Unwavering Beats of Our Hearts

Prologue

Ang paghahabulan ng mga bata sa parke ay masayang sinulyapan ng batang babaeng nasa loob lamang ng kotse habang nakasilip sa bintana. Masayang nakatingin sa mga kaedad niyang naglalaro.

"Sy, close the window. We're now going," utos ng mommy niya. Sumunod kaagad ang batang babae at umayos nang upo.

Nakamasid lamang ang batang babae sa labas ng bintana upang sulyapan ang nadadaanang mga tanawin. Tahimik lamang ito hanggang sa makarating sila sa pupuntahan nila.

After her mother parked their car, her mother unbuckled her seatbelt and held her to get out of the car. She saw the big house and she could hear the children's songs blasting inside it.

They went inside the house and she saw how well decorated the house was for an event. Her mother gently pulled her to greet the woman in front of them. Probably the owner of this house.

"Hi, little girl! What is your name?" the woman excitedly asked.

"Anniriah Fantasy Simeon po," Ria introduced.

"Wow! That's an amazing name!" The woman praised so she thanked her.

"Ikaw po? What is your name po?" tanong ng inosenteng bata kaya ngumiti ang babae sa kaniya.

"I am tita Lucia," pagpapakilala din niya sa sarili.

"Hi po, tita Lucia! Nice to meet you po!" bibong bati ng bata sa babae. The woman laughed at her and smiled eventually.

"Nice to meet you too, Anniriah. You can play with kids out there and let me talk to your mommy for a while, okay?" saad nito kaya hinayaan na siya ng mommy niya.

One of the maid approached her, "Gusto mo din bang makipaglaro sa kanila, hija? Hala!" sigaw nito nang makitang natamaan ng bolang pang basketball ang batang babae.

Napahiga ang batang babae at tumulo ang luha sa sobrang sakit nang pagkakatama sa ulo niya. Her mother rushed to see her daughter. Worry is evident in her face.

She helped her daughter sit and asked what was hurt. "My h-head, mommy.." mahinang bulong ng anak sa gitna nang paghikbi.

Lucia Augustin's son is the one who hit Anniriah's head.

"Look what have you done, little boy! Oh my God. Hindi porque birthday mo, pagbibigyan kita! Go and apologize to her!" Lucia Augustin shouted to her son.

The little boy went near the girl who he had hit. Amelia Simeon stood up and let the two kids talk.

"Hi, I'm Luke Floyreighn… I'm sorry for what I have done to you.. May I see your head if it's badly hurt?" mahinang bulong ng nito sa batang babaeng nakayuko ngunit inangat din ang ulo.

"It's okay but you should be careful next time… you're now forgiven," sagot ng batang babae at inabot ang kamay.

"I'm Anniriah Fantasy Simeon.." they both shook each other's hands and smiled afterwards.

________________

"Kailan ka mag eenrol para sa next school year?" tanong ni Luke sa akin habang kumakain kami sa 7/11.

"Sa May pa naman. Why'd you ask?" tanong ko at lumingon sa kanya. I wiped the sauce left on his lower lip.

"Siyempre, sabay tayo! Kailangan din sabay tayo para parehas tayo ng section," sagot nito sa akin kaya ngumiti ako.

"Nasa star section pa rin kaya tayo next year?" kumunot ang noo ni Luke sa tanong ko.

"Of course. Tayo pa!" ngumisi ito sa kaniya at nagpatuloy sa pagkain ng lunch.

We decided to eat ice cream before going back to the school. Good thing the school is just near the convenience store so we don't have to ride a tricycle.

Habang pabalik sa school ay hawak ni Luke ang payong ko kaya hindi masyadong mainit. We're still telling each other's stories and laughing with each other's joke.

Pagkarating namin sa classroom ay nandoon na ang lahat maliban sa afternoon teacher namin. Lahat ng mga kaklase namin ay napalingon sa amin kaya nahiya ako at dumiretso sa upuan. Hindi kami magkatabing upuan ni Luke dahil alphabetically arranged ang sitting arrangement namin. Sa unahan siya dahil letter A surname niya.

Good thing I'm tall enough to see what the teacher's writing on the board even though I'm in the last row. I don't really like to be in the last row but I don't have any choice since it's our class adviser's request.

I kept on writing in my notebook every subject since lectures help me a lot for reviewing before the examinations. I don't want to miss any lessons since it's hard to catch up so I'm trying my best to write fast and after a while, my right hand is sore.

I massaged it but it didn't get any better. I sighed. Buti na lamang ay tapos na ang huling klase at maipapahinga ko na ito.

Niligpit ko ang gamit ko at sinukbit ang bag. Paglabas ay naabutan kong nakaabang si Luke. Nagulat ako nang bigla siyang lumapit at inabot ang kanang kamay ko.

"Is it sore again?" he asked, worried. Probably saw me earlier while massaging my hand.

"Yeah… ang dami kasing kailangan isulat," ani ko. Minasahe din niya ang kamay ko habang palabas kami ng school. Umupo muna kami sa waiting shed at hinintay ang mga sundo namin.

"Baka naman magsulat ka pa mamayang gabi, ah. Bukas na ulit para magpahinga 'yang kamay mo," paalala niya at pinisil ang ilong ko. Sinamaan ko siya nang tingin kaya tumawa siya.

Napalingon kami sa bumusinang kotse sa kabilang daan at nakitang ang sundo ni Luke ang nauna ngayo'y dumating. Madalas kasing nauuna ang sundo ko.

"Oh, wala pa si kuya Clinton?" takang tanong niya sa akin kaya nagkibit balikat lamang ako.

"Sige na, mauna ka na. Maya-maya siguro nandito na 'yun," pagpapaalis ko sa kanya kaya sumimangot siya.

"Wala kang kasama, baka mamaya pa si kuya Clinton. Mamaya na ako uuwi kapag nandiyan na sundo mo o kaya sumabay ka na sa akin," pagpupumilit pa nito sa sarili niya kaya bumuntong hininga ako.

"Bahala ka kaso maghihintay pa si kuya Alex diyan," ani ko dahil kanina pa nakatingin dito ang sundo niya. Hindi niya naman pinansin ang sinabi ko.

Maya maya ay dumating din si kuya Clinton dahil bumusina na siya sa amin.

"Iyan na sundo ko, halika na. Sumakay na tayo para makauwi na tayo," anyaya ko kaya tumango siya.

Hinintay pa akong makasakay bago siya pumasok sa kotse nila kaya kumaway ako pagkababa ko ng bintana ng kotse. He waved back and smiled. He playfully winked at me so I smiled back.

"Hindi ba talaga kayo ni Luke, Sy?" napaangat ako ng tingin nang makitang hindi si kuya Clinton ang sumundo sa akin ngayon kundi ang pinsan ko! Si kuya Jiro!

"What are you doing here?! Nasaan si kuya Clinton?" gulantang kong tanong. "Pinag day off nila tita kaya ako na 'yung nag volunteer sumundo sa iyo."

Buti na lang nasa back seat ako dahil baka mamatay ako kapag nasa front seat ako dahil sa bilis niyang magpatakbo.

"Don't change the topic. Hindi ba talaga kayo ni Luke?" tanong niya at tinignan ako sa salamin.

"Hindi. Magkaibigan lang kami. Ikaw, napaka malisyoso mo, kuya," masungit kong saad at inirapan siya.

"Nagtatanong lang naman ako. Baka kasi kayo na at hindi mo lang sinasabi sa akin," sabi niya at ngumisi. I scoffed. Walang hiya.

Hindi ko na lang siya pinansin at pumikit. Naramdaman kong lumiko siya kaya napadilat ako. My forehead creased when I noticed that this isn't the way in our house!

"Where are we, kuya?" takang tanong ko at binuksan ang bintana. The place looks familiar.

My eyes widened when I realized that this is where my grandparents are living! Oh please. I don't want to face them yet.

I'm certain that they will ask my relationship with Luke again. Oh my God. Hindi ba sila napapagod laging itanong 'yun? Kasi nakakapagod na sagutin sila gaya noong lagi kong sagot.

Pagkaparada ng kotse sa harap ng bahay nila lola, I immediately sauntered out of the car. I walked fast inside the house. Bumungad sa akin ang nagkatipon kong pamilya sa malawak na sala ng bahay ng aking lolo at lola.

"Apo! Come here!" masiglang bati at anyaya ng aking lola. I smiled and immediately went to my Lola to hug her.

I embraced my Lolo as well and my parents who are also present in the gathering. Yeah, a family gathering. Few of my Aunts and Uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews are present.

"Tita Sy!" banggit ng isa sa pamangkin ko sa palayaw ko. Lumapit ako rito at ginulo ang buhok nito.

"Wala akong kiss, Tita?" Liam pouted. Tumawa ako.

"I'm from outside, baby. May mga dirty species na dumampi sa skin ni Tita kaya need ko munang mag wash ng katawan before kissing and hugging you," paliwanag ko sa pamangkin.

"Bakit po sila lola at lolo hinug mo?" inosenteng tanong nito sa akin kaya ginulo ko ulit ang buhok niya.

"They're adult naman, baby, kaya they can fight the sickness," nakangiting ani ko sa kanya. Tumango siya at inakay sa sofa at pinaupo.

"Maliligo lang po ako, saglit lang," pagpapaalam ko kaya tumango sila. Dumiretso ako sa kwarto ko dito.

Nilapag ko ang bag ko sa lamesa at kumuha ng aking pambahay sa closet. Pumasok ako sa banyo at sinimulang maligo.

After taking a bath, I immediately went downstairs to join my family who's laughing together. They noticed my arrival so they invited me to sit down and started the hot seat. Sigh.

"How old are you again, darling?" my Lola asked me when I sat. "Sixteen, 'la," I answered.

"Sixteen?! And you haven't introduced any suitors to us?" singhap ni Lola kaya humalakhak ako.

Why does it feels like a crime to not have suitors or boyfriend in this age for someone like Lola? Masaya naman ako sa kung anong kalagayan ng buhay ko at hindi ko kailangan ng boyfriend dahil masyado pa akong bata.

"Lola, with all due of respect po, I don't need any suitor or boyfriend especially I'm so young for it. At lalong hindi po ako naghahanap," I said, napupuno na sa dami ng mga expectations mula sa akin.

"Okay, then. But are you really not interested in Luke Augustin?" she asked, so this time, I'll answer her with all my respect.

"How many times do I have to tell you po ba hindi ako interesado sa matalik kong kaibigan? Kasi, nakakasawa pong marinig. Araw-araw. Imbis na nangangamusta, you'll bring that topic kaagad." I coldly said, making everyone silent.

Bumuntong hininga ako at humingi nang tawad. "Pasensya na po. Pagod lang, aakyat na po ako."

While walking upstairs, the noise of my slippers was the only thing I could here. Pumasok ako sa loob ng kwarto ko at humiga, feeling the tiredness in my body.

After almost an hour of closing my eyes, I heard my phone ringing. I looked at it and I saw my best friend's name. I immediately accepted the call and lay down onto my bed.

"Hi, Sy," maligayang bati niya mula sa kabilang linya.

"Hello. Bakit ka napatawag?" matamlay kong tanong at tumingin lamang sa kisame.

"Just to check on you. You sound off, Sy. Something's wrong?" he worriedly asked.

"Yes, medyo pagod lang…" I replied, making him silent. Obviously not believing what I said.

"Okay, if that's the case then you should sleep early, Sy. You should hang up now. Goodnight!" he uttered, making me smile.

"Goodnight, Luke…" I replied and hung up the call. I put my cell phone on my bedside table and forced myself to sleep. Hindi naman ako nabigo dahil nagising na lang ako nung naramdaman ko na ang sikat ng araw sa mukha ko.

I stretched when I stood up. After that, I made my way down to the dining room and looked for a sandwich and a spread. When I saw what I was looking for, my stomach growled in hunger then I remembered that I didn't eat my dinner last night.

Buti na lamang ay sabado ngayon kaya hindi ko kailangan mag ayos nang maaga. After eating a pieces of sandwiches, I made a cold espresso for myself. Umakyat ulit ako sa kwarto at dinala ang kape sa balcony ng aking kwarto.

The sunrise and the cold wind are a great combination in the morning like this. I could see the sun slowly rising up to light up the whole sky and the world with its beautiful and bright rays. I drank my coffee until its last drop.

To start the morning like this is already a good morning to start the day, I must say.

Days rolled in and the vacation is just around the corner. This coming school year will be my last year in High School and I can't believe that I'm already in my 10th grade! Time flies really fast.

"Sy, where are you going to take a vacation this year?" tanong ni Luke. I turned off my phone and immediately directed my attention to him.

"Hindi ko alam, e. Pero gusto ko lang dito sa bansa. Ayaw kong umalis ng bansa kasi sobrang hassle," saad ko at tinanong siya, "Kayo ba saan?"

"Kung saan may appointment sila Mom, for sure," he uttered, somehow disappointed since his parents were not really there for a vacation but for their work obviously.

"That's okay! Kapag nandoon ka, FaceTime lang tayo para kunwari may kasama ka doon na gumala kahit saan," pagpapalubag ko sa loob niya kaya tinignan niya ako at ngumiti.

"Okay! But the timezone.." he said, worrying about the different timezone.

"Don't be discouraged about it, okay? Malay mo, sabay tayo ng oras o kaya ilang oras lang pagitan!" pag aalo ko pa sa kaniya.

Tumango na lamang siya kaya ngumiti ako. Halos isang buwan na lang ay magbabakasyon na kaya pinag uusapan na namin ni Luke ang plano namin.

Sa loob ng ilang taon na pagkakaibigan namin, ilang beses ko lamang siyang nakasama sa bakasyon. Dahil minsan wala kami sa bansa o minsan sila naman ang umaalis. Sa tingin ko nga ay hindi pa lalagpas sa lima ang pagbobonding namin sa mga bakasyon na dumaan.

Days melted into months and I can't didn't realize that today is my class as a grade nine student. How come time flies so fast?

After our last class, I spent my free time with Luke because we don't know when we will be able to do this again because our responsibilities are increasing day by day. Might as well enjoy the rest of this night with my best friend.

After watching a movie, we ate our dinner before going home. Kuya Alex drove me home since Luke doesn't want me to call Kuya Clinton.

When we reached our house, Luke went out after me.

"Oh, bakit ka pa sumunod? Huwag ka nang pumasok sa loob para makauwi at makapag pahinga ka na," I uttered.

"Okay, pero sure ka bang sasama ka sa paghatid sa amin bukas?" Tanong ulit nito kaya tumawa ako.

"Oo nga. Ang kulit kulit mo talaga," pang aasar ko.

"Pasok ka na, aalis na kami kapag nakapasok ka na…" ani niya kaya tumango ako at nagpaalam na din kay Kuya Alex.

Before I closed our front door, I waved my hand at him and smiled right after. Dumiretso na ako sa kwarto at nagpahinga bago maligo.

After taking a bath, I immediately fell asleep due to exhaustion. I smiled with a smile on my face that even didn't falter when I woke up.