A Goodbye Written in Stars

Chapter1

Organic Encounter.

Nagising ako nang maaga because it was our first day of school-bagong gamit, bagong classmates, and most especially, bagong school.

I somehow felt nervous, pero okay lang. I'm confident naman with my aura and my abilities as a student.

"Good morning, Luna," bati ni Lola sa'kin.

I smiled and kissed her on the cheek.

"Good morning, La. Where are Mom and Dad?"

Nagkibit-balikat na lang si Lola.

"Gabrielle, Luna isn't comfortable here. We should go back to Manila," I heard Mom say as they walked toward the dining area.

Here we go again, I thought.

"Isabelle, Luna will surely like it here," Dad replied.

They were still arguing about me attending a public school here in Dad's province.

Napapaisip tuloy ako kung bakit ayaw ni Dad na tumira kami rito pagkatapos nilang magpakasal. Although both of them were busy with work, I knew this wasn't the life Mom had imagined for me.

"Gab, we should ask her first. Or maybe we should just leave her in Manila while we're doing our work here," sabi ni Mommy.

"We already talked about this, Isabelle," Dad said in a serious voice.

Napilitan lang din naman akong sumama dahil sa trabaho nila. Sinama pa nila si Lola Lena para may kasama ako rito.

My mom is a social worker who was assigned here in Zamboanga City. My dad also spent part of his childhood here and lived in the city until he was five years old before moving to Manila to continue his studies.

Nagkatinginan na lang kami ni Lola at mahina kaming natawa.

"Mom... Dad..." Hindi ko na napigilang sumingit sa usapan nila.

Agad silang napatingin sa'kin.

"I'm okay. Makaka-adjust din naman ako. Tsaka hindi naman tayo rito forever," sabi ko habang umiinom ng gatas.

They both looked at each other.

"Kukuha na lang ako ng body guar-"

"Oh no! No, Mom!" mabilis kong putol sa sinabi niya.

A bodyguard? Seriously? I'm not the daughter of a president, for Pete's sake!

"I can handle this, Mom. This isn't a dangerous place. Dito rin naman lumaki si Dad," sabi ko sabay lingon kay Lola, silently asking for backup.

Mukhang naintindihan naman niya agad.

"Belle, she will surely enjoy her high school life here. Besides, last year na niya sa junior high," kalmadong sabi ni Lola bago sumipsip sa kaniyang kape.

"Mama, you can't blame me. She's my only child," depensa ni Mommy.

Napabuntong-hininga na lang si Dad habang umiinom ng kape niya.

After a long discussion, pumayag din si Mommy. Finally, I could go to school without hearing another argument.

Mabilis akong tumayo at kinuha ang bag ko.

"Good luck, anak," Dad said with a smile.

"Call me if anything happens," dagdag agad ni Mommy.

"Nothing's going to happen, Mom," natatawang sabi ko.

Paglabas ko ng bahay, sinalubong ako ng malamig na simoy ng hangin. The sky was bright and clear, and the sun was already shining above the trees.

This was it.

My first day in a public school.

New place. New people. New experiences.

Hindi ko alam kung ano ang naghihintay sa'kin, but one thing was certain-

This school year was going to be unforgettable.

I stepped into the public school grounds on my first day, trying to act calm even if my eyes were already busy taking everything in. The place was louder than I expected students everywhere, slippers shuffling on concrete, voices bouncing off the hallways. I held my bag a little tighter and started walking, slowly roaming around while searching for my classroom.

I tried to look confident, like I belonged there, even if I was still figuring things out. My outfit was neat and put-together, kind of sosyal, but not maarte-just simple enough, nothing over the top. I wasn't trying too hard; I just liked looking presentable.

I checked every room number I passed, quietly reading signs on the walls, peeking inside classrooms filled with unfamiliar faces. Some students were already laughing with friends, while others were just like me wandering, scanning, trying to find where they fit in.

For a moment, I paused in the hallway, took a breath, and reminded myself I'd find it soon. It was just the first day. Still, my eyes kept moving, hopeful and a little nervous, as I continued roaming around looking for my classroom.

Until I found it.

Room 101 third floor.

Grade 10 student na ako. Luckily, graduating student na rin ako ng Junior High School sa susunod na taon. Sa wakas, pwede na akong iwan nina Mommy at Daddy sa Manila kahit may trabaho sila sa probinsya.

I've already talked to them about that, pero pinipilit pa rin nila akong i-baby. Kaya nga gusto ko na magkaroon ng baby brother para hindi na sa akin lahat ng atensyon nila. I mean, I'm not a baby anymore. I want to explore things and meet new friends.

"Hi, papasok ka ba?"

Napabalik ako sa realidad nang may biglang nagsalita.

"Ah... y-yeah," nauutal kong sagot.

"Sofia pala." Masaya niyang sabi habang inaabot ang kamay niya sa akin.

"Luna," simpleng sagot ko.

Pumasok na kami sa loob ng classroom. Hindi naman gaanong malayo ang classroom ng private school sa public school. Ang pinagkaiba lang, fully air-conditioned ang mga classroom doon.

"Transferee ka?" tanong ni Sofia.

Pansin ko, kanina pa siya daldal nang daldal. Hindi ba siya napapagod? Puro tango lang ang naisasagot ko. I don't know, I just don't feel trusting yet.

"Oo," sagot ko.

Minutes later, I got to know Sofia more. She was very talkative, but I liked the way she styled herself-from her hairstyle down to her neat and clean school uniform.

"Sabi na nga ba eh. Hindi ka kasi komportable kanina pa," aniya.

Biglang lumaki ang mga mata ko sa sinabi niya.

Oh no! Hindi dapat malaman ito ni Mommy. Tsaka normal lang naman siguro 'yon kasi first time ko rito.

"Hah-ah, d-di naman masyado. I'm still adjusting, I guess," sabi ko sabay iwas ng tingin sa kanya.

"Sus!" aniya habang bahagyang tinutulak ang balikat ko.

Natawa na lamang ako.

After a few minutes of waiting, our class adviser arrived.

"Okay, good morning, class," bati niya.

"Good morning, Ma'am!"

"I'm Ma'am Claire, and I am going to be your class adviser for this school year."

"You may take your seats," pagpapatuloy niya.

Sofia kept talking to me while our teacher was explaining something in front.

"Will you please stop talking?" medyo iritable kong sabi.

"Let's just listen first, Sofia," dagdag ko.

Nakinig naman siya sa sinabi ko.

Nag-lunch kami ni Sofia sa canteen. Super crowded dahil sa dami ng students. I already expected this kind of situation, kaya nagpahanda na lang ako ng lunch. Besides, I still love my yaya's cooking.

While waiting for Sofie, I let my eyes wander around the canteen, scanning every corner out of boredom.

That's when I saw him.

For a moment, everything around me seemed to fade into the background. My gaze lingered on him longer than it should have. He wasn't doing anything special-just sitting there, talking to his friends-but somehow, I couldn't look away.

The sunlight streaming through the windows caught the side of his face, highlighting his sharp features. His smile came easily, and when he laughed, it was the kind of laugh that made people around him smile too.

I blinked, realizing I had been staring.

Wow.

It wasn't just that he was handsome. There was something about him-something effortless and captivating-that drew me in. For the first time that day, I forgot all about finding my way around a new school.

And somehow, without even knowing his name, he had already caught my attention.

""Luna!"

Sofie snapped her fingers in front of my face.

"Kanina ka pa?" wala sa sarili kong tanong.

Tumango siya.

Shit!

Mukhang nahalata niyang kanina pa ako nakatulala.

"Ethan Villanueva," simpleng sabi niya.

"Huh?" sagot ko habang binubuksan ang lunch box ko, pretending that I didn't understand what she was talking about.

Ngumuso siya sa banda ng grupo ng mga lalaki sa kabilang table.

Napalingon naman ako.

"Ah... is he popular here?" tanong ko, trying to sound casual.

Sofie rolled her eyes.

"Hindi lang popular, Luna. Napaka-famous niya rito. Halos lahat ng girls may crush sa kanya."

Napatingin ulit ako sa lalaking tinutukoy niya.

He was laughing with his friends, looking completely unaware that people were talking about him. Hindi naman siya gumawa ng kahit ano para mapansin, pero somehow, siya pa rin ang sentro ng atensyon.

"Hmm," maikli kong tugon bago sumubo ng pagkain.

"'Hmm' ka pa diyan. Don't tell me nagagwapuhan ka rin sa kanya?"

"Hindi ah," mabilis kong depensa.

Pero ngumisi lang si Sofie na parang hindi naniniwala.

Hanggang sa nakauwi na ako ng bahay, iniisip ko pa rin ang mukha ng Ethan na 'yon.

Nakakainis!

Hindi ko naman siya kilala, pero paulit-ulit siyang sumasagi sa isip ko.

His sharp features, his confident smile, and the way he casually laughed with his friends kept replaying in my mind.

I groaned and ibinaon ang mukha ko sa unan.

"Seriously, Luna?" bulong ko sa sarili ko.

First day pa lang ng school, may iniisip ka nang lalaki.

at night. . .

I always love watching stars at night.

Napatingala ako sa kalangitan. The night sky looked so beautiful, covered with countless stars that sparkled like tiny diamonds. Their soft glow brightened the darkness, making the whole sky look magical. Some stars twinkled brightly, while others shone gently in the distance. The cool night breeze danced around me as I stared at the breathtaking view above. For a moment, everything felt calm, and it seemed like the stars were quietly watching over the world.

Sa kabilang bahay, napansin ko ang pagbukas ng ilaw sa isang silid. I saw a guy walking toward the window while his attention was focused on his phone.

Until...

"Ethan?" I whispered.

Holy crap! We're neighbors!

Halos mapunit ang bibig ko sa laki ng ngiti ko.

"Magkaharap pa kami ng kwarto," nakangiti kong sabi.

"Sino?" Bumaba ang tingin ko sa may hardin namin.

Shit! Narinig iyon ni Lola Lena?

"Hi, La!" bati ko, baka sakaling makalimutan niya.

"Can you come down, hija?" she asked.

"Sure, La," masaya kong sagot saka bumaba para puntahan siya.

Just like me, Lola Elena also loves watching the night sky. I remembered her telling me stories about how she used to make wishes upon falling stars with Lolo when they were young, just like me.

"Kilala mo ba yung kapitbahay natin?" walang paligoy-ligoy na tanong ni Lola.

Should I tell her?

"Ahmm... not really. Nakilala ko lang siya kanina dahil classmate ko siya," simpleng sagot ko.

"They're popular here," Lola said.

Napabaling ang tingin ko sa kaniya. She knows them?

I gave her a curious look.

"I know them, pero hindi kami magkabati, especially yung mga magulang ninyo," aniya.

Wait, what? Magkaaway sila?

"Magkaaway kayo?"

"Hindi ako, yung mga magulang ninyo..."

"Magandang lalaki ang anak nila. Mukhang napakabait pa," natatawa niyang sabi.

What's funny, La? Crush ko pa naman, tapos hindi naman bati ang mga magulang namin. Hindi pa nga kami nagkakakilala.

"La, hindi naman siguro kami damay if ever we become friends?" biro ko kay Lola.

"It depends on your parents, hija."

Pagkatingin ko sa may garahe ng bahay nila, nasa labas na siya at nakatingin sa banda namin ni Lola. Bahagya akong nagtago sa likod ni Lola, na ikinatawa naman ng magaling kong Abuela.

"La, it's too dark. Kaya nagtago ako sa'yo. Don't be so nosy," diretso kong palusot.

"Naku, hija. I've been there," natatawa niyang sabi.

Kaya mas close ako kay Lola kasi mas kilala niya ako kaysa kay Mommy. Napaka-strict niya at halos ayaw niya akong makipag-usap sa mga hindi ko kilala. I get her point, pero hindi naman siguro hanggang sa pati classmates ko ay hindi ko kakausapin.

"La! He's not my crush!" I whispered.

"Ba't ang defensive?"

"Look at you, Lola!"

Nagpatuloy ang biruan namin ni Lola hanggang sa pinatawag na kami nila Mommy at Daddy para pumasok na dahil gabi na.

Mula sa aking kwarto, sumilip ako nang bahagya kung saan siya nakatayo. He was still there, standing as if he had something deep on his mind.

I'm wondering what happened between our parents for them to become enemies.