01

[Chapter 1]

"Oh, hi Alva! Want some help?"

"Oh, uh, hindi na kaya ko na 'to," I answered.

"Good luck with that! Be careful!" my schoolmate said as she smiles.

Napangiti na lang din ako sa sinabi niya, may kabigatan din ang box na ito, kaya patigil-tigil ako sa paglalakad para ayusin.

"Good day, Alva! Woah, kailangan mo ba ng tulong?" another schoolmate appeared.

"No, I can handle this," pagsisigurado ko, at ngumiti sa kaniya, ngumiti na lang din siya pabalik at sinabihan ako na mag-ingat.

Actually, my friends usually called me by my nickname, but, when I entered the University, sabi nila na mahaba raw masyado ang Alora Valine, so, ako na ang nag-suggest na tawaging Alva, even though they are not my friend literally. Sa tagal ko rito, parang nagiging komportable na rin ako kapag tinatawag nila akong ganoon.

Noon, sa unang pasok ko ay kaagad nilang nalalaman kung sino ang mga magulang ko, dahil sa middle name ko, Torres. It was my mother's maiden name, and my father's surname is Villareal, automatic na nalalaman nila ang pamilya ko.

"Siya ba ang anak ni Shanaia Torres? Yung sikat na personality?"

"May celebrity pala rito,"

"She's pretty though, but without glasses I guess,"

Napapabuntong-hininga na lang ako, well, kung noong highschool, ay ayaw kong mababanggit na anak ako ng isang sikat na personality, but now, I don't mind, isipin nila kung ano ang iisipin nila. Hindi ko na rin iniisip sila Mommy at Daddy, uuwi sila sa bahay, saglit lang, minsan, nagpapakita lang kay Lia at aalis na ulit. Para kaming mga pasyente sa hospital, pero, after all, I always think about Lia.

Habang nandiyan si Lia, mas pipiliin ko pa ring mabuhay sa ganitong sitwasyon, dahil siya lang ang taong naramdaman ko ang pagkakaroon ng isang pamilya, katulad din nila ate Arianne at Manang Kristy. Lia was still lucky, the reason that she already saw our parents faces, pero hindi niya nakakasama, all of those years have passed, hindi man lang sila nagkaroon ng oras para kay Lia.

Napabuntong-hininga na lang ako, at nagpatuloy sa paglalakad.

I saw the wall were the achievements of the school was displayed. Big glass cases, the trophies were filed up depends on the year. I still remember how me, Joaquin and Harison passed the examination here in Richwell University. The three of us decided to study here, Nathan and Mariella was in another school, kasama nila si Jennifer, but Ashlyn? She chose to study abroad, because of his father. I laughed a bit when a sudden memory appeared on my mind.

We were just hanging out in the library, may quiz kami mamaya sa Social Studies, kasama ko si Joaquin at Harison. I'm browsing my notes when a paper airplane appeared infront of me. Tumingin ako kay Joaquin, nagpatay malisya lang siya.

"Magrereview ka ba o maglalaro?" I asked, at ibinalik sa kaniya ang papel.

"Woah, easy, nagrereview ako,"

"Sa ginagawa mong 'yan parang hindi," bwelta ko pa at inayos ang salamin ko.

"Ang cute mo talaga," he said, at pinisil ang pisngi ko, dahilan lang para mahampas ko ng marahan ang kamay niya.

"Stop it, sabihin PDA tayo, e' wala namang tayo," sagot ko para lang mamula ang pisngi ko sa hiya. Nasabi ko na naman ang word na 'tayo'. He stared at me after that, and then I realized, I was staring at him, too.

"Gusto mo ba, totohanin natin?" ani niya para lang mapatitig ako kay Harison na nakataas na ang kilay ngayon. Woah, hindi ko inexpect iyon, that was fast.

"May girlfriend ka 'di ba?"

Tumitig ako kay Joaquin, he's beautiful brown eyes was sparkling because the light, he smiled minimally.

"U-uh, how about, we should review for the entrance exam? My father will hired some tutor, want to come over tomorrow?" Harison said, at pinandilatan ako ng mata.

"G-great!" sagot ko at mabilis na inalis ang tingin kay Joaquin.

"G!" sagot naman ni Joaquin at tumawa.

Siningkitan lang ako ni Harison ng mata, kaya napataas na lang ang kilay ko.

That day came, magkasama kami ni Joaquin na pumunta sa bahay nila Harison, parang palasyo ang bahay nila sa totoo lang. Kahit matagal na kaming magkaibigan, hindi pa rin ako makaget-over sa bahay nila.

As we enter, maraming maids and butlers ang pakalat-kalat sa bahay, there were some butlers who is cleaning that big sparkly chandelier, oh dear, it must be difficult for them, ang taas-taas. Nagulat ako ng biglang inilingkis ni Joaquin ang braso niya sa braso ko.

"Nasaan na ba si Harison?" he asked, kaya napatingin na lang din ako sa napakalaking staircase nila.

"Welcome! My dear furry friends!" sigaw bigla ni Harison galing likod.

"Bakit ka ba nanggugulat? Aswang ka ba?" biro ni Joaquin para lang hampasin siya ni Harison sa braso.

"Bitch, kung magiging elemento lang din naman ako, sana diwata na lang," biro ni Harison pabalik.

"Furry friends? Aso ba kami?" I said.

"No, you're too beautiful to be a dog," sagot ni Harison at naglakad ng maarte sa harapan namin.

"And?"

"Mas maganda kung Mink ka,"

"You're a meany!" tawa ko sa kaniya.

"Bakit? Maganda naman ang mga Minks ah!" tawa rin ni Harison, para lang matawa kaming lahat.

Tumingin siya sa akin at tumitig sa brasong nakalingkis sa akin, nagkibit-balikat lang ako sa kaniya para lang pagsingkitan niya ako ng mata.

We headed down to their balcony, where you can see the whole land that belongs to them. It's so relaxing seeing such a scenery like this, those trees, flowers, and there's even a pond, like in Joaquin's place, but much bigger. Para kang nasa isang Europian land, parang pagmamay-ari ng mga royal family.

"So guys, this is miss Frette Alcober, siya ang magiging tutor natin," Harison said.

Binati naman namin ang magiging tutor namin, nagset-up din sila ng magandang table at mga upuan, the fancy ones. They even offered some coffee and biscuits, napakapormal naman ng mga tao rito. Bakit hindi kaya nila kayang gawin na simple lang?

"Thank you," I said as I ate one of those biscuits, sumunod din si Joaquin at tumikim ng pagkain, isang kainan lang niya para matawa ako.

"So, let's start, I know that you will be taking the exam in Richwell University, I hope that you will learn a lot from me," she said as she smiles, her bob cut brown hair was swaying with the wind, she's so pretty.

Nagulat ako ng biglang isandal ni Joaquin ang ulo niya sa balikat ko, napatigil si miss Frette dahil nakita niya, at si Harison naman ay napanganga lang.

"Uh, are you—"

"No, miss, we're just friends, hehe," I smiled akwardly. Ambilis kong sumagot, kahit totoo naman kaming magkaibigan.

She just smiled, and I feel numb dahil inilingkis pa niya ang braso niya sa braso ko habang nakikinig siya, para naman akong may alagang bata nito sa ginagawa niya. Harison mouthed 'what the hell?' sumagot lang din ako ng 'i don't know' sa kaniya, totoo naman, hindi ko alam kung ano ang gumagana sa utak ni Joaquin ngayon.

We just study about the things that will come out in the exam, ilang araw din kaming ganito, at ganito pa rin ang behaviour ni Joaquin pagdating sa akin. Ilang araw na rin akong sinasabihan ni Harison tungkol dito, pero wala naman akong ginagawang masama, or giving him some signals that I like him,too, no. I love every inch of him.

Exam day came, and all of us are kind of scared because of the questions that will come out, but, I always said to us three that we can do this, walang imposible sa mga bagay na alam mong makakaya mo. So we take the exam, after that, we go back to our houses, the proctor said that in one week or two, the results will finally come out. I waited for the day, and everyday, I always think, what if I failed it? Saan na ako papasok ngayon? That is my dream school. I often get nervous when the word 'result' came out from the mouths of my classmates. Para akong pinagpapawisan ng malamig, lagi akong nagsasabi kay Harison na, paano kung hindi ko naipasa yung exam? He always answered that I will pass it, no matter what it takes.

And there you have it, I was taking Business Ad, Joaquin's Engineering, and Harison's taking the course involving of being a fashion designer, he really loves clothes actually. I smiled when I remembered Joaquin's clingy atittude towards me, I feel like I was the one who trusted him the most. Napapangiti na lang ako bigla kapag pumapasok sa isip ko ang mga pangyayaring ganoon.

I peeked at my wristwatch, oh my God! It's already 11:35! I'm late for my clubmates lunch! Mabilis akong naglakad papunta sa second floor ng building, at sakto, hindi pa naman nila ako hinihintay sa labas, ibinaba ko muna ang box at inayos ang sarili ko, I hope hindi sila magalit!

"Lunch is ready!" I said as I entered the room, where my clubmates stays.

"Woah, chibugan na!" sigaw ni Nico, he's Joaquin's friend.

"Kapal mo Nico, nagbayad ka ba? Hindi ka naman yata kasama sa listahan e'!" And that girl is Camille, my new friend here.

"Tama na 'yan mga batang hamog, ayusin niyo na muna ang lamesa at sabay-sabay na tayong kumain," Sir Boston said, siya ang adviser namin sa Photography Club.

Ibinaba ko ang box sa lamesa, Sir Boston even thanked me for fetching our food in the cafeteria, they arranged the seats, at pinunasan pa rin talaga nila ang lamesa, we laughed when Nico spilled too much water on the table, it was dry back then, but now, here is Camille, acting like she is the mother of Nico.

"Ayan ang bobo naman," Camille said.

"Wow ha, nahiya naman ako sa braids mo," biro pa ni Nico para lang mahagisan siya ng basahan sa mukha.

"Eww, sayang skincare ko!"

"Skincare mo ulo mo! Sabunin mo muna atittude mo bago ka mag-ganiyan!" ani pa ni Camille at napaupo na.

Ice distribute the meals, and I gave them some cups for the water later, I sat down beside Camille, biglang nag-iba ang timpla ng mukha niya ng biglang humarap sa akin.

"Dapat sinama mo 'ko, para may katulong ka sa pagbubuhat," she said, para lang mapangiti ako.

"It's okay," sagot ko, I can see Jennifer on her, oh, I miss her already.

Nagpray muna kami bago kumain, at narinig ko na namang nagsalita ang japanese naming kasama dito sa club, pero tagalog ang sinabi niya.

"Salamat sa pagkain!" he said, para lang matawa ang iba naming kasama.

"Oh? Akala ko ba japanese ka?" ani naman ni Sir Boston.

"Matagal na ako dito sa Pinas, Sir, normal lang na magtagalog ako," bwelta niya at kumain na.

"Masaki-san, mag-intsik ka nga," biro naman ni Francis na katabi lang niya.

"Pass, pinagtritripan niyo ako e'," tawa naman ni Masaki sa amin.

Sinabi ni Sir Boston kung bakit wala kaming picture noong nakaraang program, we even check some SD cards, at sa kasamaang palad, naipalit pala ni Masaki sa ibang kasamahan namin, at hindi na namin alam kung nasaan na ang SD card dahil halos lahat ng tao rito, ay makakalimutin sa totoo lang. Usually, every events, may picture talaga ang grupo namin, pero dahil kay Masaki, mukhang nakamiss-out kami ng isang event. Buti wala gaanong files ang nakalagay doon, kaya okay lang kay Sir Boston.

Napakamot na lang sa ulo si Masaki, mas lalo pang sumingkit ang mata niya noong ngumiti siya.

"Masaki Hada, ay baliktad, Hada Masaki, napakagaling mo," biro ni Francis at tumawa ng malakas.

"Mga siraulo," bulong ni Camille para lang matawa ako ng marahan.

"Kapag sa'yo ipinaubaya, ingatan mo, burara kasi e'," biro naman ni Ice sa kaniya.

"Humugot na naman," ani naman ni Nico at nagsimula ng kumain.

"Broken sheet of paper na naman siguro 'to, 'no? Alva?" tanong ni Camille sa akin para matawa ako ng marahan.

"Siguro, pero, mukhang hindi naman, mas blooming pa nga si Ice kesa sa'yo e'," biro ko pabalik para mapanguso siya.

We are only the girls in this club, seven all in all. All of us are photographers, except for Ice and Heaven, they are the ones who edit some pictures before it releases in the school page. I joined this club the reason that, memories cannot be captured by your heart and mind, but with cameras, which you can keep for a long time. They are also the one who boost my confidence towards the other people, I was shy actually, so that's why I was thankful to them for helping me out of my comfort zone.

Nagtatawanan lang sila hanggang sa magsalita si Sir Boston.

"That's enough, mga grade 1," paalala niya sa amin at natawa ng marahan.

"Alam niyo naman, na, may tune-up na magaganap sa ating eskwelahan, 'di ba?" bigla kaming natahimik noong nasabi niya iyon.

"I will assigned someone, who will do the honor, capturing moments like that, oh, actually, gusto ko dalawa para may ibang pictures sa ibang anggulo at ibang grupo," ani pa niya at tumayo sa kinauupuan niya.

"Alora, I will assigned you para sa mga players natin, this will be your debut for being one of us, and Nico, you are the one who will be the photographer of the other school, is it clear?"

I stared for a moment to Sir Boston, first time ko lang na maging photographer, halos lahat sila dito ay mga bihasa na. Ako lang ang bagong kasama nila dito, kaya malaking pasasalamat ko ito, dahil sa unang pagkakataon, magiging isang ganap na photographer na ako!

Tinuturuan pa ako ni Camille dahil isa akong freshman sa kanila, o minsan, rookie ang tawag sa akin. I just joined this team when I am in second year, it was a required year where you can chose what club will you join. I trained for a year to become one of them and it was all paid off! I smiled at our Adviser, I thanked him for giving me this kind of oppurtunity, they clapped, at natawa ako ng bigla pang sumipol si Masaki.

"Galingan mo ha! 'Wag mong iwawala 'yong SD card mo, at 'wag na 'wag kang makikipagpalit!" paalala ni Masaki para lang matawa kaming lahat ng tuluyan.

"Nice work, Alva!" ani naman ni Nico at nakipaghigh-five pa.

"Thank you po!" I said as I smiled.

"I picked you, because of your hardwork and determination, dahil sa paga-apprentice mo sa iba nating kagrupo, and I can see that you loved photography, congratulations dear," Sir boston said, and even clapped his hands.

I smiled, I was greatful for this day, I should talk about it to Joaquin, he will be happy about it.

I was walking down the stairs, our meeting ended, and it was time for our short break after the lunchbreak, napadaan ako sa food court, I decided to give Joaquin some energy drink, dahil dadaanan ko muna siya bago ako pumasok sa klase ko.

Mabilis akong naglalakad papunta ng gymnasium, dito sila madalas magtraining kasama ang cheering squad ng school. When I finally entered the gymnasium, I saw him dribbling the ball and he was like commanding some of his teammates, I saw Asher too, he waved at me so I waved back.

Tinawag niya ang pangalan ni Joaquin, tinuro ako at ngumiti siya sa akin bigla. Binigay niya muna ang bola sa kasama niya at nagpaalam. Kumaway ako sa kaniya habang papalapit siya, his hair was bouncing, ang gwapo niya talagang tignan kapag gumaganiyan ang buhok niya. He is getting more matured when we entered the college life.

"What's up, Alva? Is there any problem?" tanong kaagad niya, mabilis naman akong umiling.

"Uh, none, I was just here to give you this," ani ko at iniabot sa kaniya ang energy drink, kinuha niya naman ito.

"If there's any problem, I'm one call away," pagsisigurado niya at kumindat pa.

"Hey, stop that, hindi mo ako babae, bestfriend mo 'ko," saad ko at napaupo sa bench, narinig ko naman siyang tumawa.

"Oh, sorry, akala ko gagana sa'yo e',"

"Yuck, I'm not that kind of girl, bakit? May miracle work ba 'yang mata mo?" pagproprotesta ko, napairap na lang ako sa ere.

"So, kung wala kang problema, why are you here? Papasok ka pa sa klase—"

"I got assigned to be your photographer on this coming tuned-up with the Westwood," I said, napakagat ako sa ibabang labi ko dahil nakatitig lang siya sa akin ngayon.

"U-uh, I don't know, what to say, congratulations Alva!" he said as he hugged me fast.

Napayakap na lang din ako bigla dahil sa ginawa niya habang natatawa. Kumalas siya at tinitigan ako sa mga mata, napaiwas na lang ako bigla ng maramdaman kong nakakahiya na pala, dahil ilang segundo rin ang lumipas na ganito ang pwesto namin.

"I-i'm sorry,"

"Yeah, it's fine," I said at humawak sa bag ko.

"Congratulations again, Alva, you know what, you are great at leaving your comfort zone, your being socialize these days," he said at ininom pa ulit ang energy drink.

Joaquin was the one who always taught me about being friendly, or to socialize with other people, I was an introvert when we are in highschool, but an introvert with real, and kind of long friendships. Pihikan ako sa kaibigan, at lagi kong iniisip na enough na ito, kahit mayroon pang word na 'best'. I'm still trying to be with other people, noon, nahihirapan ako, pero ngayon, I always smiled at other people, and even talked to them.

And my role? I teach Joaquin to be his own self. He's bubbly, and a happy person, he always displays this grumpy picture back then, but, when we are finally friends, he always smiles, Asher always pick him but in a good way, same with Harison. Kami ang naging magkakaibigan noong pumasok kami sa kolehiyo, all of us changed our own self, being comfortable in who we are.

Sandali kaming natahimik pareho, at magsasalita sana ako ng bigla siyang magsalita.

"I'm proud of you," he said.

Napatulala lang ako sa kaniya, he even tap my head na parang mas nakababata niya akong kapatid. He even laughed when I told him to stop what was he doing, baka mapagkamalan kami rito.

"Take good pictures of me, okay?" sabi niya at flinex pa ang mga muscle niya, para siyang isang greek statue.

"Parang binabayaran mo ako ha," saad ko at natawa.

"Joaquin! Tawag ka ni coach," sabi bigla ni Asher ng makalapit siya.

"Hi Alva!"

"Oh, hey!" I waved at him again.

Nagpaalam na sila pareho sa akin, papasok na rin naman ako ng classroom, kaya lumabas na rin ako ng gymnasium, and I saw Harison who delicately walking down the stairs with his groupmates. Napailing na lang ako at napangiti, ang haba-haba na rin ng buhok niya.

"And yes, that perfume? It's so—Alva!" he said, at mabilis na tumakbo para yakapin ako.

"Ladies, kitakits na lang sa next rehearsal," paalam niya sa mga kasamahan niya.

Lahat sila ay nakangiti sa akin bago umalis, some of them had their sportsbag, and some of them have their designers bag. Ang gaganda nila, hindi lang pwedeng ipanglaban sa blue mat, pati na rin sa pageants.

"So, honey, what's the deal here in gymnasium?" ani niya at inilingkis ang braso niya sa braso ko, he even fingercomb his long hair.

"I just visited Joaquin," ani ko at inayos ang salamin ko.

"Oh, how was your rehearsal?" pagdugtong ko at ngumiti sa kaniya.

"It was exhausting! But, it's fun actually, there were some fresh guys that joined us, first years," ani pa niya at natawa.

"Woah, mahilig sa bata ha,"

"Joke lang, 'to naman, I prefer older men, 'yong mga amoy Axe Gold," paliwanag pa niya at ngumiti sa akin habang naglalakad.

"You're heading to your room?" I said, at tumingin sa ibang direksyon.

"Bakit mo na naman binisita si Joaquin?"

I stared at him, panigurado, he will get mad at me, sinasabi niya na hindi ko pwedeng ilayo ang sarili ko, pero ang feelings ko? Kailangan kong kalimutan iyon. Being friends with the one you love doesn't really matter, we start as friends, then, we should end up being friends.

Napabuntong-hininga na lang ako dahil iba na naman ang itsura ni Harison.

"I just, want to give him some energy drink, that's all," ngiti ko ng bahagya sa kaniya.

He gave me this what-else look, napabuntong-hininga na naman ako, at tumigil sa paglalakad.

"Sir Boston assigned me to be the team's photographer this upcoming tune-up, okay? Sinabi ko sa kaniya," pagpapaliwanag ko, pinagkrus lang niya ang mga braso niya.

"And you don't have the guts para sabihin sa akin? I'm your bestfriend, superdupermegaultra bestfriend,"

"You're busy,"

"Darling, pagdating sa'yo, hindi ako busy, okay?" he said as he hold both of my hands.

Sandali kaming natahimik pareho, he even smiled at me and touch my cheeks, nagpakawala rin siya ng malalim na hininga, at nagpatuloy sa paglalakad.

"So, as I said, mas mabuting—"

"Mas mabuting kalimutan ko ang feelings ko sa kaniya, kesa ang sarili ko,  dahil malalaman niyang may nararamdaman ako sa kaniya, kapag lumayo ako, you both start being friends, and you will end up being friends, I know, I know, I do not have the feelings, it's been three years," I lied, I'm so sorry.

"Well, mas maigi ng inilalayo mo ang sarili mo sa bagay na makakasakit kayo, Alora Valine Villareal is a precious gem, your unbreakable," he said and smiled.

"So, sa buong tatlong taon wala ka ng feelings? Is that true?" tanong pa niya para matawa ako.

"Yes, his clingy side was, you know, kasama talaga sa pagkakaibigan namin, walang malisya. I don't deserve this kind of treatment, and if ever a man walks infront of me and confess about his feelings? dude, that's the one love we are talking about," paliwanag ko at natawa.

"You're absolutely right, hindi 'yong bibigyan ka ng mixed signals, that's dumb," tawa rin niya.

"Alva, the four of us are friends, remember? No strings attached to each other, we should have a solid friendship, okay? And honey, do you mind if I'm the one who will know first the things that is happening to you? We friends since kindergarten, and if ever you have problems, I will be on your side no matter what," he smiled, at niyakap ako ng napakahigpit.

"Okay, thank you for everything Harison,"

Narinig namin ang bell, we should go back to our classrooms, nagpaalam na ako kay Harison dahil mauuna ang room niya sa room ko. I'm sorry if I lied about Joaquin, I still loved him. I just don't want to ruined my friendship between Harison, we've been together since kindergarten, I'm sorry if I lied about my feelings. Hindi ko maiwasang mapatulala dahil nakokonsensya ako sa ginagawa ko, I heard the second bell, kaya mabilis akong naglakad papasok ng classroom ko.

I'm sorry.

The school's over, ganito pa rin, kay Harison ako palaging sumasabay sa pagpasok at pag-uwi, our house is not that far from the University, kuya Rudy was still our driver, I always asked kuya Rudy if he has a girlfriend.

"Wala, saka ko na iisipin 'yan," ani niya at natawa.

"Torpe ka kasi," biro ni Harison habang nag-aayos ng gamit niya.

"You know what kuya, we can help you, courting some fine lady, we got your back," I smiled at him.

"Thank you, miss Alva, at hindi ako torpe Harison, pihikan lang talaga ako sa babae," paliwanag ni kuya at natawa.

"Wow, si mister Perfect pihikan sa girls, kaya ka walang jowa e'," Harison said, laughters filled this car.

I can see now ate Arianne at our gate, she was always waiting for me every time I go home after school. When she saw the car, she waved at it.

Tumigil ang kotse sa harapan niya, nagpasalamat na ako kay kuya Rudy at Harison, sinamahan ako ni ate Arianne papasok ng bahay, at nakita kong nandoon pa rin ang kotse. Nakakapagtaka, sa sandaling oras ay umalis na rin sila. Tumingin ako kay ate Arianne, napailing na lang ako bigla.

"May problema ba? Alva?" she said, habang sinasamahan ako sa pagpasok sa bahay.

"Uh, nothing, I'm just tired,"

"Kapag gusto mong kumain, tawagin mo lang ako ha," she said, at tumungo na sa kusina, I saw Manang Kristy, kumaway na lang ako sa kaniya dahil parang pagod na pagod na ako.

Didiretso na sana ako sa kwarto ko, ng makita kong nakabukas ang pinto ng kwarto ni Lia, cartoon sounds was heard from here. Binuksan ko ang pinto at nakita ko siyang nakahiga habang nanonood.

"Ate!" she said, at tumakbo papalapit sa akin para yakapin ako.

"Ate missed you so much!" ani ko at binuhat siya.

"Ate, I scored perfect ten on our quiz today!" sabi niya, ibinaba ko siya para maipakita sa akin ang seatwork niya, it was a perfect ten.

"Good job! Does going to school is fun?"

"Super fun! I make new friends, friendly teachers, and delicious food in the canteen!" she giggled.

Napatawa na lang din ako noong sinabi niya ang ilang pagkain na ang nakain niya sa canteen, she's already in grade 1, ate Arianne was the one who always watched her whenever she attended school, doon din siya nag-aral sa school na pinasukan ko noon.

Ibinalik niya ang gawa niya sa bag niya, napaupo naman ako sa gilid ng higaan niya, at nakinood na rin ng cartoons. Tumabi siya sa akin at isinandal ang ulo niya.

"I wish Mommy and Daddy can see my perfect ten," she said out of the blue.

Napatingin ako sa kaniya bigla, at napatikhim.

"Mommy will see that, I promise, when... See is not busy, anymore," I lied, our parents are always busy.

"Daddy went home before you go home, he just get his stuff and go away again," ani pa niya at hinawakan ang kamay ko.

"Oh, did you greeted him?"

"Yes! He just kiss me on my forehead, and he said, 'love you', and then... Umalis na siya," she said, at napahiga sa higaan niya.

"Daddy loved us, right? Ate?" she asked.

Kanina pa ako nakatulala dahil sa mga sinasabi niya, my Dad cannot make time for her, but I smiled when she said about our father kissing her on the forehead. But still, iginugugol nila ang mga sarili nila sa trabaho, I know, umuuwi sila rito, but they do not make time for us. Naalala ko, nagbakasyon kami, the whole household was there for us two, our parents was not present that time the reason that they always say that they can't make it on time. I feel sad for Lia, the reason that, in her early age, she was neglected by our Parents. Parang hindi nila kami napapansin, at parang wala lang din sa kanila.

Manang Kristy say that she was always talking to our parents by giving us time, but the reason always is about their schedules, especially my Mother. Napahiga na lang din ako sa tabi niya.

"Don't worry Lia, our parents can make time for us, and when that time comes, dapat maging masaya tayo, okay?" I said and hugged her.

Was it possible? Parang imposibleng mangyari, dahil sa mga ginagawa nila ngayon pa lang.

"You think ate? Do they really care about us?"

"They... Do care about us, two," I said, and smiled. Does they really cared about us?

You'ven been living in a world full of lies, I'm sorry Lia.