Love Story

Chapter 1(See you)

Hapon na nang umalis ako sa tabing-dagat dito sa isa sa mga resort ng mga Ceviste. Today's the 18th birthday of my sister-- Havana Vare Adler. Isang engrandeng handaan ang makikita sa venue. I guess the whole resort was rented for this, huh? How special.

Hindi ko maiwasang isipin na palagi naman itong nangyayari. She always get the better while I get the "sakto lang". Hindi naman sa gusto kong maspoil but I just can't see enough reasons kung bakit nila ako ginaganito. I'm their daughter also, you know? Or maybe not? Wala namang rason para maging anak ako sa labas. My family is known in the designing industry so maybe they just hate me as their daughter. No. Mom hate me as her daughter because Dad loves me equally like Havana.

When I wanted to pursue Architecture Mom stopped me and made me took Civil Engineering as my course. Si Dad at si manang lang ang kakampi ko sa bahay pero dahil na rin sa ayaw ni Dad ng gulo he always assures me that everything will be fine. Labag man sa kalooban ko, I'm still doing my best in my course right now. Months lang ang ikinatanda ko kay Havana. When I had my debut, I only had my friends with me. Sina Amalia, the triplets--- Lynx, Cynx at Hynx at ang ibang mga kaklase ko sa Senior High.

Nang pumasok ako sa bulwagan nakita ko ang abalang mga tao para sa gaganapin. The theme was lilac with gold. Majestic, right? Well, expected from an Adler. The ceiling in the venue was filled with gold linings including the windows halos yata buong venue napuno nang gintong disenyo with touches of lilac, even the carpet is gold!Binigyan ako nang salad ni manang-- she's my closest among the maids.

"Red, nandoon na pala ang isusuot mo nakahanda na."

Tumango lang ako at binilisan ang pagkain sa salad habang pinagmamasdan ang paligid. This is the theme I love. Lahat nang nandito tumutugma sa lahat ng gusto ko. The flowers that I want to have, the stage presentation with the gold cushions and lilac pillows and everything that I wanted to happen with mine. Sana lang mali ang iniisip ko. Sana.

Binalewala ko nalang at dumiretso na sa kwarto ko. Havana is not that good to me, kahit mas matanda ako sa kanya mas lamang siya sa akin. In every aspect, mas lamang siya sa akin that's why I tend to keep to myself my own accomplishments. I tap myself for my own success.

I expected my gown to be simple. Nagulat ako nang nakita ko ang gown with my own design. Yes, I do designing. I guess nanalaytay talaga sa dugo namin ang magdisenyo pero hindi naman nila ako sinuportahan sa gusto ko. They even supported Havana sa gusto niyang Business Management na kurso.

I hurriedly wore the gown and did my own make-up.

Amalia:

Hey babe, how are you? Sorry, I got busy you know my parents.

We call each other babe. Amalia's my best friend. Simula bata, kami na ang nagkasundo. Nagkakilala lang kami nang triplets when our family joined the party of the elite families. I even had a crush on Lynx that time! But he didn't mind though. We were cool with it.

Ako:

Hi babe, am fine. Sanay na akong wala kang oras sa akin *insert mad emoji*

Tinawag ako ni manang dahil sa hinanahap na kami.

Ako:

I need to go, babe. Hinahanap na kami. Talk to you later, okay?

Hindi ko na hinintay na magreply si Amalia. All known families are invited kaya kailangan hindi ako mahuli. When I went there, nakalakad na sila. I need to be used to this. Yumuko na lang ako dahil nahiya ako sa nangyari. We were supposed to walk on the carpet together. Well, let's just say na kasalanan ko rin kasi na-late ako. Imbes na dumiretso sa table namin, I went the other way around.

I went to the seashore. Gusto kong umiyak pero walang lumalabas sa mga mata ko. Naubos na yata? Tinanggal ko ang heels ko at tumapak sa buhangin nang nakapaa. They won't notice that I'm not around so might as well sneak out. Napapagod na rin akong ipeke lahat nang emosyon ko sa harap ng ibang tao. I'm very lucky to have this family but emotionally, I'm not lucky enough. Tinaas ko ang laylayan ng gown ko dahil na rin sa mahaba ito. Umupo ako sa buhangin nang nakapaa. I guess useless ang pagtaas ko ng gown ko.

The sea was very calm, opposite to what I'm feeling. Gusto kong magwala, sumigaw at magalit but I couldn't and must not. Sumabog ang buhok ko dahil sa malakas na hangin.

I was stunned nang may pumatong ng jacket sa likod ko.

"It's cold. Why are you here?"

Hindi ko maaninag ang mukha niya dahil na rin sa dilim ng paligid. I am always confident at the dark. I can only see his side view. Baka nahihiya rin? Kaya hindi ko siya tiningnan na.

He looked at me.

"Your back is bare. I'm sorry nagulat kita."

"It's fine."

He sighed. Inulit niya ang tanong niya sa akin.

"Why are you here?"

"To breathe. Ikaw?"

"Same."

We were silent after that and just watching the waves in front of us. I don't know who this man is pero ang gaan nang loob kasama siya.

"You're the debutant, right?"

Nanlamig ako sa sinabi niya. What? Debutant? So all along inakala niyang ako si Havana?

"Nawala ka pagkatapos ng grand entrance mo and your parents just told everybody that you're taking your time changing the next outfit yet you're here?"

Hindi ako nakasagot sa sinabi niya. Havana ran after her grand entrance at hindi ko man lang alam ang nangyari. Why is that? Why did she disappear after that? Don't tell me we have the same gown? Kaya ba bongga ang gown ko? The hell!

Agad akong tumayo nang biglang natalisod ako sa gown ko. The man caught me. This is dramatic and I'm not even happy with it. His hand slightly touched my back.

"Careful."

"Uh--thanks. I-I-I need to go.Here's your jacket. Enjoy!"

I felt his stares at my back. Kinabahan ako. I don't know why I'm even nervous. Is it because of my family? Dahil ayaw nilang nakikita at naeexpose ako sa lahat? People knew about me but they don't notice me.

Dumiretso ako sa kwarto ko at napatalon nang makita si Havana doon. Lalapitan ko na sana siya nang mapagmasdan ko ang suot niya. Her gown. We have the same gown! Gusto kong mag-alburuto dahil sa nalaman ko. I knew it!

"Where have you been, dear sister?" sarkastikong tanong niya sa akin.

Pinukol ko siya nang masamang titig but she wasn't even intimidated.

"I have a request."

Here we go again. Damn, that request.

"What do you want again, Havana?"

" I want to sneak out. Now. Change into this gown and pretend you are me."

Dinuro-duro niya pa ako at ang gown niya.

"What are you up to this time? Paano kapag nalaman nila mommy at daddy that you sneaked out?"

She sweetly smiled at me. I know that smile. Evil smile.

"Pareho tayo ng gown walang iyo kaya alam mo kung bakit ka nandito."

Wala akong maisagot.

"You'll cover me up dear sister. Simple as that."

Wala akong laban sa kanya. Sa kanilang lahat. I don't know why they are treating me badly. Gusto kong lumayas pero bata pa ako para pangunahan lahat. I need to earn on my own. Tatapusin ko ang kursong pinasukan ko just like how they want me to do.

She changed her clothes. Magpapanggap ako sa gabing ito so I need to copy her look tonight.

"This is the last, Havana."

She just smiled at me. Kung hindi ko lang alam ang totoong kulay ng babaeng ito, malalason ako sa lahat ng sasabihin niya sa akin.

I am still ranting and cursing myself kahit na nakaupo na ako sa stage ni Havana. How I wish this is my own debut. Matutuwa pa ako. I feel like someone's staring at me pero kailangan kong mag-ingat dahil mabubuking kami ni Havana and it will always be my fault whatever circumstances it is.

Ginanap na ang 18 candles, 18 treasures at 18 shots, panghuli ay ang 18 roses. Ang usapan namin ni Havana ay babalik siya sa oras na mag-eighteen roses pero natapos na lang ang 18 shots hindi pa rin siya bumabalik. I need to change my outfit buti nalang hindi bare ang back because it was an off-shoulder gown. A galaxy designed off-shoulder gown. Natakot ako na baka bare ang likod may tattoo pa naman ako sa likod ko.

I was very nervous nang magsimula na ang sayaw. Damn! This is killing me! Nauna ang kaibigan ni Havana. I don't know him but I'm very nervous right now. One small mistake masisira lahat nang ito. I shouldn't have said yes to this! Damn it! Para akong naligo nang yelo dahil sa lamig nang kamay ko. I can't hardly feel my legs!

I know that Dad knew me kasi kanina pa niya ako tinitingnan. He know me too well.

Nang umabot na sa ika-labimpitong sayaw gusto kong kainin nalang nang lupa! How is Havana related with him? They knew each other? F*ck! I need to calm down dahil 'pag hindi malalaman niyang--No. He sees me as Havana and not as Scarlet.

Nang magkalapit na kami, pinatong niya ang dalawang kamay ko sa batok niya at ang dalawang kamay niya sa baywang ko. He's staring at me. s**t! I'm nervous right now!

"I like your tattoo."

Nanlaki ang mata ko sa sinabi niya. No. No. No. He saw my tattoo. He saw it. Kinalma ko muna ang sarili ko at tumingin sa paligid. I need to think.

Muntik ko nang makalimutan. Havana has tattoo, too! Hers was her own name na nakasulat in baybayin. Great! May palusot ako!

"Uh--it's my name in baybayin."

Tumango siya at tinitigan lang ako.

"It's beautiful. Happy birthday."

And his turn was over. Tulala akong nilapitan ni Dad. I don't need to fake myself in front of Dad but because maraming nakatingin sa amin, I need to and I must.

Ngumiti si Dad sa akin at hinalikan ako sa noo. I love how he does that to me. Very sincere and sweet. Well, I love forehead kisses!

"Where's your little sister, Scar?"

Ngumiti ako para hindi mahalata na may tinanong si Daddy sa akin about Havana.

"She's out again, Dad pero please 'wag mong sabihin kay Mommy. You know why, Dad."

Bumuntong-hininga siya at hinanap ang mga mata ko dahil yumuko ako after saying that.

"Alright, alright. Just please do inform me if you're not feeling fine. I'm really sorry, Scar."

I can sense sadness of what Dad said. Is there something wrong?

Hinilig ko nalang ang mukha sa dibdib ni Daddy at pinakinggan ang musika. This is so warm for me. I hope Havana and Mom will also be warm to me. I wanna feel them, at least. Muntik na akong umiyak dahil sa mga iniisip ko buti nalang sinayaw na ako ni Dad.

After the 18 roses, pinasalamatan ni Mommy lahat nang pumunta, presentations, the venue, the decorations, catering and all. Huli akong nagbigay nang mensahe sa lahat. I feel bad about how I deceived these people but at the same time gusto kong matawa sa pagiging stupido nila sa kagagawan namin. How come they can't notice this simple trick? Magkamukha ba talaga kaming Havana to the point na hindi nila malaman kung sino ang totoo o hindi?

Pagkatapos ng debut, agad akong dumiretso sa kwarto at naabutan si Mommy at Havana na nag-uusap. I guess Mom is mad but not that mad. Pinukol ako ni Mom nang masamang tingin. Here we go again with the cover up.

"You said yes to her sneaking out, Scarlet?"

"Yes, Mom. I'm sorry."

Tumawa si Mommy at pinandilatan ako ng mga mata niya.

"I can't believe you, Scar! Ikaw ang mas matanda dapat hindi mo ito kinukunsente! I told you right? Be a good model to her! You're such an i***t! Paano 'pag may nangyaring masama sa kapatid mo? Hinding-hindi kita mapapatawad, Scar! Remember that, you disgrace!"

Gusto kong umiyak pero walang lumalabas sa mga mata ko. I guess sanay na ako sa mga salita ni Mommy. Disgrace. i***t. Anything bad is me. Not new anyway.

Nang makalabas si Mommy agad naghubad si Havana at tinapon lang ang damit ko. Good girl talaga nang kapatid ko. Sobra.

Nagbihis ako at lumabas ng resort. I wanted the calm sea. I need to hear it.

Napatigil ako nang mamataan ko ang pamilyar na lalaki. He's here again?

Lumingon siya sa akin. He's tall. More like mas matanda siya sa akin. Ngayon ko lang nakita ang mga mata niya. Hazel eyes with gold flecks. Yung tipong 'pag tumingin ka sa kanya, his eyes will automatically stand out. Bumaling siya ulit sa dagat. I didn't stand close to him, I don't want myself be revealed. Nakakahiya.

"You're here again."

Tumango lang ako. Nilalamig ako pero hindi masyado dahil na rin sa nakajacket ako ngayon. He's also wearing the jacket he lent me awhile ago. Tahimik lang kami and I love that.

"I don't think your tattoo means your name." sabi niya nang balingan ako.

I composed myself dahil ayokong maramdaman niyang kinakabahan ako.

"It is. Maybe you should learn baybayin."

He's staring at me. He smiled. God! How can this man be so gorgeous?

Namula ang pisngi ko. Damn! This is not right.

"Yeah, maybe I should."

Lumipas ang ilang minuto bago ko napagdesisyunang bumalik na sa resort.

"Uh--I need to go."

Binalingan niya ako at tinaas ang kilay. Parang alam ko ang pinahihiwatig niya.

"Not sneaking out, if that's what you mean."

Tumawa siya. I knew it!

"Altair. Altair Bennett. See you"

Ilang minutong titig niya at dinugtungan niya pa ang pamamaalam sa akin.

"See you, Havana."

I wanted to correct him. I really want to but I know for sure it's not right. Ngumiti nalang ako sa kanya not answering what he said because I don't know if I can still see him.

See you when I see you, Altair.