Elora's POV
THERE was a huge sense of relief inside me when I got the assurance I needed from Elrond. I couldn't stop staring at the photo he sent to prove his identity. Even when sporting a straight expression, holding a frying pan and a spatula, he could still be very attractive.
I could still hear my laughter ringing in my ears when I first saw his photo. Kalaunan ay kakaiba ang sayang naramdaman ko nang mapatunayan niyang hindi siya poser gaya ng iba. Mas lalong napalagay ang aking loob sa kanya. I became more comfortable because I know he's real.
lord_elrond01: Good morning, Elora! Ingat ka sa pagpasok.
A smile automatically crept on my lips when I read his morning message. Mabilis akong nagtipa ng aking mensahe pabalik sa kanya.
eloramariz: Good morning! Thanks. Ingat ka rin
lord_elrond01: Walang problema, lods.
The short and casual exchange of conversations was enough to make my day. I couldn't keep myself from smiling as I went down to the kitchen to eat breakfast before heading out to school.
Nandoon parehas ang aking mga magulang sa hapag. My dad was busy sipping on his morning coffee while reading the newspaper. Sa harap niya ay ang platong wala nang laman. On the other hand, my mother was still quietly eating her breakfast—scrambled eggs, hotdog and fried rice.
Nagmamadali akong naupo upang makasama pa silang kumain ng umagahan kahit papaano.
"Good morning po," magalang kong bati sa kanilang dalawa.
"Morning. Kumain ka na," nakangiting sabi ni mommy at inusog papalapit ang plato kung saan nakalagay ang sinangag.
"Thanks, 'mmy," tipid kong sabi at saka kumuha na ng aking pagkain.
Agad naman siyang bumalik sa pagkain. Patapos na siya kaya binilisan ko na rin ang pagkilos.
"Elora, bilisan mong kumain at isasabay na kita pagpasok," baritonong boses ni daddy ang sunod na aking nadinig.
Slightly surprised, I turned to him with my eyes wide open. "Ihahatid ninyo po ako sa school?"
"Yes," he replied. "May dadaanan akong blueprint malapit sa school mo kaya sabay na tayo."
"Okay po!" nagagalak kong sabi at binilisan na ang pagkain.
My eyes probably twinkled because of too much happiness. Ever since I learned how to commute around Manila, my parents stopped driving me to school. Sometimes I would ask myself if it's a good thing that I learned how to be independent or not. I felt like I had not lived my life as their daughter to the fullest. And since it was a rare occasion, I knew I shouldn't take it for granted.
BINABASA MO ANG
Against Alter
Science FictionAs if willed by fate, college students Elrond and Elora find themselves connecting through Alter--a popular dating app among the youth. But when they discover that their realities aren't what they seem to be, can they be brave enough to risk it all...