Chapter 13

THE COLD WINTER blows in my face. It's eleven in the evening and I'm still wide awake. I sigh as I look up in the sky imagining Reign's face to form in the stars.

It's been four years when I stay and study here in Stanford. But I still do think of her. The last time I saw her is when I bid goodbye— more like crying a river of tears. She's still unconscious when I left Philippines to go here in Stanford to study.

Mom and Dad will always told me and remind me that I shouldn't stop reaching my dreams. They even told me that I should encourage to study more so that when the times that Reign will wake up, I have something to be proud of to tell her.

"Not sleepy?" I'm snapped out of my trance when I heard Leandro's voice. I throw him a short glance and saw him holding a can of beer and a chips. I nod my head and heave a sigh.

"I still do miss her, dude," I said. He knows about whom I talking about, he's the only person I can tell everything anyway. Leandro is a trusted friend.

He sigh and took a sip. "You'll be soon graduate from college, and more years to miss her by proceeding to Law school,"

"I'm thinking of the other way,"

"What the hell!" He shouted in horror. "Dude you already spent four years," he pointed out.

I just smiled at him before sighing. I don't have any more updates about Reign now. Mom and Dad told Kuya Lucas and ate Rajah to not tell me tales about what's going on in the Philippines. They'll just let me know everything if I graduate and became one of the Lawyer who top the BAR exam.

Leandro patted my shoulder lightly and went inside the house where we are now. I stay here for more minutes before going inside and go straight to my room. I just take a short shower and went to my bed to sleep.

I just woke up when my phone ring non-stop. I reach out for it and answer it when I saw that it's my Mom's calling.

"Hijo, good morning," Mom greeted from the other line.

"Good morning too Mom. What's up?" I answered and yawned. Mom probably hear it that make her laugh softly.

"Aww, my baby, tired?"

"I miss her, Mom," I answered honestly and sigh. "But I don't want to break my promise to you and to Dad,"

"I'm sorry hijo. If you want, I'll ask your Dad—"

"Oh no, that would be a big trouble," I cutted her off. The last time I agreed with it, my Dad freeze my allowance for two months. And I don't want to happen it again.

Mom sigh. "I'm sorry anak, alam kong mahirap, pero kunting tiis nalang man na di ba?"

I went silent for a minute to understand her saying tagalog word. Not that I don't understand it, but living in Stanford is like a new chapter for me.

"Hijo?"

"I'm sorry 'Ma, n-nanibago lang a-ako,"

Mom laughed when I stutter. "Hindi ka na talaga sanay mag tagalog, baka pag nakauwi ka ng pilipinas eh mahirapan ka na,"

"I still can speak Tagalog words, but not more fluent,"

"You'll get there anak, soon," Mom understandingly said. "Anyway, bukas birthday ng Ate Rajah mo, uuwi ka ba?"

I sigh. "Yeah, Ate will really hate me if I don't," I said as I remember what happen when I didn't attend her wedding day. Aside from I have my final exam back then, I just don't know how to approach Kuya Ryan, Reign's older brother, if we saw each other.

"Okay, I'll tell your Ate later. I'll go now, your Dad is waiting for me downstairs. See you soon anak, take good care of yourself okay? love you!"

When the line ended, I open my social accounts to stalk Kuya Ryan's account using my dummy account. There I saw photos of him with Ate saying 'Happy Birthday to my lovely wife!' Followed by a heart emoji.

I scroll and stopped when I saw a picture of Reign holding a rolled paper with a ribbon tied on it while smiling widely at the camera. It's posted two years ago and the caption made me want to beg and cry in front of my parents to ask them a favor to let me go to Philippines to see her, even from afar.

'Congratulations Princess! We're so proud of you...'

"I'm so proud of you too My Love, see you soon." I mumbled as I run my fingers through her face. I close the app after I save her picture and go to my study table to turn on my printer.

Nilagay ko ang picture niya sa photo album na binili ko para lagyan ng lahat ng mga larawan niya.

"See you soon, Reign."

I went to mall that afternoon to buy gift for Ate Rajah. I'm just thinking of buying clothes for her daughter instead of hers or Kuya Ryan— her husband.

There I saw Harold, one of my friend but not that close like Leandro. We did this fist bomb as our way of greeting each other. We just talk a little before he bid goodbye when his girlfriend call him.

As I walk through the hallway where boutiques are, I saw a yellow summer dress hanging in front of this certain boitique. I look at it and a memory of the past where Reign and I dance together on her 18th Birthday flash suddenly.

I shook my head and decided to go home and just order online or whatever I can give to Ate as my gift. Or maybe, I'll just give her money so she can decide or choose what she wants to buy.

When the clock strikes at six thirty PM, I just took a quick shower and wear a formal polo dress and tuck it in my pants. For sure, some of the invited guests are Doctors, Attorneys, and businessmans. So might as well, wear something that could make someone think that I can be with those.

I drag Leandro with me since we're both going to a field where professionals are in.

We greeted Ate Rajah when I saw her with her husband who's carrying their daughter Rahjeyn. Kuya Ryan patted my shoulder and whispered 'Good to see you bro' ... After two years since they got married, We didn't see each other since they're working in Philippines.

The event went on. Leandro and I are just busy roaming around to greet some familiar personalities. Mom and Dad were so happy that I came with my friend.

"So..." Dad trailed off while exchanging looks at me and Leandro. "What's the plan after graduation in college?"

I sip my drink first and cleared my throat. "Well... Leandro and I will enroll immediately in Law School," my Dad'a face lighten up with my answer that made me smile.

"That's good, that's good," Dad said smiling. He patted our shoulder lightly and excuse himself.

"He's happy," Leandro while looking at Dad from afar. I smile at that too and nod my head to him.

"He is,"

"How about you, dude? Are you...?"

I shrugged and sip on my glass of wine. "I am. But not really," I honestly said and look back to my Dad. "But I really want to kneel down infront of Dad now and beg him to let me go back to the Philippines... even just for a while,"

Leandro sighed and shook his head. "You're helpless dude,"

I just smiled at him and looked away and saw Kuya Ryan staring at me intently. He smiled and lift his glass when our gazes met.

Unknowingly. I stood up from my seat and went near to Kuya Ryan.

"Kuya," I greeted him. "Can I have a moment with you?"

He stare at me for a minute before he nod his head and went to the pool and sit at the lounge chair there.

Kuya Ryan sighed and throw me a short glance.

"Do you... miss her?" He broke out the silence.

I nod my head and looked up the sky. Sighing. "Every night I wish that I can see her Kuya," I said. "Even just from a far,"

He smiled at me and nod. "You want to see her?"

My eyes widened and I felt a lump in my throat.

"Y-you...? You want me. I mean, will you let me to see Reign, Kuya?" It felt like forever as I wait for his answer. And when he nods at me. I felt like I wanted to scream out for joy.

Tears immediately pooled up my eyes. "I..., God!"

I went back to my apartment that night happily. I'm so happy that Kuya Ryan talked to Mom and Dad about his plan. He even promise to my parents that he'll just let me see Reign from a far.

See you soon, my love...

I whispered through my breath as I looked up the sky.

*****

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