maddie sa likod kaya bahagyang napatingin si kuya driver sa kanya

“Goods nadaw po kuya”

Tumawa si kuya sa pagkapilyong sabi ni Galix kaya tumawa na din kaming lahat sa taxi

Chapter Text

"Kuya, dito nalang po kami sa Mcdo"

We reached Danao already at malayo pa ang umaga. We don't want to disturb lolo's sleep kaya I instructed kuya driver nalang na dito na kami bababa. When he was done unloading all our things from his car's trunk, Maddie immediately paid. I actually didn't know how much our payment was but I stopped in my tracks when kuya suddenly spoke.

"Ma'am, sobra po to" nahihiyang sambit ni kuya driver habang hawak pa ang batok nya

"Tanggapin mo na kya, rich yan eh" pasigaw na sagot ni Galix na nakasunod pala sa akin papasok sa Mcdo kaya natawa na din ako

"Nako ma'am sobra triple po to sa bill niyo eh"

Then I heard Maddie say,

"That's our token of appreciation po kuya for getting us here safely kaya please, tanggapin niyo na"

"Sure ka ma'am?"

That's another Maddie trait that I and Galix love, mapagbigay at marunong tumanaw ng utang na loob.

The next thing I knew is that kasama na namin si kuya Rodel na kumakain sa Mcdo. While we were eating, I noticed na para lang kami magbabarkada, nag-uusap lang kami casually.

"Kuya Rodel, may anak ka na po?" natawa sina Galix at Maddie sa tanong ko

"Ay meron po ma'am, tatlo.."

"Wow, sipag ka pala kuya Rodel" patawa na namang banat ni Galix kaya napailing nalang kami ni Maddie.

"Ilang taon na po?" tanong ko ulit

"You're really interrogating him, Ade?" Maddie's brows shot up, still, kuya Rodel and Galix were laughing, amused by the sudden banter and maybe, question

"Yung panganay ko po, nurse na ngayon, bagong pasa palang" the three of us clapped. I felt proud and happy for kuya's achievement as a father.

"Yung pangalawa naman po, civil engineering, fourth year na sa pasukan"

"Yikes! May future contractor yan siya" pasigaw na sambit ni Galix habang pumapalakpak pa rin

"Loko, tumahimik ka nga Galix" saway ko sa sobrang exaggerated ma expression niya pero tumawa lang si kuya sa amin

"Tapos yung youngest ko po, mag se-second year, veterinary po kinuha"

"Ay kuya Rods, totga course ko po yan" biglang sabi ni Galix, pansin ko ang pag-iba ng tono niya and the earlier's spark in her eyes was changed to something unreadable.

Yep, she's supposed to study veterinary but her parents didn't let her kasi hindi daw relevant sa business niya. Her father owns a construction firm kaya sa civil engineering siya pinag-enroll. Maddie, on the other hand, just goes with the flow kasi ayaw niya daw mahiwalay sa amin kaya nagcivil din siya.

"Kuya Rodel, when your civil engineering son graduated and passed the board exam po, we can help him get a job sa company nina Galix" seryosong sambit ni Maddie, tumango naman si Galix na nasa gilid niya

"Salamat naman ma'am kung ganon! Babae po yong future engineer ko ma'am, kayo po mga ma'am, ano kurso niyo?"

"Ay civil engineering din po kaming tatlo, mag se-second year sa pasukan" nahihiyang sagot ko kay kuya

"Dean's lister po yan sila" proud na sabi ni Galix kay kuya

"Ay siya also kuya" tugon naman ni Maddie na natatawa

"Galing niyo naman ma'am! Proud ako sa inyo, yung ibang kabataan kasi madalas nagbubulakbol, yung iba naman nag-aanak pa ng maaga tsk!" his tone was warm and it touched my heart. I suddenly miss my parents na tuloy but I set the thought aside and decided to just call them when we get to my lolo's house.

We continued our chitchat. Maddie was sharing our experience during the first day of class when she pranked Galix by telling her na sa fourth floor yung klase namin at galit na daw yung prof kasi late na siya but turns out wala pala talaga kaming pasok noon. Kaya humagalpak kaming lahat. Our laughter stopped when an alarm started to ring. It was loud. Loud enough to get the crew's attention.

"Hala ma'am, 5:30 na po pala, ang bilis ng oras" sabi ni kuya Rodel pagkatapos patayin ang alarm niya

"Hala, bilis naman ng oras"

"Hatid ko na po kayo ma'am"

"Sure ka po kayo?"

Kuya Rodel just nodded and started to push our luggage out of the McDonald's.

"Una na kayo sa taxi, cr lang muna ako guys"

"Okay Jhade" Maddie blinked and proceeded to go out of the door

-

Pagkalabas ko sa cubicle, biglang akong nakabunggo ng isang babae. I looked at her slowly from her toes and to her head and like default, I scoffed.

"Who the hell would wear pink from head to toe?" that's what I thought but the words that came in my mouth was just

"Oops-"

"Are you just gonna stare or you're gonna say sorry?" she raised her eyebrows, rolled her eyes at me then we inside the cubicle

Wow

Chapter Text

“Oh my God, my apo! Didn’t know you will come home today” lolo hugged me as soon as he saw me. His eyes were sparkling, clearly surprised by my appearance. He gestured us to come inside the house and I immediately noticed the changes – from the paint colors, the paintings hanging on the wall and even the furnitures.

“Have you eaten your breakfast, pangga?” he asked me, voice soft and warm

“Kumain na po kami sa Mcdo kanina mga 4 ata yun, lolo” tumango siya at tinawag yung helper niya. I heard he instructed her to prepare breakfast for us and the helper just nodded and went away.

“Ay oo nga po pala,lo” I looked at my friends and gestured them to step forward.

“These are my friends po. Galix and Maddie”

“Welcome sa bahay ko mga apo” his eyes formed into a crescent moon upon saying the words

“Please feel at home. Jhade, pangga, your bedroom is clean, you can use it. As for your friends, they may opt to use the guest room or they can stay sa kwarto mo. Maliligo muna ako mga apo. The helpers will call you kapag kakain na tayo”

I just nodded and hugged him again. Galix waved him goodbye at nagbow lang sa kanya si Maddie.

Then, we went upstairs to my room. Galix is already groaning, clearly tired from all the byahe just to get here.

“Jhade, guest room ako for privacy hehe”

“Me as well, sawa na ako sa mukha niyo eh” ani ni Maddie which made Galix laugh

“Wow wow wow pero sige, thank you Lord at may mga oras na hindi ko kayo makikita” both of them rolled their eyes and then went inside their rooms.

Chapter Text

I felt slight taps on my shoulder but I ignored it, hoping that it will stop soon and that I could continue my sleep peacefully. The taps stopped for a while and I noticed na umuga yung kama ko, it alerted all of my senses but I did not open my eyes yet kasi sanay na ako sa mga paandar ng mga kaibigan ko. After the person settled beside me, I felt taps on my cheek, then the person talked and I almost jumped out of the bed

"Wake up or else I'll kiss you Jd, I know you're awake" she laughed then continued, "Your forehead creased" I felt her breathing near my cheek so I rolled out off the bed and dropped.

I immediately felt the sting on my back and stood up quickly. Ate Aize is now as red as a tomato laughing at what happened to me.

"Hay nako, Jd! Still allergic to my kisses?" she said, still laughing at me while slowly standing up from my bed

"Seriously ate Aize? That's how you wake people up?"

"Gago, of course I am just messing with my favorite cousin"

I walked into her direction and hugged her tightly. I missed ate Aize so much, she's not just my cousin but also a bestfriend. Sometimes she gives me advices and she never fails to make me feel good every time I have problems.

"That feels good! I've missed you so much my cutie patotie" she exaggeratedly say after I let go of our hug. She gave me a peck on the cheeks and I did the same to hers.

"Wash up ka muna, Jd kakain na daw sabi ni lolo. He gave me the extra key that's why nakapasok ako sa kwarto mo" I just nodded and proceed to do my morning routine - toothbrush, quick cold shower and then I put on my cozy gray pants and shirt.

Pagkalabas ko sa banyo, nandoon pa din si ate Aize, lazily lying sa bed while scrolling through her cellphone. I did not disturbed her but instead, humiga ako sa tabi niya and I hugged her. She turned her phone down and hugged me as well.

"I missed you so much ate Aize, like really" I tighten my grip around her waist and nestled my face against the crook of her neck.

"Wow the banyo must've a magic spell kasi it turned you into a clingy baby" I heard her chuckle.

"How's your love life, ate Aize? Wala pa rin ba?" she stiffened pero kalaunan ay umiling siya

"Like for real? Or someone tried to court you but decided to back out after facing some of your little games?"

"Bakit mo alam?" inilayo niya ang katawan sa akin at tiningnan ako sa mga mata, waiting for an answer

"Wow, as if I don't know your antics" she chuckled once more but her face turned serious

"You know, Jd, I cannot afford to give my heart to someone who is not ready to do everything for me. I rather get old alone than settle with a love that I don't deserve"

I smiled at her answer and she hugged me once again.

"Maybe you'll find it sooner ate and if that day comes, I will be the happiest for you"

Naputol ang pag-uusap namin ng biglang may kumatok sa kwarto ko. Sinundan iyon ng "Ma'am, kakain na daw po, nandoon na si sir sa baba". Ate Aize replied, "Okay po, bababa na kami"

-

Nang nasa dining area na kami ni ate Aize, Galix and Maddie are already there. Galix is talking with my lolo and Maddie is just staring at her coffee mug, clearly sleepy still. Naputol lang ang usapan nina lolo ng nakaupo na kami ni ate Aize.

Kumuha na ako ng hotdog at bacon at nagsimula na din akong kumain pero nakatunganga pa rin si Maddie at the same time slowly sipping her coffee. I kicked her from under the table and when she looked at my direction, she choked, I got shocked.

Galix snorted while mouthing "gago"

"Dahan-dahan lang apo" marahan na sabi sa kanya ni lolo, bahagyang nakangisi rin

When her coughing stopped, she looked at my direction again but I noticed she's not looking directly at me but the girl beside me, ate Aize. I raised an eyebrow at her at nagkibit balikat lang siya. Galix, who clearly saw how she stared at ate Aize, looked at me and the next thing I knew was she's introducing herself to ate Aize.

"Hi! I am Galix Martinez, Jhade's friend. It's nice to meet you po" she extended her hand and without a thought ate Aize extended hers as well to shake Galix's hand

"Nice to meet you too! I am Aize Manuel" while they're shaking hands, I looked at Maddie and mouthed "What now?"

She cleared her throat and everyone at the table looked at her.

"Hi, Aize! I am Maddie Gonzales. You're as beautiful as the sun today, nice to meet you. Tama nga sila maraming maganda sa Cebu." she smiled sweetly at ate
Aize, it made me cringe and want to stomped her foot

I scoffed, lolo laughed and Galix chuckled

"Wow! thanks" ate Aize's cheeks blushed. She winked at her and shook her hands. Maddie tensed up and her ears got red.

Interesting

Chapter Text

“Adeeeee” I heard a loud sing song from the entrance and before I could turn my head around, may nakahawak na sa leeg ko, si ate Clarence. She messed my hair and showered me with kisses. I couldn’t do anything. Then, Galix scoffed and ate Clarence looked up.

“Oh” she straightened upon realizing that we are not the only ones in the house

“Naa diay kay bisita, Ade? Minus angas points ko da”, lolo, ate Aize and I laughed

She walked out at pagbalik niya kasama niya na si ate Maxxie who is smiling from ear to ear

“Pretty little Ade, I’ve missed you” bungad niyang bati sa akin

“Hala ate Max” sabi ko sa kanya habang patayo ako mula ka kinauupuan

“Surprised to see na jowa ka parin ni ate Clarence despite the fact na para siyang ewan” patawa kong sabi sa kanya habang patayo para yakapin siya

“Hoy boang ka talaga Ade” sambit naman ni ate Clarence sa likod which made us laugh again

“Ay oo nga pala guys, friends ko pala”

“I am Galix po pala” then she offered her hands for a shake

“Hi! I am Maxxie, Clarence’s girlfriend”

“I am Maddie, Maxxie”

“Wow sounds alike”

After the introductions, we continued to eat lang

-

“Ate Summer” tawag sa akin ng kapatid ko habang kumakatok siya sa pinto which I opened immediately.

Bumungad ss akin ang magaganda niyang ngiti and dimples niyang malalim at ang mga mata niyang kumikislap sa tuwa

“You look so happy”

“Because I am always happy”

tugon niya habang papunta sa kama ko. Tinitigan ko lang siya until nag settle siya then as usual, nagsalita na siya nung comfortable na siya

“We’re going to the Duranos”

my eyebrows shot up and she noticed it kaya nagsalita siya agad

“Dumating mga apo niya kanina and he wants us to befriend her”

“If this is a boy, I won’t go”

“Bading”

Inirapan ko lang siya at tumawa naman siya ng bahagya

“Pumayag na si daddy so you can’t say no “

Pagkatapos niyang sabihin yun, sakto namang pumasok si daddy sa kwarto. He went straight to give me a hug so I hugged him as well.

“Hi dad” bati ko sa kanya and I kissed his cheek

“My pretty Summer, good day to you. You both look gorgeous”

Shiro giggled and I smiled

“Ay oo nga pala, for the mean time, I want you to spend your time with the Duranos, mayor Nates’ grand daughters. Kilala niyo na naman siguro sila pero yung taga Manila kasi umuwi”

“Bakit need kami?” diin kong tanong habang tinititigan si dad

“Ofcourse because our families are friends and I want you guys to have a connection like what we have right now”

“Ngi pero g lang ako dad” Shiro stated

But I butted in

“On one condition, no buts”

He looked at me intently, trying to read what’s on my mind and before he could I said

“Magmomotor kami”

He scoffed in amusement and Shiro laughed

“Girl saw an opening and grabbed it” she said while laughing

“Bu-“

I raised my hand to stop him

“No buts”

“Tsk! I did not see it coming pero sige. What my princesses wants, what my princesses gets”

Shiro jumped and clapped in excitement and I immediately hugged my dad. He raised his hand in surrender and said

“Ingat kayo mga anak please, ayokong maheadline kayo”

In unison, we both say “Yes sir”

-

When we arrived sa mansion ni lolo Nates, agad na kaming pumasok sa loob. Shiro went to the entrance kasi daw magccr siya but I headed sa likod ng bahay kasi sabi ni Aize doon daw sila nakatambay.

Nang medyo malapit na ako sa backyard nila lolo, I heard people talking and laughing but the voices are muffled so I decided to walk fast para makarating ako agad until someone opened a door at saktong tumama yon sa braso ko.

Agad uminit ang dugo ko at ng itinaas ko ang tingin ko, I saw a familiar face then I realized it was the girl from McDonalds at agad kong naalala yung pagkabunggo niya sa akin

“Ikaw na naman?!”

Chapter Text

“Who are you again?” nakataas ang kilay niya at klaro sa mukha na naguguluhan siya. I rolled my eyes in annoyance and I noticed her lips twitched trying to supress a smile.

“Ay! I think I know you”

“Tapos?” nagtitimpi kong sagot sa kanya, napipikon pa din

“Tapos? Ha! Tapos wala akong pake” she rolled her eyes at me and it made my blood boil even more.

Arrogant.

Boastful.

Pabibo.

That’s her.

Iniwan ko na siya doon at nagtungo na sa kinaroroonan nila Aize. Nang makita nila ako, agad nila akong niyakap at nagkamustahan din kami. After a while, dumating naman yung asungot and she’s smiling from ear to ear pero pansin ko na noon dumapo ang tingin niya sa akin ay napawi ang mga ngiti niya.

Whatever.

“Summer, Shiro, this is Jhade, my cousin” iminuwestra ni Aize sa amin yung babae. She faked a smile at me pero all out yung ngisi niya kay Shiro

“And these are her friends, Maddie and Galix” the two look friendly so I offered my hand for a shake and Maddie with the red hair is the first one to accept it. Both of them look cool.

-

The girl earlier really looks familiar pero dahil maldita siya sa akin, hindi ko na din siya masyadong binigyan ng pansin. Nang matapos ang pagpapakilala namin sa isa’t-isa, nagpatuloy lang ang kwentuhan, catch up ganon. Maddie and Galix are being talkative while my mind is elsewhere.

I am deeply thinking where I saw the girl, Summer if I am not mistaken. At naalala ko nga siya

“Ah sa Mcdo! Pink girl!” hindi ko namalayan napalakas pala ang boses ko kaya napatingin silang lahat sa gawi ko.

Clarence nudged me and said, “You okay Jd?”

Uminit ang pisngi ko sa hiya at agad naman akong napakamot sa noo ko ng marealize kong ang dapat sa isip ko lang ay nasabi ko ng napakalakas sa harap nilang lahat. Kaya tumango tango lang ako.

Later that day napagpasyahan nila na pupunta kami sa Tops. Maganda raw ang view doon especially kapag gabi. It is an overlooking deck from where you can see Cebu’s city lights daw.

“Jhade, what are you gonna wear?” Maddie asked me as she opened her luggage in front of me and rummage it.

“This tank top and a wide legged pants then a jacket” sabi ko sa kanya habang tumatawa naman si Galix sa gilid namin because Maddie is hysterically searching for something to wear from the pile of clothes in her luggage.

“Para kang tanga. May pinopormahan ka ba?” tanong ni Galix kay Maddie

Maddie just looked at our direction, roll her eyes at us and calmed down for a bit. Then bigla siyang nagpunta sa banyo habang bitbit ang mga napili niyang susuotin.

After a few minutes, the newly created group chat by Shiro started to ring and notifications piled up. When I checked it, I saw that they’re ready na sa baba kaya dali dali na rin kaming bumaba tatlo.

Pagkababa namin I realized na kami nalang talaga yung kulang.

“Sorry guys, ang tagal kasi ni Maddie” biglang sabi ni Galix which caused Maddie ‘s cheeks to blush a little.

“So let’s go?” Aya ko sa kanila

“Tara”

“Let’s g!!!” Energetic na sabat ni Shiro. I like Shiro’s vibe. She’s goofy at palagi lang siyang nakangiti. Para siyang baby, walang problema. Nakakahawa yung energy niya.

Pagkalabas namin sa mansion, the cold night air hugged us and kahit nakajacket ako, I still felt my body shiver.

“Where’s the car?” tanong ko sa kanila

Tumawa si Aize, tumingin naman sa akin si Summer, eyebrow raised, as usual

“Magmomotor tayo gurl” sabi sa akin ni ate Clarence, hindi paman ako nakakarecover sa information ay dinagdagan na naman iyon ni Maxxie

“For the thrill, mag sspin the wheel tayo kung sino partner or driver niyo sa motor”

“For real?” Galix asked, giggling, clearly exasperated by the idea

“So for Aize’s partner”

Then they clicked the app and the arrow pointed at Maddie’s name. Everyone clapped at the result and ate Clarence teased ate Aize

“Wow Aize, the heavens heard your prayers bai” banat ni ate Clarence kay ate Aize habang kinikiliti siya sa tagiliran

She glared at her intently and said,
“Paghilom gud Clarence bi”

Tumawa lang kaming lahat except kay Maddie na naestatwa sa kinatatayuan niya. Red as a tomato kahit medyo madilim.

“So for uyab, and partner mo ay”

“Sana hindi ikaw Max, patawang sigaw ni Summer”

Nawawala ang mga mata niya kapag tumatawa siya at relaxing pakinggan ang tawa niya. Our eyes met for a brief second and her chuckle died down

“Ako! Thank you Lord” sabi naman ni ate Maxxie ng natapat sa pangalan niya yung arrow kaya natawa na naman kaming lahat kasi patalon-talon pa talaga siya

Then it’s time for Shiro’s partner to be picked. I prayed to the heavens above na ako yun para hindi ko makapartner ate niya pero siguro mahina ako sa langit kasi sa pangalan ni Galix nakaturo yung arrow.

Shiro and Galix erupted on cheers.

I sighed.

Then nagsalita ulit si ate Maxxie “Okay! This will be the body system until end ng vacation nilang tatlo, g? Majority wins”

Everyone agreed except Summer and when I looked at her direction, she rolled her eyes at me. Again. So to hide my annoyance, I just smirked at her.