Thaliah

(Thaliah, Age 14)

Ang ganda talaga ng La Muerte, when I first came here when I was 12, I thought there will be nothing here for me to do. But it seems like I am more inspired to sketch in here.

I pouted, It's another summer vacation, I'm kinda lonely. I went to Trina's house today, her father told me that she's in a vacation with her mother, I'm nag aalala tuloy.

"Bat hindi man lang niya ako na call?"

I sighed.

"Maybe wala lang syang signal to that place na pinuntahan niya, I'll just wait for her call later."

Pagkausap ko sa sarili at nagpasyang maglakad lakad nalang, I haven't libot the whole La Muerte yet, but I know that there  are many Hacienda's here. I giggled then took a photo of the surroundings I will put this on an album when I get back. Ipapakita ko ito kina Rin at Mariya pag dating ko, kung sana lang kasi ay pinayagan silang magbakasyon dito kasama ko, edi may kasama sana ako ngayon.

Mukang masyado akong naaliw sa pag lalakad, nang marealize kong hindi ko na alam kung nasaang parte na ba ako ng La Muerte, I opened my phone, pero wala naman akong signal, mukang wala ring mapagtatanungan sa lugar na ito.

I frowned.

"What should I do? What if there's tyanak, kapre and dwende that will suddenly ambush me?! Omg! I can't be patay yet! I still haven't met Chris Evans in person!"

I pouted, I walked and walked trying to figure out the way home, but it seems like I'm napalayo lang. It's getting darker nadin, I'm hungry and tired, there is also no one around here to ask for help.

Napakamot ulo nalang ako saka nahiga sa damuhan malapit sa puno, I'm tired so I decided to just rest for awhile and abang if there will be tao na dadaan here. I yawned as I titig to the daan, hoping someone will pass by.

When I opened my eyes, i's already completely dark, did I fall asleep? 

My eyes widened seeing a man fighting with five men, he managed to beat them easily, they ended up running away.

"Cool."

I uttered, the man looked at me.

"Magdalene."

He said while staring at me intently, his green eyes met my blue orbs, I gasped realizing it's Kuya Azarel and hugged him tight.

"Kuya! Thank god you came, I got lost!"

I pouted while hugging him.

"I thought, hindi nako makakabalik, gusto ko pa namang tikman yung bukayo na nimemake ni nanay Deliah."

Sambit ko, he's still looking at me seriously, agad akong humiwalay sakaniya.

"Oh right di pala tayo close."

I said.

"You should've taken someone with you, everybody's worried, muntik ka na ngang mapaha----"

I takip my hand on his mouth, kailangan ko pag itaas talaga yung hands ko cause he's tall. Kuya Azarel is 5 years older than me, he's 19 now. Were not that close, he ignores me most of the time even my parents said I am close with him when I was 5.

"Don't sermon me na nga, I know it's my fault, naaliw lang naman ako ,maglibot, later mo nalang ako sermonan."

I pouted, he glared at me, I smiled at him brightly then gave him a peace sign.  He titig at me for some time then messed my hair.

"Let's go home."

He said then held my hand, my eyes widened.

"Omg! First hold hands ko ito Kuya! Ano ba yan! sabi ko si Henry Cavill una kong makakaholding hands eh!"

Reklamo ko, Kuya Azarel glared at me.

"Young lady, you're too you to have a boyfriend."

He said while staring at me blankly, I rolled my eyes on him.

"Well I wish he really is my boyfriend! Plus don't you know Henry Cavill?"

I asked while he's still holding my hand as we walk. His hand is so warm, my hands seems so small compared to his.

"Omg si Superman kaya yon! Ang pogi pogi niya omg! "

I giggled, kumunot naman ang noo niya, I admit, Kuya Azarel is really handsome but he is so masungit, tinanong nga saakin lagi ni Trina kasi nagwagwapuhan daw siya.

"You mean an actor?"

He asked, I smiled widely then nodded my head.

"He's a lot older than you."

He said, I hissed at him.

"Crush lang naman."

Simangot ko, he didn't say anything while I keep being madaldal until we got into the place where he parked his motorbike.

"Awesome!"

I smiled when I saw his motor bike.

"Pwede bang sumakay?! Ayaw ni mommy na pasakayin ako sa ganito pero mukang masaya eh."

I said excitedly.

"May nakikita ka bang ibang sasakyan?"

He said then gave me his spare helmet.

"Sungit you naman, I'm just saying."

I said, his motor bike is also tall and I'm naka miniskirt, I had to really taas my legs to sakay.

"Uhh kuya na---"

He didn't let me finish and hawak my bewang, he easily buhat me to sakay into his motorbike. Then he also sakay na, he glanced at me, I met his gaze and smiled sweetly.

"Hold on tight."

He said, I nodded my head and yakap him from his back, he smells so good, I haven't been this close to him but I don't feel awkward at all.

The wind is touching my face as I look around, it's masaya pala to drive around if gabi na.

We drove for about 15 minutes before we arrived to the plaza, Kuya continued driving, I kalabit naman him.

"Kuya, kuya!"

I called his attention, he lingon naman sakin.

"Can we eat first? I'm hungry na eh."

I said, itinigil niya ang motor saka bumaba at muling binuhat ako para ibaba.

"There's no restaurant around here, Mom said you like dining in restaurants."

He said, nangunot ang noo ko doon.

"Well because, iyon ang mayroon malapit sa school, I can eat anything naman. That stall over there is selling something that smells delicious, I want to eat na po.

I said then held his hand and went to that stall.

Time passed by, The whole vacation I would always just spend my time bothering Kuya Azarel, he's mabait naman pala, medyo masungit lang saka tahimik. But once you get to know him, you'll know how kind and caring he is. 

I also met his two childhood friends Kuya Josiah and Wade, though Kuya Wade is not always around, Kuya Josiah said he is stalking his crush so he's often not around.

Time flew fast and I had to go back to manila again, good thing I nakuha kuya's number. I would always tawag him, asking him random stuffs when he is not busy. I feel like I suddenly had a big brother, a protective one and it feels great.

It's been month, I miss Trina and my Kuyas na, ang tagal naman ng summer vacation, I want to go to La Muerte na!

"Thaliah, your kuya Alpha is here."

Mom said giggling, my eyes widened.

"Omg! Really?!"

I immidiately stood up, mom was about to say something, but tumakbo na me, when I went to the living room, I saw him. I smiled at him brightly then takbo na to him ang hugged him tight.

"Kuya! I miss you!"

I said happily, he smiled at me then patted my head.

"Were still talking Thaliah, mamaya mo na guluhin ang kuya mo."

Natatawang sabi ni Dad, I pouted.

"But I miss him."

I said, he smiled.

"I'll spend my day with you after my meeting with your dad."

He said then winked at me, my eyes widened.

"Promise?! Can we have a joy ride?! Gusto kong gumala!"

I said excitedly, he chuckled.

"Kung papayag sila tito."

He said, I looked at Dad, with pleading eyes, natawa ito roon.

"Fine, fine, alam ko namang hindi mo ako titigilan. I'm fine with it, si Alpha naman itong kasama mo."

He said making me smile happily.

"I'll get ready na!"

(Thaliah, age 15)

Another summer vacation, I'm having so much fun again. Masayang ikinwento ko lahat ng  nangyari saakin sa manila kay Kuya Azarel, even though he's tahimik, he's nakikinig naman. The next day, Trina and I met again at the plaza, I am just so happy to see her again.

"Hala may boyfriend ka na?! Aren't we too young for that? Saka you're dating a 25 year old guy? Isn't he too old for you? baka magalit parents mo?"

I asked, she just tawa to me.

"It's fine, gusto ko lang namang maexperience, saka I like mature guys, hindi naman sila magagalit kung hindi mahuhuli."

She smiled, nahulog iyong pitaka niya kaya yumuko siya para kunin iyon dahilan para makita ko ang dib dib niya.

"Bakit ang daming red spots ng chest mo? Allergy?"

I asked, she immidiately stood up and laughed awkwardly.

"U-uhh.. yes."

She said.

"You shou take meds, ang dami kasi."

I uttered then smiled, she smiled back at me. Sa di naman gaanong far from here, I saw Kuya Azarel, I smiled brightly and held Trina's hand and ran to his direction.

"Hello Kuya!"

I said then hugged him, Kuya patted my head.

"Didn't I tell you to take someone with you when you go out?"

He said, I just smiled sweetly and clung into his arms.

"I'm with Trina naman po, I'll be fine."

I said then looked at Trina who is smiling at Kuya Azarel.

"Kuya si Trina po pala, friend ko."

I introduced, Trina smiled at kuya then tucked her hair behind her ears, Kuya just nodded his head then again looked at me.

"Uuwi na ako, sasabay ka ba? malapit na oras ng lunch."

He said while looking at me.

"Sige po."

I smiled then looked at Trina.

"Mauna na kami Trina ha, I'll visit you again tomorrow."

I waved my hand then sakay na to Kuya's motorbike, bakit nakasimangot bigla yon? kanina lang she's so happy naman.

Nang maghapon naman, As promised kuya took me to our secret place for a picnic, it's the hill I discovered before, finding out it's Kuya Azarel, Josiah and Wade's hideout pala, since then I kept going in here to sketch.

"Kuya, what do you think of my dress today?"

I asked excitedly, he stared at me for a moment.

"It's nice."

He said, napasimangot ako doon.

"It's nice lang? come on, be honest, what do you think nga."

I pouted, nakapangumbaba naman itong nagstare saakin.

"I don't know that much about dresses, but I think you look beautiful in that dress, though it looks quiet peculiar, it still looks great on you."

He said, that made me smile.

"I made this dress Kuya, I'm so happy you like it."

I giggled, he blinked.

"Really?"

He asked, I happily nodded my head.

"That's why it looks weird."

He shrugged, I glared at him, hinampas ko sya sa braso.

"You just said it's beautiful!"

I said, he chuckled.

"It is."

He said then smiled, I pouted then just focused on eating. Kuya Azarel started strumming the guitar as usual. While looking at him, I can't help but feel admiration, he's really kind, talented and he's also hardworking. 

"You know what Kuya?"

I said, he glanced at me.

"You're so far from boys I met, they would just spend their time playing around and drinking even though they are under age. They also bully me, then ended up confessing, I don't understand their logic at all. Why asar and bully a girl just to get her attention then expect she'll like you back? I'm confused."

I said, kumunot ang noo niya roon.

"Nagpapaligaw ka na? You're just 15, Magdalene."

He said, umiling iling ako to him.

"Ofcourse not, I reject them always, I want to focus on my passion. I just don't get their logic into making the girls they like get to pansin them. How do you make a girl to pansin you ba kuya?"

I asked, he shrugged.

"I don't know, sila ang lumalapit saakin."

He said, sinimangutan ko naman siya.

"Ang yabang mo ha."

I said then rolled my eyes on him, he chuckled.

"Gwapo ako eh."

He smirked, I glared at him then smiled.

"Edi gwapo ka lang."

I pouted.

"Anyways, when did you first had a girl friend?"

I asked again.

"18?"

He said, my mouth formed an 'o'

"Kayo parin ba? Why don' you take her here so that I can kilala her?"

I asked, he shook his head on me.

"Nope, we already broke up, I'm usually silent, she couldn't take it anymore."

He shrugged, I ngiwi to that.

"Why did you ligaw her in the first place if you're not gonna make an effort nman to communicate with her?"

I asked, he chuckled.

"Sila ang nanligaw saakin."

He said then pinched my nose, my eyes widened.

"Wow haba  ng hair! Sila talaga? how many na ba?"

I asked.

"Six? They all broke up with me with the same reason."

He shrugged, I nodded my head on that.

"If someone ligaw to me at 18, I think I will consider."

I said then smiled, he glared at me.

"That's still young, focus on your studies first."

He said, I pouted.

"You had a girlfriend at 18."

I said, kinonutan niya ako uli ng forehead.

"I can multitask, unlike you who's easily distracted."

He shrugged, sinimangutan ko lang siya.

"What if I love him?"

I asked, nangiwi siya doon.

"Ipakilala mo saakin, kapag matino, papayag ako."

He shrugged, I frowned.

"Daddy ba kita? I'm sure I can lambing daddy and he will payag na."

I smirked, naningkit ang mata niya doon.

"Kuya mo ako, kailangan mo din g approval ko, malay ko ba kung may hindi gagawing maganda yan."

He hissed, natawa ako doon.

"There's none pa nga, you're galit na, daig mo pa si daddy."

I tawa to him, sinamangutan niya ako.

"But I guess, I'm lucky to have you around."

I said then winked at him, he just hissed, he's masungit talaga.

It's been a week, thinking about it, I think I have a crush on Kuya Azarel, at first I was just thinking that if ever I will have a boyfriend, I want someone like him. Now I just realized I have a crush on him.

I smiled, looking at his serious handsome face, para syang mag ieat ng buhay always.

"I want to eat street food, libre you naman me."

I pleaded before he take me home, napakamot ulo nalang siya.

"Fine."

He hissed.

"Nakakailang sticks ka na ba?"

Kunot noong question niya sakin, I shrugged.

"It's yummy naman kasi, why ba."

I rolled my eyes on him, he chuckled.

"You're cute when you're eating."

He smiled, I felt my cheeks burned, I pouted.

"Kuya naman eh, crush na nga kita, you want pa atang mafall ako sayo."

I rolled my eyes on him, kumunod ang forehead nito saakin.

"What? I just said crush kita."

I shrugged.

"I'm 5 years older than you Thaliah, you should really stop crushing on older men."

He hissed, binelatan ko lang him.

"Crush lang naman, it's not like I'm in love with you, crush is just admiration."

I rolled my eyes on him.

(Thaliah, Age 16)

"Thaliah?"

Someone called my name, my eyes widened then smiled seeing who it is.

"Omg! Leo? You're having  vacation here too?"

I asked, he's my classmate, he's really smart and also athletic.

"Sa Ibanez kami, may binisita lang kami rito sa La Muerte."

He said then smiled, he looks cute, kaya madaming may crush sakaniya sa school.

"Ohh, Why don't you visit Hacienda Juarez? That's where I live right now."

I smiled.

"Next time siguro Thaliah---wait may dahon ka sa buhok."

He said, lumapit naman siya para tanggalin iyon, I smiled at him.

"Thank---"

Someone cleared his throat behind me.

"Kuya, nabili mo na?"

I asked, his face remained serious.

"Kuya Classmate ko, si Leo, Leo si Kuya Azarel."

I introduced them to each other, Leo smiled then offered his hand, kuya just stared at it so I siko him.

"Kuya naman."

I whispered, he just hissed and accepted Leo's hand, Napangiwi pa si Leo, I think Kuya's grip is too tight, I glared at him, sinimangutan lang niya ako.

"A-Ahh mauuna na ako Thaliah, baka hinahanap nako eh.."

He said then smiled at me awkwardly, I smiled at him sweetly.

"Okay, take care."

I said, he then finally left.

"Sino yon manliligaw mo? bawal ka pang magpaligaw."

He hissed, sinimangutan ko lang siya.

"He's just my classmate, you takot him tuloy, crush ko pa naman him."

I pouted.

"Akala ko ba ako ang crush mo?"

Kunot noong ask niya, I looked at him confused.

"Pwede namang magkacrush sa iba kahit may iba kang crush ah, crush lang naman."

I said, he just glared at me.

"Isa lang dapat ang crush mo, payatot naman yon."

He hissed, napataas ang isang kilay ko doon.

"He's cute kaya! Saka why are you so grumpy ba?"

(Thaliah, Age 17)

It's our prom night, Kuya Azarel promised he will go and dance with me, pwede naman daw sabi ng teachers magpapunta ng outsider as long as binigyan ng student ng invitation.

"Sayaw tayo Thaliah."

Leo smiled, I just shook my head on him.

"Masama kasi pakiramdam ko, mamaya nalang."

I smiled at him, Many boys tried to ask me to dance but I refused, I wanted to dance with Kuya Azarel first, but hours passed and he didn't came. Tear escaped from my eyes, I feel frustrated, he promised me he will come!

"Miss hindi ka pa ba uuwi?"

Tanong ng isa sa mga staffs doon, I sighed.

"O-Okay po."

I said then stood up and looked at my phone, he didn't reply or even answered my calls. Sana nothing happened to him, tears continued to fall from my eyes as I walked into the empty hallways.

"Magdalene!"

It's Kuya Azarel's voice, I looked at him and ran, I am so upset!

"Wait! I'm sorry.."

He said while panting, I glared at him.

"You promised me you'll come! But you didn't----you're late Kuya!"

I cried, he sighed then held my chin and wiped my tears.

"I'm sorry, there's an emergency to the company, ginawa ko lahat para makarating."

He said, I hugged him tight.

"I was so worried."

I said then pouted, he leaned closer and kissed my forehead.

"Don't cry Magdalene, I'm here now, you look really beautiful tonight."

He whispered, I bit my lips and met his gaze, it feels somewhat different, his stares feels like it changed, it feels different than before.

"May I have this dance?"

He asked, I bit my lips while my eyes are glued into his.

"W-Well you owe me one."

I said then tanggap na his kamay, he smiled making my heart race. We danced at the empty hallway, while he sings for me making me smile.

"You look more beautiful when you smiles."

He said as we dance, that made me smile.

"Wag mo nga akong bolahin kuya."

I said pretending to be galit.

"You really should stop calling me Kuya, it's annoying."

He hissed, I pouted.

"You're older than me Kuya."

I said, he frowned.

"Just five years older."

He stated, binelatan ko lamang siya.

"It's still old."

I smirked, sumimangot ito saakin.

"Come on, call me Azarel, please?"

He asked, I pouted.

"A-Azarel."

I uttered while looking directly on his eyes. His eyes danced with amusement.

"That's my girl."

He smiled, heck is he always this handsome? I'm not that affected to him before? Why am I feeling like this now?

"Ilibre mo ako pag uwi natin, pambawi mo kasi you're late."

I rolled my eyes on him, he chuckled.

"Yes ma'am"