Yia and Elya

Chapter One

          As I settled into my room to tackle the never-ending pile of schoolwork, my mother's urgent reminder echoed in my mind. "Hey, there's a new neighbor moving into the freshly constructed house next door. Let's make sure we're on our best behavior, okay? No more rowdy outbursts. We have someone sharing the neighborhood now. Let's be considerate." It made sense. Our household had a knack for turning up the volume even when we were inches apart. Not that it came from a place of anger, but our voices were always one decibel too high.

        Seeking solace in my sanctuary, I ascended to my room, clutching my books tightly. As I perched on the balcony, a breathtaking sight caught my eye—a woman, a vision of beauty that surpassed my own. Yet, instead of succumbing to envy or a wave of insecurity, an unfamiliar sensation coursed through me. Could it be described as being entranced by her exquisite allure? Her eyes gleamed like radiant orbs, transforming into a golden hue when caressed by the gentle touch of sunlight. Oh, how mesmerizing her luscious long lashes. The contour of her nose was flawlessly sculpted, and her lips, oh, how they enticed me with their striking hue, begging for a stolen kiss. What on earth was happening to me? Was I losing my mind? After all, she was a woman.

        In a daze, I found myself locking gazes with her. "Um, hi!" I managed to stammer, a hesitant smile playing upon my lips. However, her countenance remained impassive, devoid of any reciprocation or greeting. It became obvious that her attention was fixated on my pet bird, not me. A wave of mortification washed over me, leaving me yearning to bury myself deep within the earth's embrace. "I assumed she was looking at me. Oh, the shame."

           A sharp knock at my bedroom door jolted me out of my reverie. "Alyia Monterey! Hurry up and get dressed! We're heading over to the neighbor's new abode for a housewarming event. They invited us to join their prayer ceremony. Of course, we're scrambling to get everything done at the last minute. The world seems to have a penchant for mounting pressure when deadlines loom! So, get a move on!" My mother's voice pierced through the walls, reminding me that, apparently, shouting was now fair game. I couldn't help but wonder if she might give Eminem a run for his money with her rap skills.

        I swiftly changed into a loose black shirt and slipped on a pair of high-waisted black pants. Opting for comfy sneakers, I reminded myself that even for a visit next door, I should look decent. As I descended the stairs, Mama scolded me, "What's with the all-black outfit? Are you going to a funeral? And that black hat? Your style is wilder than your brother's. You're like those guys your sister swoons over on TikTok." She didn't hold back. "Mama, seriously..." Ate Mae jumped in, her voice tinged with embarrassment as she connected her phone to the TV to watch her t****k crushes. Kuya Jake chimed in, teasing Ate Mae, "Just leave me be, Jake" as if he too understood her infatuation. Suppressing my laughter behind Mama's back, I thought, "You may be older, but the younger ones always win at teasing. Let's hurry before someone devours all the food." Mama scolded my older siblings, even though I was the youngest. Ate Mae and Kuya Jake were twins born on different days—Kuya Jake arrived at 11:40 PM on December 16, while Ate Mae made her entrance at 12:25 AM on December 17. They are both 21 now, while I remained a 17-year-old in eleventh grade.         

    By the way, Mama meant that our neighbors might bring food since we were late. After freshening up, we headed to the neighbor's house. Their place was slightly bigger than ours, but the fancy interior design with an extravagant chandelier spoke of their wealth. We were well-off too, but our house had a simpler style, maybe because it was older—built when Mama and Papa got married.       The house buzzed with other guests, some familiar faces from the neighborhood and others I didn't recognize, probably relatives of the newbies. The newcomers warmly greeted us, giving Mama kisses on the cheeks and introducing themselves. In the midst of it all, a young girl around 12 years old walked by, engrossed in her phone. Her mom gently stopped her. "Oh, this is my youngest, Star. She's really into Roblox," the lady shared, her smile beaming. Too much information, I craved more details about the girl who had captivated me earlier. The young girl politely greeted us, her words dripping with courtesy. "Good morning."

"She's so well-mannered," Mama remarked, clearly touched by the girl's grace. The lady seemed to be around Mama's age, maybe in her mid-forties. She pointed to the girl sitting in front of the TV, absorbed in The Conjuring. 'Praying while watching a spooky movie, how intriguing,' I chuckled silently. "That's my oldest, Andromeda. She's 20 and in her second year of college, but she prefers Anda," the lady proudly introduced. "Your kids are gorgeous. How many do you have?" Mama asked, her curiosity sparked. "Three. My other one in the bedroom. She's shy and introverted," the lady revealed. Ah, She's shy. I stole a glance at Kuya, who had been captivated by Anda since we arrived. "Ahem," I cleared my throat, playfully nudging him. "You're quite the charmer, falling for her so quickly?" I whispered, a mischievous smile playing on my lips. "Shut up," he retorted, nudging me back. "Ouch!" I winced, smacking his arm in return. I saw Mama casting a knowing look our way. Send help. Fortunately, the lady remained oblivious to our playful antics.