A Year Again (TagLish)

CHAPTER 3: STEFAN

"You promised that you will never leave me, so why?"

A Year Again.

CHAPTER 3: Stefan

ISABEL'S POV

I lift the box, despite of its heavy weight.

Should i even do it tomorrow evening?

Do i have to fulfill a promise without you?

I put the box under my bed, i don't want to see it before i go to sleep. I threw my body to the bed, finally, i can rest peacefully.

I looked at the ceiling, there used to be stars here, just stickers that glow in the dark. Whatever, nothing or no one will help me anyway, im hopeless.

I want to rest, but i don't think i want to sleep now. What should i do then? I need to come up with something to do.

I look around for things i can do, then i saw my luggage just lying on the floor, i almost forgot about that, but im just too lazy for it right now.

I guess i have nothing to do, let's just call it a day, then. I'm so bored, my eyelids are getting heavy, i tried my best to fully open my eyes, but it's no use.

It was a tiring and fulfilling day, i might just sleep for real now. I almost forgot to pray, i have to thank God for everything today.

"Lord God, i start this prayer today with a grateful heart, and a mind of peace. I thank you for everything you have done for my family, please give me the strength to do the things i have to do. Guide me everyday, and please forgive me for my sins. I ask for you to keep my family and friends healthy, and away from harm. Thank you for a healthy body, and a wonderful day. Amen."

I ended the prayer, and it's time for me to sleep now. I put on an alarm as i felt my body growing tired as minutes pass by. I close my eyes and sleep.

I woke up because someone with a deep mans voice is waking me up, "Yeah... yeah.... Wait a minute pleasee", i said while my eyes are still closed. "Gising na!" He shouted.

I slowly opened my eyes, but my vision is still blurry. I rub my eyes, and looked at the person, "Kuya!!!", i shouted and naturally put my hands around his neck and hugged him tightly.

I miss him. When our father died, he was the one who acted like a father to me. We did almost everything together, we were inseparable. He was my strength, and so was i to him, hopefully.

He looked at me once again, and hug me again, "Bella, you're finally home", he said in a relieved tone. Bella is the nickname he gave me since i was born. A lot of people also call me Bella, but most of them just call me Isay, my most used nickname i guess.

And this is my older brother, who acted like my father, kuya Stefan. He started doing part-time jobs when he was in high school, the time our father died.

He did it to support me and my mom, especially my studies. He said it is important for me to finish school, even if it meant sacrificing his own. We may bicker a lot, but we love each other so much that it didn't matter.

He was still able to graduate college, despite our situation. That's why im so proud of him, and i owe him everything right now. "Kuya, why didn't you text me??? Hindi man lang ako nakapag prepare, mukhang bruha pa ako ngayon", i said in a serious tone.

He just looked at me and laugh, "Hey, it's no time for a laugh kuya. I missed you" i said. He took a deep breath, "Aww, i miss you too Bella, okay kana?" he asked, i think i know what he meant by that.

I looked away for a second and looked directly into his eyes, "Your eyes never lie, mag-usap nga tayo? I want to hear what my sister is doing these past few years, as a great brother" he said.

"Wala naman pong ganap kuya, mostly everyday is the same. I still feel empty, hindi ko na alam anong gagawin", i explained my situation. "Bella, i know that you're trying okay? Just do it in baby steps, you're eventually gonna get there, i trust you, i know you" he said and that calm the heck out of me.

"Mag kwento ka naman sakin kuya, i need to know what you've been doing too", i said, "Ito nalang, you know Anita right? I finally got to ask her out, hindi na kita na message, i was planning to tell it to you in person today. She said yes for me to court her!!" He said a great news.

Finally, i love ate Anita. I got to meet her once before when i got to spend my holidays here. She was kind, smart, genuine, and family oriented, i like those kind of people, and she gives off a positive vibe.

My face lightened up with excitement, parang hindi kona kailangan mag skin care. "Kuya! Im so happy for you, i love ate anita kaya! So, kailan ang kasal??" I asked in a fast pace, full of excitement, i hope he can catch up to what i said.

He looked shy as he listen, "Im still courting her, Bella, nagmamadali ka ata. She's not even my girlfriend yet, im not even sure if she will like me. We've been on a few dates, but that's all, i don't know how I've been doing on those dates so far" he explained the situation sadly.

I looked with a concerned expression, "Why? What does ate Anita like? All i know is that she has a great family, even mom likes her for you. Just make sure kuya, that you're making her feel comfortable."

"Think of her happiness in every date, if she likes something, take note of it, put it on your mind. Her favorite color, scent, if she likes flowers or chocolate, what kind of flowers? What kind of chocolates? Diba? Dapat ganun, kuya, if you really like her, then do everything that makes her happy", i added.

He nods at everything i said, he must agree, "She's someone very hard to read you know, a lot of guys also like her, i don't know if i can win her heart, Bella, it's hard. Argh, im such a coward", he said with frustration.

"Kuya, this is what you should do. Make an impact, do something to her that she will never forget, that will keep her up all night, because she loves it. Then eventually, she will start developing feelings for you."

"But the time i saw her 2 years ago, everytime she looks at you, it's like she's waiting for you to ask her out" i added, giving him more suggestions.

He looked like he is thinking about something, he looks so cute everytime he is confused. "Kuya, don't worry, i have your back you know? For sure, kaya mo yan, i know she likes you. By the way kuya, anong ulam?" I asked him to get out of the topic.

He thought for awhile, "Oh yes, adobo" he said. I was confused, "Eh? Ganyan din ulam kahapon ah" not complaining, pero wala ng adobo eh.

"Just kidding, ewan ko ba, i ate on the way here, im full too. You should take a shower and eat. I'm gonna go now, gotta check my room, see you" He said and left the room.

I rummage through my luggage to get my towel, then head to take a shower.

STEFAN's POV

I hate it when i see her like this, she's just laughing and all, but i know she's not happy. She was always honest about what she was feeling, she told me she felt empty, i totally understand, but is that all?

If only i was there that day the accident happened, i could've gave her the comfort that she needed. She locked herself in her room, that was what mom said, if only i was there, those sad times shouldn't have been lonely.

I blame myself for everything that happened, not because of the accident, but because of what happened to her. I couldn't do anything but listen to the phone while my mother is telling me everything, even some of it were lies.

Im sorry, Isabel. I wasn't there when you needed me the most, our fathers death was tragic, but i didn't know that this will happen to you because of another man.

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I left her room after i told her to take a shower and eat afterwards. I went straight outside, i decided to check my old room later. I saw dom, my favourite pamangkin.

I silently walk to him and hug him from behins, "Dom!!" I shouted from behind.

"Kuya Stefan?" He shouted with enthusiasm

"Oo, ako to. Hindi naman pwede na wala ako dito sa New Year no, madami kayang pagkain." i said and we both laugh, we love food so much that we can talk about it all day.

"Kuya, pinuntahan mo na po si ate Isay? Namiss ka nun" sabi ni Dom, showing his deep dimples i never had, but i wish i has lol.

"Oo, kakaalis ko nga lang sa kwarto nya, she's taking a shower, ang panget kasi" i said and laughed, but he isn't, akala koba vibes kami ng bata nato.

"Maganda naman po palagi si ate eh" he defended Bella.

"Talaga ba? Eh sakanya ka nalang, nagtatampo na ako sayo, totoo nato talaga" biro ko sa kanya.

"Ha? Gwapo ka din naman po, wala naman po panget sa pamilya natin eh" this kid is so smart, totoo nga yan, kaya hindi nagsisinungaling ang bata eh.

"Laro nalang tayo, ano gusto mo? Habulin kita? O volleyball tayo?" Tanong ko, mahilig kasi ito sa volleyball, parang si Isabel lang.

"Tara po, kukunin ko lang po ang bola" sabi nya, i waited for him then we started playing.

Im gonna leave this afternoon anyway, im just gonna make the most out of it.

END OF CHAPTER 3, PLEASE WAIT TOMORROW FOR THE NEXT CHAPTER! THANK YOU GUYS!