It Will Always Be You

Chapter 1

Oh giliw ko,

Miss na miss kita

Sanay lagi kitang kasama.

"Lyric?"

Mula sa pakikining ko ng music ko sa Spotify, nag angat ako ng tingin sa taong tumawag sa akin. First name basis ba. Ano akala niya, close kami?

"What?" Taas kilay kong tanong sa lalaki.

Base on his uniform, he's a med student.

"Ikaw nga! Hi Lyric!" Nakangiting sabi niya at naupo pa sa tabi ko.

I consciously moved away a little, "Uh, sorry but who are you?"

Napakamot siya sa batok niya at napangiwi, "You don't remember me?"

Kumunot ang noo ko sa kaniya, "Should I remember you, though?"

I was expecting that he will walk away because of my attitude towards him, but no. Tinawana lang niya ako.

"I guess you already forgot me," he said at nag lahad ng kamay sa harapan ko, "I'm Sebastian Angelo Monteferrante."

Sebastian Angelo Monteferrante

Familiar ang name niya. I heard it som------

"Basti?!"

Sa sobrang pagkagulat ko, ay napatayo pa ako sa kinauupuan ko at hinarap siya.

"At last, you remember me. Akala ko makakalimutan mo itong gwapon nilalang na ito eh," he teased and made a 'pogi sign' pa.

I kicked his leg a little, "I'm sorry, I forgot you. It's been, 15 years kasi eh," I said and went back on my sit, "How are you?"

"I'm fine thank you," he smirked at me.

Nag salubong ang dalawang kilay ko, at hinampas ko siya sa balikat niya, "Stupid! I'm asking her a serious question, so be serious nga. Hindi ka pa rin nag babago."

Tumawa siya, before he run his fingers on his hair, "Okay naman. As you csn see, pogi pa," and he winked at me.

I gave him a digusting look, kaya tumawa ulit siya, "Kidding, ito naman hindi ka mabiro eh."

"So kumusta naman ang Alaska? Did you already saw the Northern lights?" Tanong ko sa kanya while i clung my arms on him.

He nodded his head, "Jusmiyo, halos every month nakikita ko iyon."

Inalis ko ang pagkakakapit ko sa braso niya, "Why? Where do you live in Alaska?"

"Fairbanks."

I was about to say something when one of my friend pulled me. Irita akong tumingin sa kaibigan ko, "What do you need, Carla?"

"Sino siya?" She whispered while pointing at Basti's side.

"Childhood friend, why?" Bored kong sagot.

Umiling lang siya, "Your friend is hot."

Umirap ako sa kawalan, "And?"

She gigled and shook her head, "Nothing! Hinahanap ka namin kanina, but I guess you have someone who will accompany you know, bye!"

With that ay iniwan niya na ako. I sighed before going back to Basti's place. Nandito kami ngayon nakaupo sa labas ng Main building ng UST. It's our lunch break, and I decided to roam around here after eating.

"Kaibigan mo?" Basti asked and I nodded my head.

"Where, were we?" I asked and he leaned his back on the bench, his hand are on his nape.

"Eh ikaw? Bakit spokening in euros ka na?" He asked while his eyes are closed. Nakatingala kasi siya.

Kumunot na naman ang noo ko, "Bawal? I studied in abroad when I was a senior high school."

Agad syang nag mulat ng mata at tinignan ako, "Ows, talaga? Saan?"

I shrugged, "New Zealand."

"Wow, big time!"

I looked at him, "Big time your face. Sino kaya yung nasa Alaska buong buhay niya?"

Agad syang ngumuwi at napakamot sa batok niya, "Me."

"Pero, hindi mo naman kinwento sa akin?" He asked and I rasied a brow on him.

"We lost our contact after you left," I answered at napa 'O' nalang ang bibig niya.

He stood up, kaya tumayo na rin ako, "Ikaw lang ang nawalan ng contact, kasi ako nakikita ko bawat post mo."

Napatigil ako sa paglalakad, to face him, "What?! Paano?!"

He chuckled at namulsa, "Social media?" He asked as if I'm dumb.

"I mean how? Wala naman tayong f*******: accounts when we're still kids," I said and he shrugged.

"Search box?"

Pinaningkitan ko siya ng mata, "You know what, I'll be going."

I was about to turn my back when he hold my arms to stop me. Nilingon ko siya and he's now smiling, halatang nagpipigil ng tawa.

"I stalked your f*******: account, para maging update sa buhay mo," he said in a serious tone.

"Stalker."

He smirked, "Gwapo naman ng stalker mo."

Inis kong tinanggal ang kamay niya na nasa braso ko para makapaglakad na palayo. Urgh! Kailangan atang iupdate ni PAG-ASA ang ang panahon ngayon, masyado kasing mahangin eh.

"Hey..."

Naabutan niya ako at agad niyang kinuha ang braso ko, "What, ba?"

"Engineering course?" He asked as he looked at my uniform.

I nodded my head, "Yup, second year," pinasadahan ko rin siya ng tingin, "Med, huh?"

He nodded his head, "Third year."

We part our ways since magkaiba ang building namin pareha. I saw my two friends who's talking outside the Engineering building. Tumakbo ako palapit sa dalawa at inakbayan sila pareha.

"So, kumusta pag uusap niyo ni Mr. Medicine?" Carla asked while she's smirking at me.

Napatakip sa bibig si Gerturde at tinignan ako. Niyugyog pa niya ang balikat ko ng bahagya, "May kakilala ka sa med?!"

Nag salubong ang dalawang kilay ko, "Well, yeah."

She stopped shaking my shoulders, "Now, who's this Mr. Medicine? Kanina pa nag kukuwnto si Carla na may kausap ka raw sa tapat ng Main building na gwapong nilalang."

I looked at Carla, and she immediately gave me a peace sign. Binalik ko ang tingin ko kay Gertrude na ngayon ay nakahalukipkip.

"He's just my childhood friend.Nakalimutan ko na nga siya, kasi ilang taon na kaming hindi nagkita," I answered them.

"Guys, may faculty meeting ngayon, so walang klase sa buong hapon," one of our classmate announced.

Hindi ko kaklase sila Gertrude at Carla kaya nag kita nalang kaming tatlo sa labas ng building. Carla is there while sipping on her buko shake.

"Wala pa si Gertrude?" I asked once I got to her place.

Her gaze went up to look at me, "Wala pa eh."

"Ms. Chelsy."

I looked at the gay who called me. Agad na kumunot ang noo ko, dahil hindi ko naman ito kilala, but he's also and engineering student.

"Yes?" I asked him and he looked at his friends.

"Pare sige na, dinadaga ka na naman eh," one of his friends told that.

"Grab the opportunity pare, nandyan na si Ms. Engineering sa harapan mo," another friend said that.

"What is it?"

Agad na lumingon sa akin yung tumawag sa pangalan ko. He walked towards me and smiled at me. He's tall and very masculine. He has this perfect jaw and a perfect nose that suited his moreno color.

"Mason Denver Chua," he introduced himself at nag lahad ng kamay sa akin.

Hindi ko tinanggap ang kamay niya, at humalukipkip nalang, "Okay. Anything else?"

He looked at his friends again, as if he's asking for help. Napabuntong hininga ako at napailing bago hinatak si Carla paalis, but he called me again.

"Look Mr. Chua, if you have anything to say, feel free to say it right now. Huwag mong sinasayang oras ko."

"Chelsy I like you."

Kumunot ang noo ko at binitawan si Carla. I already saw Gertrude walking towards are direction, so I have to do this fast.

Lumapit ako sa lalaki at bored ko syang tinignan, "Anything else?"

Kumunot ang noo sa akin ng lalaki, "You know what, they're right, you have this kind of attitude that nobody likes."

Nginisian ko siya and tapped his shoulders, "I'll take that as a compliment. Ciao!'

I was about to turn my back when he said something that made me bother, "Remember this day, Chelsy. You're gonna regret this."

I lazily looked at him again, "Asshole, try me, wanna bet?"

With that ay hinatak ko na si Carla paalis. Sakto naman na dumating si Gertrude.

"Sayang wala ka, hindi mo nakita yung scene kanina. Buti nga may buko shake ako na iniinom eh," Carla said and clung her arms around Gerturde's.

Taka akong tinignan ni Gertrude, "Anyare? Pasgapa naman, mahina signal ko eh."

I laughed before shaking me head, "Nothing much."

Ngumuso siya, "Ehh, naman eh, ang damot."

Umiling nalang ulit ako. We decided to roam around the campus. Bawal pa kasi kaming lumabas dahil Engineering department lang naman ang walang klase, the rest they all have.

"So ano ngang nangyari?" Pangungulit ni Gertrude pagkaupo namin dito sa Starbucks.

"Nandoon ka pa rin?" Tawang tanong ni Carla.

I ordered Java chip frappuccino and a piece of Blueberry cheesecake, while Gertrude had some Blueberry cheesecake and Triple Mocha frappuccino. Hindi na nag order ng frappuccino si Carla because she already had some buko shake, kaya Blueberry cheesecake nalang ang binili niya.

"Chelsy."

When my name was called, agad akong tumayo para kunin iyon. I was surpirse when Basti was there, holding my order.

"No class?" I asked before he handded me my order.

He shook his head, "Faculty meeting, kayo?"

I sighed, "Same."

"Sebastian!"

We both looked at the direction kung saan may tumawag sa kaniya, "Sige Noah, wait lang," Basti said before looking at me.

"I should go," paalam ko and he nodded his head.

"Mr. Medicine is here," nakangising sabi ni Gerturde pagkababa ko ng order ko sa mesa namin.

I sighed before taking out my straw, "Wala rin pala silang klase ngayon, akala ko tayo lang."

After finishing or snacks, we already went outside. Napagdeisyunan namin na pumunta nalang sa harapan ng main building at doon tumambay. I got my sketch pad and pencils habang nandito kami.

"Ano gagawin mo?" Carla asked while she's looking at my sketch pad.

"I will just draw the main building. I'm bored," I answered bago nag Indian seat.

Kaming tatlo ay may kaniya-kaniyang mundo. Carla is reading her notes, while Gertrude is just texting. Hinarap ko ulit yung main building at tinignan iyon. Actually, halos lahat na nga ata ng building dito, na drawing ko na. Sinuot ko muli ang airpods ko bago nag sketch.

Panalangin ko sa habang buhay

Makapiling ka Makasama ka

Yan ang panalangin ko.

I'm also humming the tune of the song habang nag ssketch.

"Chelsy,"

I looked at Gertrude who is now looking at me, "Yeah?"

Lumapit siya sa akin at pinakita niya ang phone sa akin. It's a video wherein the guy is holding a guitar while he's singing a tagalog love song. The girl is looking at him habang nakasilip ito sa bintana niya.

"Naalala lang kita dito. Diba gusto mo maranasan maganyan?" Gertrude asked once the video stopped playing.

Mula sa pagbabasa ni Carla ng notes, ay napunta sa amin ang atensyon niya, "Ano iyan? Harana?"

"Yup," Gertrude answered.

Bumuntong hininga ako at pinagpatuloy ang pagsketch ko. Yes, I want to experience the old way of pursuing someone. Para sa akin kasi, yung old style ng panunuyo sa babae, ay mas sincere o mas may meaning compared ngayon.

I mean, I'm not against today's generation if their style is like that. You know, texting or yung tipong speed lang.

If I were given a chance to bring back the time, pupunta ako sa taon na uso pa ang mga harana, pamamanhikan, yung tipong old letter and poems sapat na.

"Lyric."

Napatigil ako sa paglalakad ko paakyat sa hagdan ng bahay namin, nang tawagin ako ni dad.

I lazily looked at him, "Yes?"

"Are you doing well in your studies?" Dad asked and I sighed.

Of course, studies lang naman kinakamusta nila sa akin.

"Yeah," I answered and went upstairs.

Nadaanan ko yung kwarto ni ate at nakasara iyon. I walked towards it and knocked three times, before the door opened.

"What do you need?" My sister asked.

My gaze went around her room. Ang dilim ng paligid at may naamoy akong kakaiba.

"Look if you don't need anything, I will close---"

"A-are you doing fine?" I asked and she roled her eyes.

"As if you care," with that ay sinara niya ang pinto mismo sa mukha ko.

Napabuntong hininga ako bago ako nag tungo sa kwarto ko. i just took a quick shower before changing into my pajamas. Agad kong binuksan ang laptop ko para makapagsimula na sa pag aaral.

Sebastian Monteferrante sent you a friend request

Agad kong pinindot ang f*******: para iaccept ang friend request ni Basti. Ibabalik ko na sana sa site kung saan ako nag aaral, nang tumunog ang Messenger ko.

From: Sebastian

Busy?

I sighed before typing a message.

To: Sebastian

Yes, so f**k off

From: Sebastian

Oy, nag mumura ka na. Bawal iyan

Napailing nalang ako.

To: Sebastian

You should just focus on your studies. Don't be distracted, dumbass

From: Sebastian

Yes ssob

When I already finished reading my lesson, dumapa na ako sa kama ko. Morning came at agad akong naligo para makapag bihis. Today is Yellow day, so I just wore my yellow shirt I bought in Gucci. I partnered it with my white jeans and a totebag, before I went outside my room. Kumuha lang ako ng toasted bread and banana milk before heading outside.

"Ay wow, Gucci," Carla said as soon as she saw me.

"Carla told me about what happened kahapon, and nandito si Mason ngayon. Hinihintay ka," Gertrude said at nginuso ang kinaroroonan ni Mason.

He's leaning on the wall while he's texting. Binalik ko ang tingin ko sa dalawang kaibigan ko, "Huwag nalang natin siya pansinin, lets go."

Nang dumaan kami sa harapan ni Mason, he immediately looked at us. Agad niya akong hinawakan sa braso kaya naiwan ako ng mga kaibigan ko.

"What do you want?" Irita kong tanong sa kanya.

He smirked at me, "You."

I rolled my eyes in annoyance at tinanggal ang kamay niya sa braso ko, "In your dreams, fucker."

I was about to go inside the building when he held my arms again, pero agad din niya itong nabitawan dahil may tumulak sa kaniya.

"Let go of her, Chua."

I looked that pushed Mason away from me, and it's Sebastian. Nakakatakot ngayon ang itsura niya. He's looking at Mason, deadly.