There was nothing but silence when I got to the balcony overlooking the city streets and under the bright starry night.

As soon as the announcements were made and introductions were done, I excused myself for a while to admire the scenery outside. The hotel, being situated inside an exclusive subdivision aside from the fact that it is quite far from the busy streets of the metro, gave both elegance and a peaceful ambiance to the guests.

I sighed and gazed at the dreamy sky. My bare shoulders shudder as a cold breeze passed by me.

"Hey." A voice boomed from behind. I gulped when I remembered who could have known me.

"Ang ganda ng langit." He began to talk and I stayed silent. He was standing a few feet from me and I didn't dare to look at him. "Kung ikaw ang tatanungin, which would you choose: to be the star or the moon?"

There was silence again between us as slow music resonated from the background. I wondered what could have brought him here and I also thought if I should answer him.

But before I could even open my mouth, he answered to himself, "I would choose to be the moon. Para kung sakaling mawala ang kinang ng bituin ko, ako ang magsisilbing ilaw niya." Then, he chuckled, "ang corny ko, shet."

A giggle escaped my throat and when I was about to turn to face him, somebody was beside him.

"Let's go. Dad is looking for you." A female voice said and before I knew it, before I can even comment on his remark, he left me all alone at the balcony.

His words never left my heart since then.

I wondered if he knew it was me.

I pondered if he has an idea that the woman he is talking to is the same girl he has met at the book store two years ago.

Then, my phone rang.

"Sis!" A worried voice exclaimed through the phone. "Asan ka? We have to go home!"

"Nasa balcony ako. W-why?" My heart pounded as I asked her what's going on.

"Nasa parking lot na ako. Dad had a heart attack, Mom accompanied him to the hospital thru an ambulance. And our house is on fire!" She said and I was astonished with the news that she told me. "Pupun—"

"—I'll go there.. See you." I said in a rush and hot tears welled up my eyes as I ran to where Ate is.

As soon as she saw me, we darted to where our parents are.

Ate Sam was quiet but I know she badly wanted to cry and is just controling herself not to break down as she was driving us home. She sped faster than usual and I thank the heavens that there was no traffic at this time.

We got to our house and firemen have started putting out the fire. Smoke were spewing out of the windows inside our house.

I cried when I realized that all my important things are there. All our childhood and family memories are being burned down.

Ate Sam held my arms as we sobbed for our dear recollections.

I know na mababaw ito para sa iba but we treasure them ever so dearly.

It took the firefighters two hours to completely extinguished the flames engulfing almost half the house.

When we sobered up, I approached one of the firefighters whose surname was Gregorio.

"Excuse me, pwede ho ba naming malaman ang pinagsimulan ng sunog?" I asked and met his eyes.
He's a little taller than me so I had to lift my chin up to look at him.

"We have a hunch that it was an arson but we'll let you know about it after we make a final report." He said and I almost raised an eyebrow at his words.

"O-okay. Thanks." I said and he nodded before he left me behind.

As I went towards where Ate Sam is at, a realization struck me.

Arson?

Is it someone from Daddy's rival since the election is coming up?

Or is it someone we know?