Today's the day about sa usapan naming enrollment. At hindi man halata ay kagabi pa ako nag-cocontemplate kung anong puwede kong kuning course. I don't really have plans about involving my course in my family's business. I don't know where I'm passionate about. The course could be handy when it comes to the future kaya cinoconsider ko kung saan ako pupuwedeng maging successful. Yeah, I know that my family could provide for my needs and make up my future... But I need to learn how to be independent so I'm exercising it right now.

Kaaahon ko pa lang sa built-in swimming pool namin outside the mansion to sip a Cranberry Juice when I heard the chirp of my Gouldian finch and also a gift from me when I was 16-year old, the Electus Parrot.

I pushed back my hair as I took the bathtowel na nakasabit sa lounge chair. Good thing that no one is surrounding me dahil alam nila ang oras ng siyesta ko rito. I heard that my phone was ringing kaya pinunasan ko ang kamay ko at kinuha 'yon. 

"Yes?" I struggled to put my phone in the middle of my shoulders and neck because I was still dripping wet.

[Medyo malapit na ako sa inyo. Susunduin na kita, ah?] It was Clayden who was behind the phone call.

"I have my driver, Clayden." I continuously wipe my whole body habang kausap ko siya. Good thing that he didn't request a video call! 

[Patingin nga ng mukha mo. Kagigising mo pa lang ba?] tanong niya. [Kaya ko namang maghintay riyan mismo]

"No! No!" I panicked. Good god! "I'm naked, stupid!"

[Hoy! W-Wala akong balak! Ito na papatayin ko na! Nasa byahe rin ako]

"What the?! Focus your attention there! You're so uncontrollable." I shouted before ending the call. This guy!

I gazed at my right side, kanina pa pala 'yung helper namin nandito. "Yes? What's your concern?"

"Ma'am, your parents wanted to talk with you regarding the schools you've failed."

I slowly placed my drink back. "Oh is that it?" I was slightly nervous while replying to what our helper mentioned. The half of my expression was... okay... since I was getting used to the words they're throwing at me.

Before I went down to my room, I wondered kung bakit nakabukas 'yung transparent drawer ko full of make-ups. Hindi ko na 'yon pinansin at baka I forgot it lang na I opened it earlier. After putting a light make up ay nagsuot na rin ako ng proper wear to go out. When I finally showed up, nakita ko na si Mom sa living room, seating on the couch while browsing on her phone.

"Where's dad?" I interrogated her after I declined to our helper who just offered me a drink.

"Meeting with the business partners," she simply mentioned. "Fiorella, you may seat."

I crossed my legs after my Mom instructed me. 

"What happened to you?" she questioned right away. Her disappointment was visible on her face. "You're not doing enough... to qualify for all the Top 4 universities, Fiorella! That's not my daughter, that's not an Aguilar! You can do better!"

It is really hard to become a Fiorella Estelle Aguilar, huh? 

"Mom..." I sighed.

"You shouldn't call me mom. I'm really disappointed with you, Fiorella!" She held her chest. "I don't know what your Father's reaction will be."

I fixed my sit as I lowered my face. Hearing those words... for hundreds... thousands each day made me already numb. But those phrases never failed me to break my feelings. Is that how your child is supposed to be treated? Is that... even normal? Are every parent should treat their child like that? Why when I was visiting Clayden, his mama and papa treated them well ... even me was treated by them well?

"What's happening with you and your little brother?!" She went mad now, covering her face with a hand. "I caught him... painting his face with makeups!"

Hindi ko alam kung bakit ako napatayo. "Fremont isn't just a little brother. My brother has a name, Mom!"

"Then you both do better so I could call you two in birth names. I gave that to you so I have the right to call you that or no!"

I saw my phone vibrate, sunod-sunod pa. I had no choice so I had time to check it out. 

Clayden

: Nandito na ako sa labas ng gate ninyo. 

: Ayaw ako papasukin ni Kuyang Guard! 

: Bago ba 'to o hindi niya lang nakilala gwapo kong mukha?

: Huy! Di ata ako kilala! Pinapaalis kami ni Yoda!

Pinasok ko na 'yung phone ko sa pants after I check those messages out. He was pointing to his new motorcycle, I named it Yoda that made me chuckle. He said to me last night that it was his graduation present came from his parents.

I didn't have time to listen to my mom. Not being rude to her but I just want to remove the bad vibes this morning. "I got to go, Mom. I'll enroll in the university I want."

Before I went outside, I caught a glimpse of Fremont, who was averting his gaze. He does not deserve to witness this. I don't want him to overhear our mom shouting abuse at me... It's just that I don't want him to go through the agony of thinking about what your parents said to you every night.

I'm earlier with the said time because I don't like applying Filipino time. I just wore something casual for the enrollment. Nabalitaan ko na rin kasing nakapasa ako sa entrance exam ng 2 out of 4 schools. Unlike him, 3 out of 4. I didn't even say about that 

"Perfect!" I smiled at the mirror and even put a hand on my waist. Kinuha ko ang sling bag at lumabas ng kuwarto. 

I went directly outside when I saw Clayden's sport touring black motorcycle parked outside of our gate. He will drive for me today. Compare to me, I rarely use our family's driver. It's the only freedom I had since I'm an only legal child. I'm such a brat spoiled to be exact. But I don't care. 

Habang naglalakad ako papalapit sa motorsiklo ni Clayden ay nakita ko siyang nakangisi. Napansin kong nakasabit ang camera niya sa kaniyang leeg. He holds it, preparing for a shot. I pose to it. I know I'm not a pro but at least I could smile perfectly. 

"Ang ganda-ganda naman ng ngiti mo!" He said while looking at the photos he just captured now. He gave me his spent helmet. Before I wear it ay tinaasan ko muna siya ng kilay. 

I wore the helmet. "Let me see," I plainly demanded. I just want to see what are the things I could improve. Habang tinitingnan ko 'yun ay pinapat niya ang aking ulo atsaka sinuot niya nang tuluyan ang helmet sa ulo ko.

He examined my face kaya I held down my head lower so he couldn't see it more. "Can you send this to me?" I immediately mentioned it so he couldn't look at my face anymore.

I was shocked when he held my chin up. "Huy! Anong meron? What's on your mind?"

"I thought my mom would be proud of my college results. It's like... I did my best, but my best wasn't still enough for her. And right now, I have doubts that I guess it wasn't good enough for them to be proud."

He now held my face with both of his hands. Hindi naman na dumapo 'yung kamay niya dahil naka-helmet na ako. "Gagsti! The best ka na kaya! Nakita ko kung gaano mo kagusto maipasa kahit isang entrance exam! Proud ako sa'yo, Estelle!"

"Do you think that I did my all?" I ensure to remove my doubt inside of my head.

"Oo naman! Walang halong biro!" He gave me a comfort smile.  "'Di bale, after lang natin makapag-enroll, pupunta tayo sa safe place mo. 'Wag ka na sad!" 

I pouted as he carefully heads patted me. "A'ght!"

Before we go, pinakilala ko si Clayden sa guard. Meanwhile, Clayden even introduced Yoda to him! At least now they know each other.

"Uhm! Excuse me mga sirs and ma'ams! Makikiraan lang kami!" Nandito na kami ngayon sa first school. Actually hindi na kami pumunta ng St. Gabriel University (SGU) kahit nakapasa si Clayden doon while me didn't because ayaw na raw niya magsayang ng oras. He knows that we won't be in the same school so he removed that to his bucketlist. We're both now at Amora University (AU). Gladly, we both passed here! Habang ang Centre De Balanza Learning Institution (CDBL) and New Haven University (NHU) would be announced through online. Sakto naman because later on ay it will be posted on Internet kaya sabay namin makikita kung nakapasa kami.

We both agreed to go to AU kung sakaling we didn't pass both CDBL and NHU. I ensured him that he would be accepted fully enough even though we're passed sa entrance examination. He said that he would prioritize the Film course. Hence, I still don't have the course I wanted to get.

He looked behind where am I. He put me here kasi nga there's so much people at ayaw niya raw may makabangga sa akin. "Mainit ba?" He asked, worriedly.

"No! Fine lang," I replied habang ginagamit ang upper shirt ko as a fan.

"Anong hindi? Tagatak ka na ng pawis, oh!" He wiped my sweat using his own handkerchief. It was like the scenery stopped as the wind was blowing his hair. Him, being thoughtful ever since we were a child was still evident. "Sa'yo muna 'yang panyo. Kahit ibalik mo na lang mamaya."

When I fold it his black handkerchief, I gazed at his initials embedded doon. It was CN with a moon beside it. 

Just after we enrolled, hoping for the best, sadly the slots of Film were already full. 

"Anduga! Maaga naman tayong pumunta, ah! Binayaran 'to!" He pouted and even mentioned those in a childish way. 

"Aside from Film, what else do you want?" I asked, eagerly. Disregarding all my hope to be a student at Amora University since he didn't want there also.

"Wala na. Film lang gusto ko. Film ang pangarap ko. Feeling ko kasi roon ako yayaman." I think he forgot that I didn't talk to the registrar. "Uy! Ikaw pala? Ayaw mo na rin dito 'no?" 

"No, dummy!" I raised a brow. I mean, he's not wrong!

"Ano ba kukunin mo? Malay mo available pa pala!"

"Undecided," I immediately responded. 

"Gusto mo bang maglakad-lakad muna rito? Alam mo na, para makapag-isip-isip ka rin. Sigurado naman na may natitipuhan ka na," he delightfully stated. As he mentioned, he both went outside para na rin magpalamig. I was really thinking deeply kung nababagay... at least, for me. A course that would be my fate. A course that may destroy my dignity and hope. And a course that could build my epitome. 

When I whispered to him na nakapili na ako, he replied that we should welcome our results sa Cafe na pinupuntahan namin since bata pa kami. We're called as a 'suki' since halos kilala na rin kami ng staff.

Pababa na kami ng motorcycle niyang si Yoda and I gave back his helmet. When he was already fixed it, he whispered my name, and I slowly turned my head back to him. He captured a shot.

"Hey! You should be counting numbers, Nyt!" 

"Nyt?!" When I'm calling him Nyt, I know he's already in danger. "Saglit, ito na! I-dedelete na po!" 

"Wait, allow me to see what you captured." When I saw it, it really amazes me. My hair was flying, my serious face was caught... it was... awesome! "No need to delete it. Let's go inside na."

"So ano, hindi ka galit 'no?" While walking beside me, he hung back his camera onto his neck.

"I'm not." Matipid kong answer while I'm looking at the menu, maybe may bago that could be experimentally tasted.

"Sige nga. Kung totoo, ilibre mo 'ko no'ng--" I cut him off when I already know what he was going to order.

"Cold Brew Coffee with Milk, Venti size. Plus Cinnamon Raising Bagel, 2 pieces," I smiled sparingly.

Napatahimik siya and even soft chuckled when I literally know his menu. I was busy reaching for my wallet, not knowing that ako na pala 'yung tinawatag ng Barista. 

"Iced Black Tea Lemonade... Grande size, Ma'am. Tapos... uhm... Eggs & Gouda Protein Box. Meron naman kayo no'n, right?"

"Yes, sir!"

I was shocked when he knows what drink I'm gonna order. Nagulat ako when he ordered me a different protein box! 

"Kumain ka ng itlog. May protina kasi 'yon. Huwag ka muna sa doughnuts, doughnuts. 'Di ka mabubusog doon." Bulong niya sa akin. Now I know why he ordered those.

"Okay, sir! I'll be calling your name once your orders are ready." The familiar guy emphasized. When I looked at his name tag, I saw his name, Blade. "Anyways, you both look nice together! I mean... grabe! Ilang beses na kayo pumupunta rito, hindi pa rin matutumbasan aroma ninyo. Just like a sugar and a bitter coffee perfect combination." He shyly exclaimed. "Who is he, Ma'am Fiorella?"

I raised a brow. Is he new here? Where's the girl barista... I think her name is Cristel. 

"Nice to meet you, Kuya Blade! I think I just met you recently." I smiled. I held Clayden's hand. "On the other hand, just a friend... A childhood friend, to be exact."

"I see." Barista Blade slowly nods his head repeatedly. "You may now have your seat, Sir and Ma'am!"

A bolt from the blue and I felt a different vibe coming from Clayden when we both sit. Magkaharapan pa kami so I could see his strange expression. "Childhood friend... childhood friend," he murmured.

"Huh?" I questioned him once more. Is it bad? Did I use the wrong term on what we have?

"Eh ba't kasi childhood friend sinabi mo roon?" He pouted like a pup holding a camera. 

I lifted a brow, wondering what should I supposed to say. "If not a childhood friend, what should it be then, Clay?"

"Kahit ano..." he playfully thought. "Basta huwag lang... kaibigan."

"Why does it matter to you though?" I bit my finger a little to stop the urge to laugh.

"Kasi nasasaktan ako, ayos na ba 'yon?" He looked at me in the eye, capturing it. I could see and feel affliction and brew of treachery.  

Suddenly the Barista called our name, avoiding the tension between us. When the opportunity of escape happened, he now forestalled his stare to mine, initiating to take my order with him.

When he finally walked away I whispered, "You're so puzzling."

After he came back, his facial expression changed. Parang walang nangyari. It was like someone talked to him... caressed him that made me confused.

"What happened?" I directly asked. Nilapag niya 'yung tray and nilapag 'yung order ko.

"Wala..." Ngumiti siya. "'Yung sinabi ko pala kanina, huwag mo na lang alalahanin. Siguro napuno lang ako ng stress kasi puno na 'yung Film sa university kanina. Sorry, Estelle!" He patted my hair and even opened my Protein Box. "Kain ka na."

Habang kumakain kami, I saw Clayden's lips formed an exciting smile. I think something's up kaya napatanong ako kaagad. "What's the sudden news?" 

"D-Dumating na 'yung email! Wait, titingan ko lang sa site mismo. Baka fakenews 'to! Gagi! Ito na!" He was constantly smiling. He even cursed at me but I didn't mind that. He was too happy that he received the news. "Ikaw, tingnan mo na rin 'yung sa'yo... Alam mo na, ah! Kung saan ka, roon na rin ako!"

But he thought that would happen. The site began to crash due to the information traffic. Siguro there's so much people na nag-abang to the point na... hindi ko na nakita 'yung results ko. My only hope, for now, was NHU. It was only Clayden who saw his own result. And yes, he passed to CDBL.

"Ba't kasi na-reload!" He held his head, furiously mad. "Palapit na ako ng surname mo, eh!"

"Hey, be easy! It's just a result! It would be fixed later. Let's hope for it!" I bit smiled. I was really planning for something but it's just... it was hard to step up to the light. How should I confront him?

Minutes from reloading the site and assuring that everything will be okay, that everything will be in the plan, he breaks the silence. "So hindi natin tutuparin 'yung pangarap nating magkasama?" Malungkot niyang tanong. I was really sad but I think may mas maganda pang mangyayari if we would separate when it comes to studying. 

"Why are you down, Clay?" I asked, softly. "We could study together but just not in school though. We could always come here to Cafe, you know that this is my safe place, right? We could do anything together naman!"

"Hindi mo ako iiwanan?"

"I won't, of course." 

After a few beats of silence, Clayden spoke up again. "Promise?"

I let out my pinky finger, still smiling. "Give me your pinky finger."

He gulps and brought it to me. "B-Bakit?"

"Let's swear to one another that we won't forget each other, that we won't leave everything no matter what, okay?" I asked keenly to him... to my childhood consort. With the aroma of the Cafe filling the air, we promised not to break it. After all, it is the beginning of everything. The dawn of each other's preeminence.

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