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"Sino 'yan?" 


Nahihiya akong umupo and with hot cheeks I sat on the bleachers and shut my mouth, nag-buzzer na and it means that the first quarter ended already.. I gulped multiple times because murmurs about me shouting for Light was surrounding me.


"Si Ophelia 'yan 'di ba?" I bit my lower lip and looked at my hands.. Sweating while holding the sliver rings of Light, gasps around me was made but I didn't look at them because I was just drowned in shyness! Bakit ko ba naman kasi 'yon sinigaw! 


"Lettie," he whispered while catching his breath, I know he's beside me pero hindi ko pa rin siya tinitignan. "Hey," he tapped my shoulder to catch my gape but I didn't buy it. 


"Uh.. Bakit? Gatorade mo ba? Or 'yong tubig? Ayan oh, nasa paper bag," I modestly kicked the paper bag that's containing his things, siya naman ang may dala niyan e.. Hindi ko naman siya dadalhan ng ganiyan. 


"Hindi, bakit ayaw mo akong tignan, 'yon ang 'yon," I blew my cheeks and faced him, I fixed my pearl clip that's on my hair, my hair was loose and free. Two pearl clips were just keeping my long hair from getting to my face, my hair is middle parted and the sides were pinned with the glamorous clips, naka-jogging pants lang din ako and my PE shirt because after this game my Wednesday will end na.


"Nakakahiya kasi.. " I mumbled, he just let out a chuckle and reached for the paper bag.


"Hiya ka pa e 'di ba, akin ka? Sinigaw mo na nga e," I could hear his low laughs and the opening of the energy drink. 


"Shut up! That was your dare kaya!" I hissed and gazed upon him, he's smiling while the mouth of the bottle is touching his lips, the apples on his throat was making a wave, his eyes closed and his black and think hair is gathered by sweat, inom na inom siya parang dehydrated na talaga.


"Uto-uto ka naman, Lettie.. Ayan tuloy alam na ng mga tao rito na akin ka," he bit his lower lip and stared at me, nagpipigil ng ngiti his head slightly arched and narrowed eyes. I was planning to talk back when their team's coach called him. "Maya na, Lettie," he winked and gave me his energy drink, bakit ayaw niya pa roon sa bleachers nila ilagay! "Inom ka kung uhaw ka!"


"Ate, close mo 'yon?" Tinignan ko ang babaeng nasa tabi ko and looekd at her I.D lace, 7th grade? I nodded hesitantly because I was unsure if we're close.


"Kind of.. Why?"


"Pwede mo akong.. Ilakad Ate?" My eyes widened, 7th grader?! Para kay.. Kay Light?! 


"What?" Litong tanong ko, I mean.. May regla na ba siya? Light could literally be his Kuya! "You're.. You're on 7th grabe, bub.. " I whispered while gripping on Light's rings and Gatorade bottle. 


"Ano naman? Ang damot mo naman, ako na nga lang gagawa ng paraan, halika na Jess, ang damot nito palibhasa close siya kay Sibal," she rolled her eyes on me and grabbed her friend beside her, naiwan akong tulala dahil sa ginawa niyang 'yon, I mean.. He didn't address Light as his.. Kuya? And hindi naman ako maramot! I was just saying she's on 7th grade! 


"Ang damot, bakit 'pag Grade 7 ba bawal nang magmahal? Yabang! Halika na, ang ganda nung abs, kaya pa 'yan two years lang naman e, anong magagawa mo kung mahal mo si Sibal na 'yan, huh? Nagmamahal ka lang naman!" Her friend mouthed which made my mouth drop, what?! Why does it seem that it's my fault?! Argh! I was coming from an older sibling's perspective! Aren't they scared to be manipulated into doing things?


Gosh! I was just concerned! Ang dami kayang nagte-take advantage sa young teenagers wanting 'older men' then tricking them into doing things that aren't appropriate for them to explore yet.. Sometimes it's not love! Hindi ko naman sinasabing ganoon si Light but bakit parang ang bilis nilang mahulog sa ganoon?


Is it because nga mas matanda? They should be more careful! Ang daming nag papanggap lang to be the 'bigger person' and attracting these kids into a relationship and luring them to doing the deed and manipulating them, ang weird! Ugh! It's not cool and nakakakilig kaya! That's creepy and scary!


"Ayos ka lang, Lettie?" I gaped on him and smiled awkwardly, ang weird kasi.. Lalo na nung naisip ko 'yong 7th grader kanina. Hanggang sa dulo ng game they were staring at me! I didn't like that! That's so rude of them kasi naman why are they mad at me!


"Yeah.. " Mahina kong sabi. "Light," tawag ko sa kaniya, we're walking papunta sa car ko, ihahatid niya lang daw ako because he's going to celebrate with his team, kakain daw sila sa labas.. They won by two points. 


"Hmm?"


I gulped. "Mahilig ka ba sa mas bata?" 


"Huh?" I stopped in front of our car, his brows are furrowed and he slowly placed his palm on our car and let it support his weight. His eyes are filled with curiosity and he then compressed with lips, waiting for my answers. 


"I mean.. Ano.. " Hindi ako makasalita nang maayos because I remembered how the 7th graders walked closer to him and.. And he chuckled! Maybe I really stopped those kids from making a move on him e baka gusto naman pala niya!


"Ano?"


"Uhm.. "


"What's bothering you? Come on, si Mang Herbs baka magalit na sa akin, bawal bad shot 'di na tayo makakatakas," he pursed his lips and placed his other hand on his hip. 


"Mahilig ka sa bata?" I swallowed before continuing to my statement. "Kasi.. I mean, gusto mo ba 'yong mga 7th grader doon? Kasi if you like them I will feel guilty fo—"


"I don't. Mga kapatid ko na ata 'yon e," he chortled. "Mga one year younger lang gusto ko," he smirked and damped his lower lip. "Pero seryoso, hindi, gago," umiling siya at hinawakan ang ipangbabang labi. 


"Natawa lang ako kasi mahal na raw ako, ang bata-bata pa natin para sa mga ganoong pakiramdam," he bit his lip and reached for my hair, he patted it and let his hand slip down my hair. "Sige na, pasok ka na," he opened the door and waited for me to come in, nang makapasok na ako ay hindi niya pa rin isinasara ang pinto.


"You need something pa?" I bit the insides of my cheeks as I wait for his words.


"Ingat ka," he smiled. "And thanks for cheering for me, akin 'di ba?" His brows jumped in a teasing manner and smirked, umirap nalang ako at umiling, hinintay na bitawan niya ang pinto para maisara ko na, it's getting late na rin. "Tsaka ano pala.. Sa 30.. Alam mo kung anong meron?" I tilted my head a bit and squinted, it's a holiday ata, right?


"It's a holiday, what's wrong?" A scowl was immediately formed on his lips, a crease was formed on my forehead because of confusion, what?! "What? May other ba?"


"Pupunta kayo sa bahay sa katapusan."


"Because?" I raised my brow. 


"It's my birthday, Lettie," he pursed his lips more, my lips slightly parted because of that, so his birthday is a holiday! 


"Ow," tangi kong nasabi. 


"Punta ka?" I compressed my lips and unsurely bobbed my head. 


After that I started to overthink what should I wear on his birthday, kinabukasan he gave me an invitation and it's just a formal party.. It's his 15th birthday, hindi ako sinasabihan nila Daddy but I know for sure that they're invited by our Mayor, I mean the birthday celebration of the Mayor's sons are always a big deal here sa lugar namin.


"What gift should I give him, Ate?" My sister's lazily sitting on our white and gold couch. With no emotions she looked at me then back on her phone.


"Pagmamahal at serbisyo," walang katuturan niyang sabi.


"Walang sense."


"Parang ikaw lang 'yan, walang sense," she snickered and kicked her feet on the non-existent target, she's kicking the air. 


"Haynako!" I groaned and stood up to go to my driver I will go to Mr. Frederick, our fashion designer because I already consulted him about the dress that I want, gets naman daw niya and I just need to go there for the final fittings, it's Saturday today, tomorrow is the celebration. 


Mom informed me and I told her that I was already invited and she doesn't like breaking off invitements so I'm already sure that she'll make me go, sure rin akong alam niya na nagpagawa na ako ng susuotin because my dress will be charged on her card anyway, close pa sila nung designer. 


"Manong sa Zaf po," I said and rested my back on the car's seat, malayo-layo ang botique because it's close to SDC Malls, sa sentro pa 'yon ng Ligaya. 


On the way the boutique at the parking lot of SDC a familiar figure caught my eye. 


"Manong, wait! Stop!" I ordered and he quickly stopped the car, lumabas ako and walked closer to the person who caught my eyes, it's.. Light, wearing his usual dark and chainy clothes and smoke covering his figure I waved the thick smoke off my face and walked closer to him. 


"Light?" With furrowed brows and heavy breathing I successfully got closer to him and I saw how his figure hitched.


"L-Lettie?" Agad nawala ang mga usok sa paligid niya, maybe it's because he pushed the head of the cigarette on the wall and helped me fan the remaining smoke, I covered my nose and caughed a bit, masyadong maamoy! "Lettie, anong ginagawa mo rito?"


"I saw you kaya ako bumaba ako, ikaw ba?" Nauutal ko paring sabi ko dahil nga sa usok na hindi pa rin humuhupa.


"'Nak!" Rinig kong tawag ni Mang Herbert, nasa parking lot kami and I just know that Manong is behind me. I let my palm face him and looked at Light intently, he smokes pala?


"Wait, Manong, five minutes," nilingon ko ang driver and he just gave me a nod and retreated back to the car. "You smoke pala, 'no?" I inspected the where he was standing and it's near a trashcan, siguro roon niya pinatay ang sigarilyo. 


"Y-yeah.. " He said worriedly. He cleared his throat and looked at me with hesitation. I bobbed my head and smiled in sadness, it's okay, hindi naman ako kung sino para magdesisyon sa buhay niya but he's just about to turn 15! 


But who am I to tell him things, right? I really just went down the car because I wanted to say hi to him, nasabi niya rin kasi sa akin yesterday that he wanted to talk to me, I gave him a small smile and was about to go back to our car when he held my arm. 


"Wait," I faced him and waited for him to speak up. "Lettie.. " He trailed off and caught his lower lip with his front teeth. 


"What? I need to go to Zafra pa," I said. 


"Do.. Do you want me to stop?" I saw how his apples went down and back up, I looked at him and gasped. "Do you want me to stop smoking?" I looked away in an instant because of his heavy stares, I mean bakit niya ba kailangan ng opinyon ko!


"Honestly?"


"Honestly." I chewed on my lower lip and played with my hands, ang bata pa kasi namin.. I don't know his reasons for smoking but.. Habang maaaga pa he should already save himself from nicotine! 


"Yes.. But that's still your decis—" He immediately cut me off with a sigh. 


"It'll be hard.. But okay, Lettie," natigil ako nang titigan niya ako mata sa mata, his brown eyes with spots of greens in it was staring directly on my dark orbs. "It'll be hard as fuck but if that's what you want," he walked closer and flicked his index finger on my forehead. "Halika na sa Zafra."


Light dragged me to my car and I didn't agree that he could come with me sa Zafra because he'll see my dress! And I got a handkerchief that's personalized.. 'Yon nalang ang gift ko because napasin ko rin naman na he always bring a panyo with him.. It's just a simple white and blue handkerchief with some designs that I did and his name sewed on it. 


"Hoy! Bumaba ka na raw! Punta raw kayo kila Mayor 'di ba?" I looked at my sister on the mirror and saw that she's just wearing her usual pambahay attire. 


"Hindi ka sasama?"


"Tinatamad akong maging prim and proper tsaka ayaw ko, naka-make out ko no'ng isang araw 'yong Leighton," she winced in disgust and attempted to shut the door. "Bumaba ka na! Nagagalit na si Mommy," tumango ako and grabbed my white purse.


I'm wearing a pink tulle layered long dress and a white two-inch block heels with my white purse, I walked down the stairs and went inside our family car, ako lang ang pupunta sa aming magkakapatid because my Kuya is too busy with his business sa farm namin and Ate Michelle is not a fan of social events. 


"Good day Mr. and Mrs. Yrreverre," a personnel welcomed us, inabot ko rin ang invitation kong mayroong gold plate sa taas unlike the invites of my parents, hindi ko rin kasi sigurado but I just let it pass, si Light naman ang nagbigay no'n.


I wasn't answering his messages because I was si astouneded of what happened behind the mall yesterday, hindi kasi talaga halata sa kaniya na nagso-smoke siya because his lips doesn't even get affected! And he always smells nice! 


The venue screamed elegance because it's held on the Sibal's abode, ngayon lang ako nakapunta rito because most of the time I'm busy with my school and doll house. I looked around the two-storey mansion and there's a huge chandelier, a high ceiling, white and gold grand staircase and cocktail tables all over the first floor.


Hanggang sa backyard ata nila mayroong mga tables because I saw a huge entrance and the flooring was already grass like, I guess hanggang backyard nga talaga nila. 


I'm alone sa cocktail table because I don't know these people! Iilan lang ang ka-age ko, I saw Heather but she's from Priston and we're not that close so I decided to just stay put hindi ko na siya kinausap pa, mga socialites, business men and even politicians are here to celebrate Light's birthday! 


Wala akong nakikitang mga classmates from SFU but I saw a lot of familiar faces that's for sure are students of Priston, meron din some na nakita ko no'ng Wednesday some of his teammates and club bodies are here, too! Kilala ko sila because Light introduces me to his 'friends' from our university, sa classroom wala nga lang ata talaga siyang ka-close because lagi nalang siyang nakadikit sa akin.


Hindi ko pa rin nakikita si Light because of there are waves and bulk of people everywhere kaya hindi ko na alam kung nasaan ba siya sa mga 'yon. 


"Lettie," an arm draped on my shoulders and with just the familiarity of the smell I knew in an instant who that person is. 


"Oh, you're here," with my most relaxed tone I faced him, he's wearing a navy blue suit and his hair is professionally pushed back. 


"Wala kang sasabihin?" He pursed his lips, I furrowed my brow and played with the gift that's on my hand, ano bang dapat kong sabihin?


"What should I say?" Lito kong tanong, his eyes are so hopeful pa naman! I feel bad breaking his anticipation! His shoulders sagged and his smile turned into a scowl in an instant.


"It's August 30 today.. Lettie.. " Nalulungkot niyang sabi, my eyes formed slits because of his sadness, ano naman!


"So?" I pursed my lips, his scowl grew deeper and his arms are now lazily beside his body, tinggal na niya sa balikat ko. "E'di happy national heroes day?" Hindi ko siguradong saad, he rolled his eyes and was about to walk past me when I caught his arms, natatawa akong hinarap siya and we're now staring at each other.


I gave him a smile which made his lips form into a pout, iniiwasan pa rin ang titig ko. "Hey," natigil ako para bahagyang tumawa. 


"Happy national heroes day rin, Lettie," naka-irap niyang sabi. 


"Happy birthday, Lucius," I seriously uttered and handed him my gift, natigilan tuloy siya, unsurely he reached out for my gift and looked at it as if it's a surprise. 


"T-thank you.. Akala ko.. " I chuckled and shook my head, pupunta ba ako rito kung hindi ko alam na birthday niya! 


"I won't be here if I don't know na it's your birth—"


"Lucius," a woman behind Light called him, she's wearing a white elegant gown and a few pearl accessories, she obtains the same pair of eyes that Light has, maybe it's her mother? I don't know. 


"Mom," Light said and faced the woman, tinagay na rin niya ang regalo ko at hinigit ako papunta sa gilid niya, I saw how his Mom looked at me from head to toe then back to her son. "This is O—"


"Ophelia Yrreverre," my eyes widened when Mrs. Sibal said my name! Bakit niya ako kilala.. Do I have a bad reputation? My hands went cold in an instant because of how bland she stared at me. 


"Mom.. It's rude to cut people off.. And bakit parang ang sungit mo?" My friend said in giggles and amble to his mother, he kissed her on the cheek which made the elegant woman smile, I saw how her eyes sparkled because of her son.


The magic of motherhood..


"I'm sorry, but let's go outside, sa long table, the visitors are there and I am dying to introduce you to someone," Mrs. Sibal almost dragged Light but he said something that made her stop and walk outside the backyard, siguro naroon ang long table. 


"Lettie, halika sa likod tayo," he wrapped his hand on my wrist and pulled me to their backyard, there I saw a long, as in long table and there were people sitting there, I even saw my parents talking to the Sychangcos but I completely ignored it becasue Light pulled a chair for me to sit on, gracefully I took my seat and he did too. He sat beside me. 


"Happy 15th birthday, Lucius," a middle-aged woman said and Light responded and it went on like that, every other minute nililingon niya ako to check if I'm doing well or what so ever, hindi ko rin alam sa kaniya kung anong trip niya. 


"Will you be pursuing politics? Just like your father?" I stopped when I saw how Light stiffened, he laughed awkwardly and gave me his hand.. Without any hesitation I took it and lightly drew circles on his sweaty palms, muli niya akong nilingon and he gave me a thankful smile.


"Uhm.. Actually I am n—"


"Anyway! Everyone!" Mrs. Sibal caught the attention of half of the guests and held the shoulder of a girl who's about our age.. She's wearing a champagne dress and her hair was loose in a low bun.. She looks familiar.. Nakita ko na ata siya sa isa sa mga pageant ng Priston? I'm not sure.. 


I stopped what I am doing to Light's palms to pay attention to his mother but he faced me with so much opposition, I kept my gape on his mother and waited for her to speak up. "Everyone.. This is Light's girlfriend, Ellaine," dahan-dahan akong lumingon sa kaniya, my eyes widened in an instant and my lips parted, may girlfriend pala siya?!


Everyone started to congratulate them because.. She's a Molina, another one from the political side of La Carlota. I just know because in the pageant industry her name is quite loud and promising. Tuluyan na siyang tumabi sa

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