Entry 01

The wind blew aggressively as it touched my face. Napapikit ako nang maramdaman ang kaunting buhangin na pumasok sa aking mga mata. Huminto ako sa pagpadyak at saglit na kinusot ang aking mga mata upang mawala ang dumi.

"Damn it," I hissed.

I'm already late for my curfew and my parents are surely worrying about me. Kaninang alas siete pa ng umaga ako wala sa bahay at anong oras na ngayon? It's already eight in the evening. At sa halip na mapabilis ako sa pag-uwi ay huminto pa ako upang mawala ang aking puwing.

"Audrey! Gabi na, ah!"

Marahas akong nagmulat ng mga mata at natanaw sa hindi kalayuan ang kaklase ko sakay ng isang kotse. Ngumisi lang ako sa kaniya at kumaway nang mabilis ring umandar ang kotse na sinasakyan niya. Umayos ako sa pagkakaupo at hinayon ng tanaw ang traffic lights sa unahan. Muli na namang humampas ang pang-gabing hangin dahilan kung bakit pumikit ako upang hindi na mapuwing.

Hinawi ko ang aking buhok pagkatapos ng marahas na ihip ng hangin na iyon at nagpatuloy sa pagpepedal. I'm riding my black bicycle back home. And some are wondering why I like to use this when we have extravagant cars in the house. But, and, again, I have no plans of explaining why I like keeping my life like this. Humble, simple, and... contently happy.

Lumiko ako ng daan patungo sa aming subdivision. The road is dim, only lighted by the lamp posts on the left and right sides. Sa likod ng mga naglalakihang poste ay ang tahimik at madilim na bakanteng lupain. Bumagal ang pagpadyak ko nang matanaw ang nagkikinangang mga bato sa kalangitan. In the end, I decided to stop for a while.

The stars are just some of the heavenly bodies. I was taught that they shine because they are extremely hot. And if we have the chance to touch them, we will die in a flinch. Scary, right? But I love the fact that they shine because they are extremely hot. It only means that they are also extraordinary. That no matter how others try to unlighted them, they can never, because it's their power to shine and not let anyone stop them from giving light.

I'm delighted to know that there is something out there that could give the world a light when everything in this land turns dark and dull. They gave a reason to continue living even if it is pitch black here. They may not always be seen in the sky, when storms hit or when the rain pours, I am still convinced that they are just out there and still trying their best to give us hope.

Bumaba ako sa aking bisekleta at naglakad patungo sa bakanteng lote. Malinis at walang puno ang paligid kaya walang dahilan para matakot ako. And my feet seem to have their own minds because they continue walking without my permission. I lift my left hand, close the three fingers and made a little gap between my kindly bended forefinger and thumb. Pinikit ko ang isang mata upang bahagyang lumaki ang mga bituin sa paningin ko. In my wildest dreams, I imagined catching one star from the endless far.

I love staring at stars and thinking that I can chase them and reach even just one of them. It's my dream to catch one though it sounds very impossible. For me, stars are the definition of true love; they shine in the darkest place and prove to everyone that no matter how unreachable they seem to be, they are always there. They never leave even if you can't see them sometimes.

I shuddered when the wind blew again. I'm wearing a red printed floral spaghetti strap dress and who will not feel cold with this small clothe? I sighed and bend my head to see the floor. I smiled when my eyes caught my necklace. I hold the pendant and my smile grew bigger.

My father gave me a necklace with a star pendant. He knows how addicted I am to stars. And then it brought me back to the reality that I am far late for my curfew. Tinakbo ko ang aking bisekleta at mabilis na nagpedal. Pinagbuksan ako ng gate ng aming guard at agad akong dumiretso sa garahe. Inayos ko ang bisekleta ko roon at tumakbo sa pathway patungo sa hagdanan papasok ng bahay.

I only stop my quick steps to stare at our large modern house. People say that I will never know how it feels to work hard for things I want because I was born with a silver spoon. But that's what they are wrong. Someday, when I grew older, I will prove to myself that I am more than what others think of me. I can be my own achievement. I can be my own riches. I can be my own trophy. And others will realize that they are wrong about me.

Binuksan ko ang engrandeng pintuan at pumasok sa loob. My shoes make a noise in a very quiet foyer. My lips just automatically curve into a smile when I saw who are in the living room. My father seating beside my mother, smiling at each other. My kuya, ate, and my younger sister, are all laughing at something.

They are my life and nothing in this world could ever surpass them. They are my greatest treasure and I always believe that I'm happy only because I have an almost perfect family. Exclude the resources we have, I am genuinely happy to see my family complete. Not everyone has the chance to be this happy. And I'm trying my best to keep this gift.

"You're finally home, Cinderella." Kuya Andre smirked at me when he saw me.

Binagsak ko ang aking bag sa upuan at lumapit sa kanila. Ablyne, my five-year-old sister, comes to me to hug me. I laughed and sat next to my siblings and glanced at my parents.

"Pagbibigyan kita ngayon, AJ, but don't do it again. Delikado sa labas kapag masyado nang madilim." Mom said strictly but smiling.

I nodded like a good kid.

"Or should I just throw your bike away so you won't spend so much time outside riding that-"

Nanlaki ang mga mata ko sa sinasabi ni Daddy at bago pa man din niya iyon matapos ay umangal na ako.

"You won't do that, Dad! That bike is my life-"

"Chill, darling. I'm just kidding." Dad cut me off and slightly laughed at my reaction.

I calmed and no matter how badly I want to roll my eyes, I won't do that in front of them. In the end, I laugh with them. I grew up thinking that the ideal definition of love is my parent's relationship. I always pray to found a love like them; na katulad ni Mommy ay makakahanap rin ako ng isang katulad ni Daddy. But it all changed when some things started to become uncontrollable. When things that I thought I kept safely started to go out from their boxes and suddenly, it's all gone.

"Tangina noong si Mark! Sinabihan ba namang pangit ang drawing ko!"

Ngumiwi ako dahil kanina pa bukambibig ni Gillian ang pagkainis niya sa kaklase namin. It's another day today and I lured my parents to let me go out today. Pinayagan nila ako dahilan kung bakit nasa kwarto ako ngayon ni Gillian at hinihintay siyang makapagbihis habang patuloy sa pagra-rant.

"Sana hindi natin siya maging kaklase ngayong pasukan! Last year na natin sa high school at gusto kong maging memorable 'yon kahit paano!" She added.

"Duh, it will be memorable. Tayong magkakaibigan lang 'ata ang hindi naghiwa-hiwalay kahit anong pilit i-ramble ng mga teacher ang pangalan natin." I said.

Ngumisi ang kaibigan ko at tumango, sumasang-ayon sa sinabi ko. Hindi ko rin alam kung pinanganak ba kaming walo na magkakadikit ang bituka at hindi kami mapaghiwa-hiwalay o ano, but I'm very thankful with that. Maybe I'm lucky because not everyone has the chance to be classmates with their friends. Pero alam ko ring darating ang panahon na maghihiwa-hiwalay kami ng landas. College is waving.

"At maganda ka naman mag-drawing, ah." Balik ko sa usapan.

She rolled her eyes at me at padabog na sinarado ang kaniyang cabinet.

"Ewan ko ba sa gagong 'yon. Makapanglait ng wagas porque magaling siya."

"Not everyone will like your work, but that doesn't mean you're not good."

She shrugged and pulled a pair of jeans and a crop top shirt. Pumasok siya sa bathroom at narinig ko ang pagbukas ng shower. She took almost half an hour inside the bathroom knowing I'm here.

"You know what, I'm already bored waiting for you here for two hours straight! Let's go!" Lintaniya ko at tumayo sa pagkakaupo mula sa kaniyang kama.

Binalingan ko siya at naabutang inaayos niya ang kaniyang bangs sa harap ng salamin.

"Sa'n ba-"

"Sa'n darating ang mga salita..." I sang.

Marahas niya akong hinarap. Her sharp eyes directed at me that I can't help but stop myself from laughing.

"Tangina mo! Saan nga!" Galit niyang usal dahilan upang lumakas ang aking halakhak.

"Abnormal ka. Tara na nga!" She declared, still in a rage.

Binagsak niya ang hairbrush sa tokador niya at hinila ako palabas ng kaniyang kwarto. I was still about to greet her parents when she straightly dragged me out of their house.

"Babatiin ko pa sina Tita-"

"Huwag mo na silang batiin." Aniya at patuloy akong hinila sa paglalakad palabas ng subdivision.

Kumunot ang noo ko. "Inaway mo na naman magulang mo?" I pry.

Umiling siya. "Wala akong pera, Aud. Pautangin mo ako, ha."

Bumagsak ang dalawa kong balikat. Hindi dahil umuutang siya sa'kin kundi dahil para sa kaibigan. She's been my friend since we were freshmen. Schoolmate kami noong elementary pero hindi naman kami magkaibigan kaya noong grade 7 lang kami naging mag-bestfriend. And with six years of being friends with her, I may not know her whole story, but I had the chance to hear a summary of it.

"But, really, where are we going?" She stops dragging me to inquire about that.

Nawala ang isip ko tungkol sa kaibigan at malapad na ngumisi nang maalala kung bakit ko siya ginambala ngayong araw.

"What's with the smile? That better be good or I will leave you alone to wherever you gonna bring me!" She warned.

"Hindi natin ibebenta kaluluwa natin, huwag kang mag-aalala. And I don't watch porn, therefore, I really don't have any idea where to apply ourselves."

"What?!"

I laughed when I saw the incredulity in her expression. Hinila ko siya at binilisan pa ang paglalakad hanggang sa makarating kami sa terminal ng jeep. And regardless that we both have blabbermouths, we still make it safe to our destination. Pumunta kami sa isang popular na manghuhula sa Olivarez and she just told me that I'll meet the man destined to me in college.

"At naniniwala ka naman sa baliw na manghuhulang 'yon? Pineperahan ka lang no'n! Gusto pa akong hulaan at kung hindi lang ako tumanggi ay paniguradong wala na tayong pang-kain ngayong lunch!"

Natigil ako sa pagdi-daydream ko tungkol sa sinabi ng manghuhula na 'the one' ko dahil sa reklamador na boses ni Gillian. I crossed my arms on my chest and looked at my best friend. She shot her eyebrow at me and gave me that look of 'what.'

"We're best friends, right? You must be supporting me."

"With your delusions? I mean, Audrey, we're still young. There are a lot of boys out there waiting for you and all you have to do is just pick."

I stared at her hazel eyes as mine squint. "What do you mean?"

"What I mean is we shouldn't be making these boys our problem. Or so-you-called your 'the one'. Kung darating, e'di dumating. Pero malalaman ba natin kung siya na nga ba? Hindi 'diba?"

Iniwas ko ang tingin sa mga mata niya at ilang segundong inisip ang kaniyang sinabi. She has the point. We're still young and we don't see the world yet but I'm here, already so eager to meet the man who is meant for me. But can't I be excited for the dreams I want?

"Let's enjoy our youth, Aud. And remember that you want to take the UPCAT this October? Dapat iyon ang pinahula mo kung papasa ka ba!"

A smile slowly crept on my lips. Tumango ako at inakbayan ang kaibigan. "Papasa ako sa UPCAT! Hindi ka ba naniniwala sa'kin?!"

"Syempre naniniwala ako sa'yo! I can't wait for the time when I can see you protesting along with your classmates."

Tinulak ko ang kaibigan dahil sa kaniyang sinabi pero sabay rin kaming nagtawanan. We are best friends and we are each other's fans. Ilang taon na ang nagdaan pero kahit bagyo 'ata ay hindi kami mapaghiwalay. And no matter how our principles in life are distinct to each other, we remained best of friends. I guess that's the true meaning of friendship: to make the differences one.

"Hoy! Para kayong mga palaboy na bata diyan sa gilid!"

Parehas nanlalaki ang mga mata namin nang balingan ang sumigaw. And there we saw our boy best friend with those breathtaking emerald eyes like the vast forest, Baste. Nakasakay siya sa kaniyang motorbike at nang-aasar kaming pinapanood. Gillian first went to him and punched him jokingly in the face. Sumunod ako at umangkas.

It's always me, Gillian, and Baste since grade 7. Nakilala namin si Kobe noong grade 10 dahil nakasama siya ni Baste sa basketball team ng school at naging kaklase rin namin siya. While Lallaina, she was our classmate back on 9th grade. Ngunit naging kaibigan lang namin siya bago matapos ang taon. Hindi ko alam kung paano nangyari at pilit ko mang alalahanin kung paano kami naging malapit sa kaniya ay hindi na rin namin maalala. Ang mahalaga ay isa siya sa matatalik naming kaibigan at tumatayong ate sa aming grupo.

And for Apple and Denzel, we met them last year in our 11th grade. They are best friends that are very talkative. Naging close kami sa kanila nang lagyan namin ni Baste ang bag ng dalawa ng talong, nutrition month that time at may contest about sa grow, glow, and go foods. Ninakaw ni Baste ang talong at ako ang naglagay sa bag ni Denzel at Apple.

"Tangina mo, Santiano. Mas mahaba pa ata 'tong talong kaysa sa'yo!" Denzel shrieked those words, as he usually is.

I laughed hysterically while holding the eggplant Apple threw at me. "Payag ka no'n? Pakitaan mo nga!"

"Baka kapag nakita mo 'ko, mahimatay ka." He boasted.

"Patingin nga!" Denzel said it seductively.

Mas lumakas ang tawa ko nang umambang aalis si Baste ngunit hinarangan siya ni Denzel, and because we didn't see Gillian coming, tumama sa mukha niya ang talong na hawak ni Denzel.

"Sorry, Gillian! 'Yang dalawa mo kasing kaibigan nilagyan ng talong ang bag namin ni Denzel!" Apple spoke in the background.

Mas lalong kumunot ang noo ni Gillian sa narinig at sa nakitang natatawa kong mukha. To make the story short, we all became friends. And how we became friends with Sabrina? Here is the short story. She's a one month girlfriend of Denzel that gets close to us. Dumating ang panahon na nagkaroon sila ng malaking pagkakatampuhan na nakaapekto sa pagkakaibigan namin ngunit pagkaraan ng ilang buwan ay muli silang nagkaayos.

And then there was where our friendship started. We are each other's friends since we were younger and we were very immature. Nagagalit si Gillian kay Sabrina kapag hindi ito nagrereply, nagtatampo si Denzel kay Kobe at Baste dahil laging naglalaro sa cellphone nila, madalas ring magkasagutan si Lallaina at Baste. Our friendship was tested many times but we remained solid and decided to grow together.

"Akala ko magri-review ka for UPCAT?" Denzel asked when he visited me at the school's pub house.

Humilig ako sa likod ng silya at nag-inat. "I am. I'm just finishing this month's featured story."

I'm very active at our school. I'm a track and field varsity and a campus journalist at the same time for five years straight. I like art and I want to pursue liberal arts in college. I'm very certain of my plans and what I want but things just sometimes don't go the way I wanted them to be.

"Bukas mo na 'yan tapusin. Tara na umuwi."

Tumayo ako at sumabay palabas ng pub house kay Denzel. Natanaw ko ang mga kaibigan namin na naghihintay sa gate, Kobe and Baste are both wearing their jersey. I smiled and waved at them and was about to run when I heard the same voices that bully my friend.

"350, Denzel!" They shouted in sync.

Four tall but skinny guys said those words. They are wearing the school's jerseys because they are also athletes. Pero kung anong galing nila sa laro ay siyang kasing dumi ng kanilang mga bibig.

"Pasensiya ka na, hindi ako cheap." Denzel fired back.

Binalingan ko ang kaibigan at naabutan siyang ngumingisi. And even before I could talk to my friend, I already heard the boys laughing. I glared at the four boys and I was very ready to kick them or something when Denzel effortlessly dragged me out of there.

"Nakakainis ang mga lalaking 'yon! Dapat hindi mo na sila pinapansin! Pinagkakatuwaan ka nila!" I whined while he's still dragging me.

"Hayaan mo na. Diyan sila masaya. Sinasakyan ko lang."

Kumunot ang aking noo. Kilala ko siya. Magaling lang tumawa at makipaglokohan pero alam kong naaapektuhan siya kapag inaasar siyang bading o ano pa.

"Hoy, bading! Uwi na!" Sigaw ng isang lalaking dumaan sa gilid namin.

Hindi ko na napigilan at nagtaas ako ng kamay at pinakita sa kaniya ang gitnang daliri.

"Ikaw ang umuwi! Tanga ka!" Sigaw ko.

In an instant, Gillian is already in front of us and helping Denzel to drag me out of the campus. Sinubukan kong kumawala sa kamay nila upang malapitan ang lalaking nang-aasar sa kaibigan ko pero hindi ko kaya ang sabay nilang puwersa.

"Hayaan mo na sabi ang mga 'yon, Aud. Sanay na ako at totoo namang bading ako-"

"Does it make you less a human? Dahil gay ka hindi na appropriate sa'yo ang respeto?" I hissed angrily.

He avoided my eyes and didn't respond. I sighed and calmed myself.

"I'm calmed. Let me go." I told Gillian but she only glared at me.

I rolled my eyes and let them.

"Malalaki nga silang tao at naturingang mga straight, ang sasama naman ng budhi." Dagdag ko pero muli ay hindi nila ako pinansin.

Sa aming magkakaibigan, siguro ako ang pinaka-isip bata at padalos-dalos. It's because I only care about the people I love. I don't want them hurt or being degraded by other people who don't even know them. But I'm also starting to think that my ways might be very immature and childish.

"Did you make it?"

I stared at the screen of my laptop and once again tried to scroll on the list of the UPCAT passers. Para akong pinagbagsakan ng langit at lupa; wari'y naubos ang liwanag sa kalawakan at tumigil sa pag-ihip ang hangin. Sa ibang salita, huminto sa pag-ikot ang mundo dahil sa disappointment at panghihinayang na nararamdaman ko ngayon.

"Audrey," Gillian called me again.

She really did visit me today just so she can be the first one to hear the news from me. I gritted my teeth as I try not to cry. UP is my dream university but I failed to make it to the list of UPCAT passers. Everything I planned crumbled when I didn't saw my name on the list. It felt like my dreams vanished because of it. I wanted to take liberal arts but that won't happen anymore.

"I... I didn't make it." I looked at her. "I didn't pass," I confirmed sadly.

She sighed and hugged me. And I can't help but cry. I've been to a lot of heartbreaks. I had my boyfriends at a very young age and some of those boys, iniyakin ko sila. But the pain I'm feeling for this is different. It's taking over my confidence in my skills, my abilities, and my intelligence. I'm a de Ayala... but why I didn't pass? Why did I fail?

And the dreams I planned when I was younger slowly fades away from my fingertips. My dream to graduate as a liberal art student never happened. Instead, I was left with no choice but to take marketing.

I enrolled at CvSU, one of the state universities in Cavite, and then later on realized what the outcome made me. Just a few months after I stepped into the school grounds, met new people, I learned to love the school and appreciate my home. I found a new goal... and that is to graduate with a marketing degree.

But weird is I can't figure out now what I want to do in the future. What will I do when I graduated? I think that handling my family's business is our siblings' legacy but I'm not sure if I want it. And I don't know if having no plans yet for my future is fine or not. Because I'm still about to find my new dream.

"Saan ka pupunta?" Sigaw na tanong ko sa bagong kaibigan, si Lily.

Hinarap niya ako nang marinig ang aking boses. Her beautiful dark skin glow against the ray of the sun. And when she smiles, she's like an angel.

"Sa engineering department. Magbebenta ako ng banana chips." Sagot niya.

Mabilis akong naglakad palapit sa kaniya. I put my arms on hers and smiled sweetly.

"Sama ako!" I announced.

Tumawa siya at hindi naman tumanggi. I gained Shiloh and Lily as my two real friends in the marketing department when I entered college. I love them both with the few months I'm with them. Shiloh is tanned with hair so long. We're the same height, and she's very pretty. Ang tipo ng babae na pagkakaguluhan dahil masyado siyang ilap sa mga lalaking nagpapahiwatig ng interes sa kaniya. While Lily is our beautiful Aeta friend. Ang kaniyang ama ay isang aeta at bata pa lamang ay naulila na sa ina. Kulot at makapal ang kaniyang kulay itim na buhok. Mataba rin siya ngunit may kurba ang kaniyang baywang. Habulin ng asar si Lily at kaming dalawa ni Shiloh ang laging nagtatanggol sa kaniya. She's our friend and we can't take all these people's judgments on Lily when they don't know her.

"Baka magtagal ako, Audrey. Marami akong paninda ngayon."

I looked at the bag she's holding and noticed that it is really full. Unang araw sa klase noong malaman ko na nagtitinda siya upang matustusan ang sarili niyang pangangailangan gayong mag-isa na lang siya. She doesn't come from a well-off family the reason why she has to do those things. That's what I learned from her: hard work, courage, and perseverance.

I am known as the daughter and one of the heiresses of de Ayala's, but I still pursue to have a part-time job. I don't get things by silver platter; I learned to work hard for the things I want to buy. Squanding my family's money is not my personality. And I'm a firm believer that success is either inherited or built. And I want to create my own, not just a shadow and successor of my family's legacy.

I and the people around me are all different. And no one has the right to judge us because they don't know who we really are and what are the things we are fighting for.

"Ayos lang. We have two hours to spare." I giggled.

She smiled which showed her perfect white teeth. Natatawa siyang umiling at pumasok sa engineering department. Sumunod ako sa kaniya at sumalubong sa'min ang crowded na hallway, halos lahat ay mga lalaki at iilan lang ang mga babae.

"Negra, anong tinda mo ngayon?!" Sigaw ng isang hindi pamilyar na lalaki mula sa dulong room ng second floor.

My eyes turned dagger at the boy. Humiwalay ako kay Lily at nilapitan ang lalaki pero bago ako makarating sa kinalalagyan niya ay nauna na siyang makalapit sa'min.

"Anong sabi mo?" I asked in a very firm and authoritative tone.

Bumaling sa'kin ang lalaki at ngumisi. Lumapit pa siya sa'kin at hindi ako nag-abalang umatras dahil baka isipin niyang natatakot ako. Where in the earth I will be scared of him?!

"Sabi ko ang ganda mo." He whispered overconfidently.

Ngumiwi ako. But I faked my interest instead.

"Ah, gano'n ba?" I indulged him.

"Yup. Very pretty. Freshman ka ba?"

He stepped closer again to me and I keep smiling when I utter my response.

"Ang baho ng hininga mo." Malakas at malinaw kong sambit.

Everyone laughs at what I said. The boy's face crumpled like paper. I twisted my lips to conceal a smile and stepped back. Tinaasan ko siya ng kilay at babalik na sana kung nasaan si Lily nang dumapo ang paningin ko sa isang lalaki. The man with tanned skin and eyes deep charcoal and uncanny is laughing together with his friends. He's very tall, he has a lean and masculine body based on how his uniform fitted him so well and I can see his biceps flexing while he's crossing his arms. My eyes grazed above and I saw his tousled a bit longer hair. And from this moment, I know I am doomed and overwhelmed by the sudden beauty in front of me. He looks like an Arab prince that exists only in the words of a book.

I was always looking for my prince charming, wishing to the stars to meet him one day not until this day came and I find myself staring at the handsome face of...

Wait. What's his name?

Napabalik lang ako sa realidad nang malakas na tumawa sa harapan ko ang lalaking nang-aasar kay Lily. Muling umahon ang galit sa aking dibdib. Idagdag pa na naririnig ko ang ibang babae na kinukutya ang kulay ng aking kaibigan. I glared at the girls but they only looked at me cockily.

"Tara sa iba, Lily! Ang sangsang ng amoy dito." I said.

Hinawi ko ang aking mahabang buhok at hinila ang kaibigan. But I stopped and face the boy again. Gusto kong tumawa dahil sa mukha niya ngayon na namumula at naiinis pero pinigilan ko ang sarili.

"And by the way, if you can't respect her, that will make you less a human."

Nanlaki ang kaniyang mga mata at bakas ang galit para sa'kin but I only smirked.

"Actually, no. You're not a human at all." Bawi ko at tuluyan nang hinila ang kaibigan paalis doon.

I'm fine with Lily getting mad at me for losing some customers in that department but I will never be sorry for dragging her out of there. She doesn't deserve those treatments.

"Ayos lang naman ako, Audrey."

Huminto ako sa paglalakad at hinarap siya. Huminga ako ng malalim at ginala ang paningin sa buo niyang mukha. Well, she really looks fine. Outside. Who knows what's going on inside her mind? Who wouldn't be affected by those students' bullies?

"Hindi 'yon ayos, Lily. Never think that it's okay to be disrespected just because you are dark. Tao ka at may karapatan ka sa mabuting pagtrato ng iba at higit sa lahat respeto." I preached.

She smiled at me. And I hate it when everyone smiles when they are actually not okay.

"Thanks, Aud."

"Do not thank me. I'm your friend."

Umamba akong tatalikod at maglalakad na sana ulit nang magsalita siya.

"Pero tanggap ko naman na hindi talaga ako maganda-"

Umiling ako at hinawakan siya sa magkabilang balikat. No woman should ever feel that they are not beautiful because everyone does.

"Your beauty is perfect. I know you, Lily. You are more than what you see yourself in the mirror. Your dark skin, your thick curly hair, your body, it is the same as mine, only differs on how it was shaped and colored. But my point is that you are beautiful with no questions. Fuck their standards, you are wonderful. Flaws make everything perfect. You are pretty."

When I met Lily, some of my prejudices about the world changed. I thought life is easy and good, just to found out that I was innocent then. Because life isn't what I expected it to become. Not to mention that I'm still in college and there are still things out there in the reality that is about to knock me down.

"Don't listen to what other people say about your physical appearance. In the end, good hearts still wins. And you have that." I added and smirked.

"Anyway, nag-apply ako sa Starbucks. Hiring pa sila ng isang cashier. Gusto mo? Para magkasama tayo." I quickly changed the topic dahil hindi ako sanay na mag-drama sa mga bago kong kaibigan.

Or should I say, I'm not really the kind of person who talks about the drama of life. I can listen but I rather not talk about it.

She smiled widely. "Game!"

I smiled as well. "Picture tayo later kapag nakasuot na tayo ng uniform. I'll post it on my Twitter."

"'Di pa nga ako natatanggap. 'Tsaka wala akong twitter."

Kumunot ang aking noo sa huli niyang sinabi. "You're kidding."

"Hindi, a. Ayoko lang talaga."

We resumed our walk. Ang ibang estudyante na nakita si Lily ay bumili ng banana chips sa kaniya. I help her gain some customers.

"Bakit?" Kuryusong tanong ko nang umalis ang mga bumili.

She shrugged. "Social media is toxic. Internet people are so fond of involving themselves with things they are not concerned. It will be not good for my mental health, so I chose a private peaceful life."

Inabot niya ang bag na naglalaman ng mga paninda niya at nagpatuloy muli kami sa paglalakad. We saw Shiloh nearing so we waved at her.

"But I have my Facebook and Instagram account that is exclusively only for the people I am closed with." She added. "It's still way better to interact with people personally."

Hindi ako umimik ngunit pinroseso ko ang kaniyang sinabi. All years in my high school, I spent it sharing almost everything I do on social media. I like posting every damn thing I do. At minsan na akong nag-overthink noon kung bakit kaunti ang likes ng post ko. Those are just some of my petty problems. Lily has a really good point.

"Saan kayo galing? Hindi n'yo ako sinama!" Shiloh complained when she gets nearer to us.

"Sa engineering. Pero hindi naman kami nagtagal."

I faced Shiloh and was already at the edge of telling her what happened when a familiar face I saw a while ago flashed in my memory. Those thick eyebrows, long eyelashes, and eyes hostile and deep, he's way handsomer than Aladdin in a book.

Inilipat ko ang tingin kay Lily. Nagulat pa siya sa biglaan kong pagharap sa kaniya.

"Kilala mo ba 'yong lalaking may makapal na kilay sa engineering?" Tanong ko.

"Maraming makapal ang kilay do'n."

"'Yung mukhang Arab prince! Para siyang si Aladdin." I said the last words dreamily.

"Actually, mas gwapo pa siya kay Aladdin!" Kinikilig kong sambit.

Maybe my heart was late from booming loud because it didn't thud insanely when I saw that guy a while ago. Sa halip ay tila huminto ang mundo sa pag-ikot nang makita ko ang isang magandang lalaking katulad niya. I met a lot of handsome guys, including Baste and Kobe and my brother, but that man's face is... just so extraordinary. And I felt something in my heart that I never felt before when I dated my boyfriends before.

Umiling si Lily, natatawa. "Na-love at first sight ka na naman sa guwapo!"

Napangiti ako sa sinabi ng kaibigan. I'm a very romantic person and so fond of fairytale kaya siguro nga at na-love at first sight ako. And whoever that beautiful man is, I'm determined to know his name. In an instant, I feel like I have now the reason why I'm here... of why I am supposed to be here.