Chapter 1

Acoyssa's POV

Everyone in the crowd is acting so wild as if it's their first time to party. I grab my pouch as I search for the friends that I came here with, naboboring na ako.

To my dismay, I just end up seeing them busily flirting with strangers. Ugh, alright. Of course I'm aware that people went to parties just so that they can hook up but it's still annoying to witness such. Ba't ba hindi pa ako nasanay sa mga 'to? Kairita.

So fuss with all the nonsense view, I decided to go home alone just like I always did at times like this. Kahit pa isang grupo kami kadalasan kung mag-bar, lagi pa rin akong naiiwan mag-isa sa huli. Ending? Umuuwi ako ng solo.

Matiwasay akong nakalabas ng club at tsaka ako dumiretso sa parking area. Saan ko nga ba naiparada ang kotse ko? Dmn! Masyado kasing excited mga kasama ko kanina, na-carried away rin ako kaya di ko tanda saang banda ako nagpark.

R u lost, bebe ghorl?

As I roam around the parking area, my phone suddenly rings.

Who the hell will call at this time? It's freaking 2:15 in the morning!

I answer it lazily without even taking a glimpse of the caller's I.D, busy pa ang mata ko sa paghahanap ng sasakyan ko.

"Hello?" I greeted in a flat tone.

Oh! My baby's here! A smile curved on my lips as I saw my Mercedes Benz E-Class at the back parking lot. I will never regret investing to this car, eh ano kung mahal? Hitsura pa lang bawing-bawi na.

Inipit ko muna sa pagitan ng aking tainga at balikat ang cellphone habang hinahagilap ko ang susi ng kotse sa loob ng dala kong pouch. Nasaan na ba 'yon? Kailan pa ako naging careless sa gamit ko? Dmn!

"Go home this weekend daw, dito sa hacienda. Nanay and Tatay want to discuss something with you." the caller replied after a long silence.

Umuwi? So it's one of my sisters then? I can sense the chill and coldness so I bet it's Meesh.

"Okay, noted. Why still awake, Meesh? Waiting for UFOs?" I joke half meant.
Knowing her, I knew she'll surely do such things.

Finally, I found the key so I immediately moved para makapasok na ako sa loob. Agad akong naupo sa leather seat at  binuhay na ang makina ng sasakyan. Inilagay ko sa mobile holder na nakakabit sa dashboard ang cellphone saka ko ito ini-loudspeaker mode, prente na muna akong sumandal sa headrest. Mamaya na ako aalis.

"Yeah. I can't actually sleep so, iyon nga. Nagpapa-antok lang ako by watching the stars. Eh ikaw? Partying?" sagot ni Meesh sa biro ko gamit ang tila tamad na tamad na boses.

O told ya'h.

"Uh-huh. Well, honestly speaking, pauwi na ako." I timidly answers. Bored na rin ako, hays.

From here, I can visualize my bed 'cause my body badly want to rest by now.

"Oh my gosh! Gonna hang up, Acy! There's something on the sky, ingat ka pag-uwi, bye!", Meesh suddenly blurted out at agad ng ini-end ang tawag.

Mukhang may "beyond human experience" na naman syang nakita ah?
What a silly E.T. hunter.

I position myself then I start driving. By recalling  my schedule this upcoming weekend, wala naman akong practice for theater so I decided to pay a visit at Hacienda Del Yu.

Going home huh? Malamang Nay and Tay will constantly insist that I shall return living at the hacienda with them. Lagi naman kasing gano'n basta umuuwi ako eh.

Since our 18th birthday, I decided to live independently far away from home unlike my three other sisters who chose to stay there.

Not that I hate to live with my family, I actually love all of them but I just want to experience living on my own. Ginusto ko lang naman na mag-explore at mag-grow individually, masama ba 'yon?

I got what I want for five years but recently my parent was unstoppably convincing me to go back home.

Gusto mang pumikit ng mata ko sa oras na 'to ay di ko magawa dahil marami pa rin akong kasabayan na sasakyan sa daan at higit sa lahat ay nagmamaneho ako. Ayaw ko pang mamatay.

Advantage na rin pala na sa malapit lang sa area ko na club kami nagpunta ngayon. Atleast it's not a long drive.

I stop driving and parked the car at it's designated area as I reached my destination, my humble home.
Well this isn't the usual type of house but a condominium building instead. I'm occupying a 'studio-type' unit here for more than a year already. Lumipat ako rito kasi malapit din 'to sa opisina compared to the location of my previous apartment.

I timidly open the car's door and went out. I walk through the reception hall and pass by the lobby then went straight into the elevator.

Looks like the neighbourhood are dreaming already, solo passenger tuloy ako. I press the button for fifth floor then I close my eyes before leaning on the wall.

Hinihintay ko na lang ang hudyat ng pagsarado ng pinto nang;

"Teka, teka! Whew! Sakto!" someone rush inside the elevator where I'm in. Naagaw nito ang atensyon ko kaya agad akong napamulat.

The person is a guy and guessing through his outfit I think he's a deliveryman of one well-known "on the go and ready-to-eat" food delivery site.

Sinong mag-oorder ng ganitong oras? Passed midnight snack, huh? Siguro'y mga teenager iyon na nagi-sleep over o kaya'y gunagawa 'kuno' ng thesis.

Upon noticing my presence, the man look at me embarrassed.

  "Sorry Miss--", his apology pause for a seconds dahil naalala nya yatang estranghero kami sa isa't isa.

He looks so helpless and for the second time around, he looks so damn bashful. His blushing cheeks makes him even cuter. Wait? Did I just find him 'cute'?

He got an average look thou; he has a dark colored hair that length longer than normal, his height range probably was 5'8, his eyes and nose perfectly depicted a local blood yet his  lips is what makes him attractive.

If I were to ask, I would say that it is his greatest asset. Ano kayang pakiramdam na mahalikan ng mga labi ny---

Fvck! What the hell am I thinking?! Epekto ba 'to ng alak? Gross, nahihibang na nga yata ako.

  "Acy. Call me Acy." I continue his statement between my chuckles and disoriented thoughts.

"Pasensya sa istorbo uhm, Acy. Nagmamadali lang talaga ako baka kasi mai-deduct pa sa sweldo ko kapag nadelay na naman ang order sa amin ng dahil sa kapalpakan ko." he honestly and sincerely explained.
"Mukha pa namang pagod ka, pasensya na at nagulo pa kita." he continued.

"Okay lang, for public use naman talaga 'tong elevator eh. Don't mind me." then I just smile. Bakit ba parang ang tagal naming makarating sa fifth floor?

Hindi naman ganito dati ah!

As if on cue, the elevator stopped then the door opens.
I am starting to leave when I heard the guy fake a cough and clear his throat so I look at him.

"Ahm, ako nga pala si Nighali. 'Hal' for short." he winks and smirks right before the door close.

Woah, may split personality ba sya? Ano 'yon? Anong trip nya?

He just instantly changed from being bashful to a playful type of guy. The heck!
Well, at least he looks even more cute.

Oh my! Quota na sya sa compliments Acoyssa Yu! Fix yourself! Wala ka na talaga sa katinuan, gosh!