Chapter 1: SHARING IT

10 YEARS LATER

I was cleaning the backyard filled with leaves falling from our acacia tree when I heard the phone ring inside the living room.

“Hello, may I know who’s calling?” I calmly asked the person calling “I think you are calling the wrong number” I was about to hung the phone when a girl from the other line started to talk -- I mean not just talk, she actually screamed taht almost destroyed my eardrum.

“It’s me Khloe! we’re on our way heading to your home,” Zani exclaimed with excitement. “I’m with my triplets and my husband of course.” she added.

“Oh! That’s a great news Zee, I think I better start cleaning the guest’s room," I mumbled “What’s with the sudden flight Zee?”

“Gosh Khloe! How could you forgot the special day of your best friend?” She miserable muttered “Tell me you’re joking, aren’t you?”

I rolled my eyes and laugh silently trying to fool her as if I really did forgot her special day. Zee never change since our first met, she’s still funny.

“Yes I am young lady, and there’s no need to make a scene. Aren’t you shy acting like a baby in front on your triplets?

"Hahahaha,” I extremely burst into laughter.

“Hey! Just go clean the room. We’ll be there in about 5 minutes.” She palely commanded ending our calls.

It’s been almost 10 years since she visited the Philippines again after their marriage with Kian. That’s also a good thing for me and for my little serene mansion, at least I have someone to talk to. I cut my thoughts when I heard the door bell loudly rung another after another.

“Are you trying to destroy my door bell?” I exclaimed as I opened the door for them. I saw her with a wide smile, staring at me with her husband and children.

“Who are you?” I mused, examining them pretending as if I didn’t know them.

“Shut up you silly woman” Zani snapped and jumped inside giving me the warmest and best hug ever. “I missed you” She whispered.

“I know, you’re just wasting your time stating what’s obvious.” Kian silently laugh but Zee heard it and throw a ferocious gaze at him.

“Yes darling? You seems to be laughing for no reason.” she sharply snorted crossing her arms facing her Husband. Kian and I both laughed.

“Come on, get in little cutie bear." I invited them leaning down a bit to the 3 cutie girls who looks exactly the same.

“We’re not bear, we’re girls." Corrected by the one in the left. I bit my lower lips and turn to Zee.

“She must be the next Khloe among the three.” I widen my eyes.

“Don’t talk casually to the elders Arie okay?” Kian snapped carrying Arie heading upstairs with his two other girl tailing behind him.

I walked to the kitchen with Zani to prefer some foods for her child.

“Seems like you’re alone young lady” said Zani while pouring some milk. “Where’s your husband?”

I slowly look at her then pose like a model.

“Woah, A slow-mo turn.” She praised clapping at me. She’s always my number one supporter in all the things I did back then, and I'm glad that she's still like that until now.

“He’s in Dubai with Dad, they have something to fix there. ” I replied using the spoon as my microphone.

“Oh! I thought he left you.” She look down covering her mouth. I look at her with my tiger looking eyes.

“Did I mention that he loves me more than I love him?” I mumbled blowing my fingernails. We look at each other, mused for a second then burst into laughter like an idiot.

***

“Do you have a baby?” Arie started breaking the silence inside the living room.

“You must be lonely then." She added. I straighten my back and put my plates of chocolate cakes back on the table.

“Alexa, be careful, the cake is all over your face, you’re so careless.” Zani retorted cleaning Alexa’s face with tissue. “She had her own family, they are just in another place doing business, Alexa” Zani explained.

These two kids are really talkative except the other one who’s silently and carefully eating her cake. I like her style, she kinda remind me of my self.

“Hey baby, What’s your name? You seems to be silent since the moment you arrived.

“My name’s Angelica, and yes I'm not really fond of talking a lot. Just like what read on the magazine quotes unquote "If talking is silver, then listening is gold.” She sweetly explained. I was genuinely shocked with what she said. I can't believe that in her young age she can talk formally like that. What a child.

I look at Kian and Zani with disbelief that out of their three babies they got the matured and well mannered daughter.

“Why is that you don’t want to talk?” I ask again hoping for her to share her reason.

“’Cause my grade 4 adviser told me that it is better to listen than to talk, and so I only talk when it is needed” she calmly stated.

I was in a complete state of shock after witnessing what she just said. She’s so young but knows lot of good things and attitude. I should say that she’s way too better than me when I was at her age.

“You’re such a genius. You must have a great average in school?” I jokingly said. Zani wag her head as a signed of disagreement.

"No, I don't. Arie and Alexa are much more good than me." She heavily mumbled. I wasn't really expecting that, maybe one reason why she didn't get better marks is because of her attitude on being timid and talk less.

"That's fine, you don't need to worry about that, I can tutor you if you want" I offered giving her my wide sweet smile.

"Thank you, I would love to be your student." she smiled back. “By the way, do you mind sharing some stories about your family? If it fine with you.” She requested in a soft tone.

“Ye-yes of course! Where do you want me to start?” I ask in excitement.

“From the very beginning.” she walked and sit beside me. Then continue eating her cake while staring at me.

“Okay let’s start from the day where my journey started.” I slowly mumbled.

Everyone moves closer as I said that. Even Kian and Zani seems to be interested too.

"OMG I'm so excited" giggled Zani, graving on to Kian's arm and leaning her head on him.

"Silly woman, you do really still act like an elementary student." I snorted that makes her draw a straight face.

"Come on just start sharing." demanded Zani in her 6 years old-like funny tone. "Come on Genius Queen. "

"Okay, okay! No need to rush madame. " I simply replied. And exhaled deeply before starting.

"It was my last day in Australia before I flew to the Philippines to continue my study as a transferring student in Vanshelleton University," I began.

As I started, everything flashes back into my mind, all the laughs and cries, the flights, the school, the professors and also him.