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Naupo ako sa bleacher. I was still in deep thought about the man. I can't believe I have a cousin like him. He is too far to be my cousin. Well, may lahi nga pala sila mommy ng Brazilian kaya hindi nakakapagtaka. Pero sobra naman siya.. sobra na ang pagiging gwapo niya.

I unconsciously bite my lower lip and swung my feet. Marami na kaya siyang naging girlfriend? Or flings perhaps? Sa itsura niyang iyon, I doubt kung wala man. I'm sure girls flocks over him. From his hazel brown eyes, to his thick lashes and eye brows, to his pointed nose and kissable lips. Which I'm sure marami nang nahalikan.

Napanguso ako, why do I have this heavy feeling just by thinking of it?
I sighed and shook my head. Hindi ko dapat iniisip ang gano'n. Of course he will have a girlfriend or whatsoever. It's none of my business anymore.

I should enjoy the flowers instead. Napangiti ako sa hawak. Mula nang magkamuwang ako, I always adore the green color, the color of nature. And the sunflower. Hindi ko alam but my lips will automatically smile with the sight of these. At lagi ko itong pinipitas kapag may nakikita sa daan. Not minding if mapagalitan ako ng may-ari, sharing is caring kaya.

They should share their blessings, para naman marami pang dumating sa buhay nila. I chuckled.

My parent's always taught me that I should always think of others and share my things. Kasi kung ano daw ang gawin ko sa kanila, they will do the same. Mahina akong napatawa. It's somewhat ridiculous.

Yes, I do the sharing. I think about my peers and do them good. Pero bakit may mga tao pa rin na mapagsamantala? Instead of saying thank you, they will complain and that. Hindi sila nakukuntento sa kung ano ang kaya kong ibigay. They will be angry at me na halos isumpa na ako. Hindi man lang iniisip kung ano ang mararamdaman ko. And I started to doubt what they believed in.

That's indeed the nature of the man.

I smile watching the flower in my hand. Sa simpleng bagay na ito, nagagawa nitong pagaanin ang nararamdaman ko. I took my phone in my pouch when I feel it vibrating.

From: Mommy💛

Where are you honey? Lunch is ready, come here na.

Napanguso ako, hindi pa ako nagugutom. Pero kabastusan naman kung hindi ako sasabay sa kanila. And I should join them before they leave.

"You are in what year Angel?" tita asked. We are now in their dining area.

I smiled at her before slicing the pork. Tito and Daddy were talking about business. "Third year college na po, Business Administration." I politely answered.

Ngumiti siya sa akin bago bumaling sa katabi niyang anak. That I think the second one. "Pareho pala kayo nitong si Dwayne. It's great, para naman may kasama ka." I glanced at Dwayne, so magkaklase pala kami. Hindi ko naman na kailangan ng bodyguard in the first place.

"Oh mabuti naman hipag. My Angel is so picky pa naman to make friends." Si mommy.

I pouted, how can I not be picky when I they aren't even true.

"I'm sure maraming magiging friend si Angel sa University." Dagdag ni tita, hindi nalang ako sumagot.

Tito Emmanuel and Tita Clarries has two son. The one in front of me was Dwayne na laging nakasimangot. Singkit ang kaniyang mata na kapansin pansin talaga. He's also wearing eye glasses, that adds to his appeal. Habang ang isa kong pinsan ay iyong lalaki na nasa garden kanina. And yes, I am right, he was the D they were talking about. His real name is Drake Chua Damascus.

Minsan hindi ko maintindihan ang naiisip ng ibang tao. Maganda naman ang Drake, but they prefer calling him D. He looked so strict, katabi siya ni Dwayne. And I heard he's aiming for becoming an attorney. Hindi ba dapat siya ang nagsusuot ng eye glass? Bakit parang nabaliktad?

I almost choke on my food when his intense gaze bore into me. He didn't say a word and just keep on staring at me. I unconsciously bite my lower lip.

"May kuya Drake pa siya, so wala ka talagang dapat ipag-alala." It was tita again. Nanlaki ang mata ko sa narinig.

"That's why dito ko muna ihahabilin ang anak ko. I know she's in good hands hipag."

"Yes, yes of course! You can always count on us. We are family in the first place."

I saw how Kuya Drake twitched his lip. Good thing, he's now staring at his plate. I don't know pero naiilang ako sa Kuya. Dapat hindi kasi it's true naman na he's my kuya. He is a year older than me. It's alright calling him like that.

The lunch went well. Daddy and tito only talks about business while mommy and tita were about the usual girl stuff. The rest of us were quite, especially my two cousin.

"Mom, Dad, you both take care okay? Don't stress yourself daddy. Bawal na bawal 'yan, and mommy please avoid using too much gadgets. Lalong lalabo ang mata mo niyan." I reminded them.

Nasa labas kami, dahil hinatid lang talaga nila ako. They will go back to Bicol to fix some problems in our business which is the Encinareal Hotel and Resorts. Our main branch was in bicol while there are four in the neighboring place. One in Leyte, Borongan, one in Manila and in here, Tacloban City. Kahit mayroon kaming hotel sa Manila, we are not permanently living there. Pumupunta lang kami for a vacation.

I heard my mother laugh. I rolled my eyes. They are really sakit sa ulo sometimes. Daddy is advised not to get stress and lessen his workload by his doctor. Because of his heart problem, pero hindi naman nakikinig. His reason will always 'walang ibang mamahala sa kompanya natin'.

Like what about the other board members? A company is consisit of CEO, Board of Directors and the Employees so technically, hindi niya dapat pasan ang lahat ng probelma sa kompanya. Couldn't they be trusted?

Habang si Mommy naman, she will always complain about her headaches and eyes. It is natural since she's not getting any younger, but it is also because of her addiction to gadgets. Kaya minsan, tinatago ko ang mga gamit niya. She knows too well as to what are the consequences of using gadgets. Pero hindi rin nakikinig!

See how my parents gave me stress as well?

"No honey, your dad confiscated my phone! I hadn't use it for a while now." rason niya

"You mean to say, for an hour?" I chuckled at my daddy response. Sinamaan siya ng tingin ni mommy.

"Alright, alright. Be safe always. Don't forget to take your med's daddy." He smiled and lightly pat my head.

Tumango siya bago humalik sa pisngi ko. I encircled my hands on his waist. I'll going to miss them for sure.

"Don't worry about us. We'll be okay, I promise." Ngumiti ako sa dibdib niya

"Your daddy is right honey. You make yourself at home. Mag-enjoy ka, explore the province. I'm sure you'll have a great time." Yumakap si mommy sa amin.

I inhaled sharply. This is too hard. Being away with them is too hard for me. I don't remember living without them in the past years. I am not an independent woman. Despite of my age. I am comfortable living in the same roof with them. I am their only daughter, kaya I know this is difficult for them too.

"You bond with your cousins. Surely, you'll get along."

I wiped my tears and face them.

"I will, mom."

They smiled at me, although my mother was teary eyed.

"You go na daddy. Baka mahuli kayo sa flight." Humawak si daddy sa pinto ng kotse. While mom was hesitant to leave my side.

Tumawa ako. "Mommy go na. I'll be fine here." pangungumbinsi ko sa kanila.

"Don't forget to call us okay?"

I nodded. I glanced at my father who's now sitting on the driver sit.

"Dad, drive safely." habilin ko.

He gave me a heart warming smile. Mommy hugged me for the last time and kissed my cheeks.

Nakatingin lang ako sa papalayo nilang sasakyan. Sumisikip ang dibdib ko. Pero wala akong magagawa. They are doing this for my sake, for EHR. Kaya kahit mahirap, kakayanin ko. Mabigat ang hakbang tinungo ko ang garden. Sunflowers, will calm me.

Hindi ko alam kung ilang minuto na akong nakaupo sa bleacher at nakatulala sa bulaklak na hawak ko.
I wanted to cry so bad, pero walang luhang lumalabas. My heart felt heavy.
Gusto ko lang silang makasama. I want them to be by my side forever. But, I know it's impossible. Someday they will leave me. I don't know if I am ready for that. Maybe, this is a way para masanay na ako.

Mapait akong napangiti. I will never be ready for that reality.

"It's okay to cry you know,"

Napatingin ako sa gilid. Nakatayo si Kuya Drake sa kaniyang maangas na paraan. Both of his hands were inside his pockets. He is not looking at me. His gaze were in front.

"I know, but my tears were shy at the moment." I hear him chuckle.

"I didn't know you have that personality." I glanced at his side way body. Bakit ang sexy niya kahit nakatagilid?

"Well, people change you know?" I mocked him.

Napailing siyang tumingin sa gawi ko. His intense gaze meet mine. We are now looking into each other eyes.
While staring at his eyes, I don't know but it shouts longing and an emotion I can't name. Parang ang lungkot ng mga mata niya.

Somehow, his hazel brown eyes mirrored mine at the moment. Ang bulaklak na nasa kamay ko ay marahan kong nilagay sa hita. I played with my fingers, without breaking the eye contact.

"Does feelings change too?"