CHAPTER ONE

“KUNG maiiwan sina Nathan at Daddy, iwan mo nalang rin ako mommy!” All the protests were made by Andreana, but, even so, she will still going to America with her mother. Her brother, Nathan is seriously ill, which is why her mommy Amanda chose to take up the job offer in America. Sa edad niyang labing anim, alam naman niyang para sa kapatid ang gagawin ng ina. What she just doesn't understand, bakit pati siya kailangan isama nito? 

“Ginagawa ko ito para sa kapatid mo, Andreana!” lumuluha rin ang kaniyang ina. May kumirot sa puso niya ng sandaling iyon. “Anak, samahan mo ako sa America. I don't want to live there alone.”

“Pero mommy, mamimiss ko po si Nathan pati si Daddy!” She’s still crying. Niyakap naman siya ng ina. At the age of sixteen, she was taller than her mother. And her body was also very curvy for a young age.

“Andreana, listen." Seryoso nitong saad. "Remember, we're doing this for Nathan. Don't worry, we'll get back to them soon. Promise."

"T-Talaga, mommy?" Tumango ang ina. Kasalukuyan silang nasa NAIA Airport at hinihintay ang oras ng kanilang flight patungong America. Naluluha nalamang siya sa iisiping maiiwan niya ang kapatid na si Nathan at ang daddy Brandon niya.

Construction worker ang kanyang ama. Ang ina naman ay isang Teacher. Kulang ang sinasahod ng magulang, so her mom decided to go abroad. Ang kapatid niya ay may sakit na cancer, stage 3. Patuloy na nilalabanan ang sakit na iyon. Ang nangyari ay halos patayin nang kaniyang daddy ang sarili nito sa paghahanap buhay. Pero kahit ganon, hindi pa rin sapat para sa pagpapagamot ng kapatid.

She could say that they were a happy family back then. But when Nathan became ill, tila nabalot ng dilim ang kanilang tahanan. Parati niyang nahuhuli ang magulang na nagtatalo. Pero kapag kaharap sila okay naman ang mga ito. Ayaw lang siguro nilang ipakita sakanila na may problema.

***

NGAYON nga ay sakay si Andreana ng eroplano patungo sa isang lugar na kahit sa panaginip ay hindi nya narating. Ayon sa kanyang ina ay itutuloy niya ang pag-aaral sa LA. Even so, she really didn't want to come there and she preferred to stay with her brother and daddy.

Katabi niya ang ina. Bawat oras kinakamusta nman siya ng kaniyang ina. Kung okay lang ba siya o kung komportable ba siya. She just filled her chest with air and looked sadly out the small window of the plane. Ayon sa mommy niya, 16 hours and 44 mins raw ang kanilang flight patungo sa Los Angeles, California, USA. Ni minsan sa buhay niya ay hindi niya akalain na makakapunta siya sa America. Hindi niya alam kung anong magiging buhay niya doon pero ngayon palamang ay nakakaramdam na siya ng matinding lungkot.

Gumigising lamang siya kapag ginigising siya ng kaniyang ina para kumain at uminom ng tubig. Lumipas pa ang ilang oras ay nagising nalang si Andreana sa mahihinang tapik ng kaniyang ina.

"Here we are, sweetie." Her mom said. The plane landed at Los Angeles International Airport. She keeps her eyes exploring the view, the climate was also hot there, and she thought that she would see snow in America. She is probably wrong and her expectation disappoints her. But she was stunned. Is she really in another country?

"Where are we going now, mommy?" Tanong niya.

"Sweetie, my friend will pick us up. You know Faustine Morrison, don't you? The one who offered me a job." Sagot ng ina. She nodded. "Siya ang sasalubong saatin."

Isang matandang mayaman na si Mr. Faustine Morrison, isang half American and half Filipino. Balo. At sa kwento ng ina, may tatlo itong anak. Ilang dipa na lang ang layo nila sa mga sumasalubong. Isang matandang lalaki, isang binata, isang batang lalaki at isang dalagita na sa palagay niya ay kasing edad niya.

"Here they are!" Ngiti ng ina. Akala niya ay ang kaibigan lang ng ina ang sasalubong. Pero bakit mukhang kasama pa nito ang tatlong anak?

“Welcome to California ladies!” Bati ng matandang lalaki. Parehong gwapo ang anak nitong lalaki at napakaganda naman ang anak nitong babae. “California wears the crown for surfing. Do you know how to surf, Andreana?”

“Oh no! Hindi siya marunong, Faustine. She doesn’t even know how to swim! She is too busy studying.” Her mom answered. Tama naman ang ina. Hindi talaga siya marunong lumangoy.

“Don’t worry hija. My son, Matthew can teach you how to surf and swim. You can get along with them. My children are kind, Andreana.” Hindi siya sumagot sa matandang lalaki.

"I can teach her on my own, dad." Nakangiting turan ng dalagitang ka edad niya. Blond ang mahaba nitong buhok at napakaputi. Napaka tangos rin ng ilong at nakakamangha ang mga asul nitong mata.

"That will be great Melisandre." Tugon ni Mr.Morrison. “I’m glad that you three came with me to escort my friend and her daughter home,”

“Yeah. Of course, dad. Melisandre can't drive because she doesn't have driver's license yet. And Wazel is only eleven, he can't drive as well” Magkasalubong ang mga kilay ng panganay na anak ng matanda habang pinaglipat-lipat nito ang tingin sa kanilang dalawa ng mommy niya. "Who are they anyway?"

“Melisandre, Wazel, Matthew, I want you to meet my friend from the Philippines.” Simula ni Mr. Faustine. “This is Amanda, my friend and this is Andreana, her daughter. Amanda, Andreana these are my children, Matthew Gregory Morrison, the eldest. Melisandre Morrison, the middle child. And the youngest, Wazel Blake Morrison…”

“Hello. I am very pleased to meet you,” Nakangiting bati ng kaniyang ina sa tatlo. Ang pagkakatanda niya ay kapareho niyang 16 years old si Melisandre ngunit mas matangkad ito sakanya. At twenty-two years old naman ang panganay nito.

“Hello, Andrea. Let's be friends from now on. "Melisandre was still smiling at her, so she smiled back at her. Tumango nalamang siya.

"Can we be friends, too?" He smiled as Wazel spoke. Faustine resembles her youngest child. Her hair is naturally brown and her dark blue eyes are similar to his father’s. He’s tall at the age of eleven. Skinny and a bit shy. Nakikita niya ang kapatid niyang si Nathan rito. Wazel is only the same age as her brother.

"Of course, Wazel." Nakangiti niyang saad. It turns out that the two children of her mommy's friend are kind. Napansin naman niyang tumitig sakanya ang panganay. Ah. This one doesn't look nice.

The eldest son is also handsome. It has a large physique. Black hair. Taller and darker, kulay asul rin ang mga mata nito na parang nakaka-hypnotized ng tao. Ma-awtoridad din itong tumayo at kumilos.

“Your friend?" Matthew said, who did not hide the disagreement in his face and voice. Ganun rin naman siya, may duda siyang hindi lang magkaibigan ang mommy niya at si Faustine. Pero malaki ang tiwala niya sa ina. Hindi naman siguro siya pag sisinungalingan nito.“Are you kidding me, dad?”

His serious eyes turned to her. Of course, she met the gaze.

"Yes, I met her in the Philippines, years ago. I offer her a job and she said yes to it. Amanda and her daughter will be going to live inside our house for a little while." Sagot ni Faustine na nakangiti. May properties din kasi ang matanda sa Zambales kaya napauwi ito sa Pilipinas. At sa Manila raw nito nakilala ang kaniyang mommy.

"Really?" Melisandre was a little more pleased. Pati si Wazel. Matthew, on the other hand, didn't seem happy.

"Is that what you've planned? Without asking my opinion about it?" si Matthew. She just bowed. It seems that the eldest son does not want to live with them.

“I know, I surprised you, Matthew. But, I already talked to your sister months ago—”

"You know what, Faustine. Okay lang kami ng anak ko. We're just going to rent a place to live temporarily.” Saad ng ina.

"No, Amanda. Rental houses here are very expensive." Hindi sang-ayon ang matandang lalake sa sinabi ng kanyang ina.

"Daddy's right, tita. You can live at our house. Don't mind my kuya." Si Melisandre.

"Our house is big, too." Dagdag ni Wazel. Wala na ngang nagawa si Matthew kundi ang mapabuntong hininga at pumayag nalang rin.

"Okay, fine. Is there anything I can do?" Si Matthew.

"Yey! Thanks, big bro!" Si Melisandre.

Nagpapasalamat rin siya dahil marunog magtagalog ang anak nito. Nabalitaan din niya na isang Filipina rin ang mommy ng mga ito, kaya siguro marunong parin silang magtagalog kahit nandito sila sa US.

She’s not stupid, she can speak English too, but not always. Andreana could see Matthew's constant stare at her.

Isang Ford Ranger Lariat ang sinakyan nila pauwi sa bahay ng mga ito sa Beverly Hills, LA. Si Matthew ang nagdadrive. Habang si Faustine naman sa kanan, sa tabi ni Matthew. Sa likod ay apat sila, ang mommy, si Melisandre, Wazel at siya. Katabi niya ang kaniyang ina.

"I'm sure your daughter and my children will get along, Amanda."Isang ngiti lamang ang isinagot ng kaniyang ina rito at napatingin pa ito kay Matthew. Buong biyahe ay pansin niya sa rear view mirror ang nakasalubong na kilay ng panganay na anak.

Tanaw na tanaw niya mula sa bintana ang magaganadang stores na nadadaanan nila. Para bang pang mayaman ang mga ito.

"You know what, Andy? We can go shopping together! How's that?" Excited pang turan ng dalagita sakanya. Napangiti siya. Mukhang gustong gusto talaga siya nitong kasama.

"Can I go too?" Si Wazel.

"No. Girls only." Pabirong irap na sagot ni Melisandre. Tumingin pa muli ito sakanya at nagkangitian.

Pati na rin ang mga bahay na kanilang nadadaanan ay hindi lang basta bahay. Para bang mga mansion ang mga ito. Napaka luxurious people siguro ang mga nakatira dito.

“Welcome to Le Manoir de Morrison,” napatingin siya sa harapan ng magsalita ang matandang lalaki. Napanganga na lamang siya nang makita ang malaking gate na may nakasulat na Le Manoir de Morrisson. Malayo palang ay kitang kita na niya ang malapalasyong bahay na nakatayo sa loob nito.

Ang ganda naman dito. Sambit pa niya sa isip.

Semento ang driveway papasok. And both sides are filled with a variety of plants. Beautiful and blooming. He was amazed to see the house up close. Will they live here? The house is only two storeys but it is obviously for rich and spacious.

Maya maya pa ay nai-park na nito ang sasakyan sa garahe. Hindi lang isa ang sasakyan doon kundi lima at iba’t ibang klase ng sports car.

***

“MY lot here in Beverly Hills is more than 2 hectares. And this house has huge quality construction. It has 40,000 square feet, 10 bedrooms, and 14 bathrooms. ” Saad ng matanda. Andreana was stunned to find the interior of the house. French architecture is huge like a palace. Gold rin ang bawat linings ng ceiling at lahat yata ng kaga.itan nila ay halos may kulay ginto. It seems like all the equipment is also expensive.

“Parang nakakahiya naman na dito kami tumira ng anak ko, Faustine!” nahihiyang turan ng ina.

"Don't be, Tita Amanda." Si Melissandre.

"Oo nga, Amanda. Huwag ka mahiya. Just feel at home." Dagdag ni Faustine.

“Dad, pupunta na ako sa opisina.” Biglang sumabat sa usapan ang malamig na boses na iyon ni Matthew. Cold and very manly.

“Wait, son. Mamaya kana pumasok. Let's go for a walk with Amanda and Andreana first.” His father stopped him. Matthew just sighed and did nothing but grant his father's request. “Sorry, Amanda. My eldest is a very workaholic. He graduated in Architecture at Alliant International University and now owns a Firm in Baldwin. And my daughter, Melisandre, is still studying high school but his dream is to become a Doctor. And same goes for Wazel.”

“Hey dad, stop saying things like that." Si Melisandre. "Anyway, Andreana you should go to my school, too."

"Mommy and I haven't talked about that yet, Melisandre."

"Andre, call me Andre. And I'll call you, Andy." Saad nito.

"Well, if you want to be there at Melisandre's school, I can help you." Si Faustine.

"Oh Faustine, don't. I can take care of my daughter." Protesta ng ina.

"Tita, I wanna be with, Andy. Matagal ko ng gustong magkaroon ng kapatid na babae." Si Melisandre na pinalungkot pa ang mukha.

"I'll take care of you, Andreana. I'll enroll you to Melisandre's school." Wala na nga siyang nagawa ng sabihin ito ni Faustine. Bahala na. Iyon nalamang ang nasabi niya sa isip. Kung ano man ang mangyayari sa kanya sa hindi pamilyar na lugar na ito kapiling ang hindi pamilyar na mga tao ay bahala na.

“Welcome to your bedroom, Andreana and tita.” Isang pinto ang binuksan ni Melisandre. Maluwang ang kwarto na iyon.

Kasing laki pa yata ng loob ng kwartong iyon ang buong kabahayan nila doon sa Pilipinas. Off pink ang kulay ng mamahaling wall-paper. May queen size bed na yari sa makinis na kahoy. Halatang malambot rin ang kutson na nakapatong rito. Alun-along ang ruffles ng laylayan ng bedsheet na kulay pink ang kulay. May sariling walk in closet at CR. Halos lahat ng display doon ay kulay pink at pambabae talaga.

“This would have been my sister's room kung nagkataong nagkaroon pa ako ng kapatid. I asked the maids to clean this room for you, Andreana and to your mom. I hope you like it.” Mabait talaga si Melisandre.

“Thank you, Melissandre." Saad ng ina. At ganoon din siya.

Maya maya pa ay niyaya ni Melisandre ang mommy niya. Pati sana siya ngunit nagpaiwan siya dahil nakaramdam siya ng pagod. She remained stunned at the bedroom door. She tries not to shed her tears. She misses Nathan and her daddy so much.

"So what's your real reason?" Napahawak siya sa kaniyang dibdib ng may nagsalita sa kaniyang likuran. Hinarap niya ito. Si Matthew. “Did you go here on purpose?”

"We came here because mom needed big money."Sagot niya. She entered the room. Ramdam niyang nakatitig parin sakanya ang binata. "Nathan needs medication. That's why we're here. So please, don't think about anything."

"Come on, Andreana. I know you can see what I see too. That your mommy and my daddy aren't just friends." Giit nito. Napaupo siya sa malambot na kama at tinitigan ang binata.

"My mommy is married and that's my daddy. They were left in the Philippines. So if you're going to say nonsense, get out." Saad niya. Ayaw niya kasing makarinig ng kung ano tungkol sa napapansin niya rin sa ina. Gusto niyang magbulag bulagan. Nakita niya namang ngumisi ang lalaki.

“Wow! You're just here for the first day, pero feeling rich kid kana? Is that the attitude of ignorant women in the Philippines?” Nanunuyang saad nito.

“Wala kang pakealam,” cold niyang sagot. Ayaw sana niyang makasagutan ang panganay na anak ngunit hindi niya mapigilan ang sarili. “And one thing, kung ano man ang nakikita mo tungkol kay mommy at sa daddy mo, ito lang ang tatandaan mo. My mommy and daddy love each other so mommy doesn't have time for bullshit."

“Okay. I'm not hard to talk to, Andreana,” sagot nitong nakangisi. "Melisandre, I like you a lot. And you are very welcome to them."

“And what about you? Welcome ba kami sayo?” habang tinatanong iyon ay nakatitig siya sa mukha ng binata. He’s really handsome, especially up close. The young man approached her and hugged her waist. Her face seemed to blush because of that.

They were so close that they could almost smell each other's scent.

“What do you think, Andreana?” Mahina pero malambing nitong tugon bago siya binitawan. "See you around, Andreana!"

Lumabas na nga ng pinto ang binata. Naiwan siya doong nakatulala. Hinapit lang naman siya sa bewang ng isang binata! At first time na may humawak sakanya ng ganon at may nakalapit sakanya.

Kumakabog ang dibdib niya. Kaya naman humiga nalang siya sa kama at hinayaang dalawin siya ng antok.