Alex's POV
"I will let you study dentistry but be sure to study well. You will join the army immediately after you finish." Ma-autoridad na sabi ng ama ko sa kabilang linya.
"Yes pa." Agad na pagsang-ayon ko. Hindi makakadalo ang ama ko sa aking graduation bukas dahil sa sobrang busy nito sa trabaho, he just call me to inform his decision. My father is the second highest rank in Philippine amry.
My father trained me and my siblings to listen carefully and answer directly. He doesn't like to repeat his words, one word is enough.
I do the same. That's why people respect me in school, for me rules is rules. They see me as cold and strict student council president.
"Alexandra. Congratulation."
Napalingon ako kay kuya Arthur. "Kuya." I smile and excitedly hug him. "I'm glad to see you." He's wearing his PNP uniform. "Mabuti naman at dumalaw ka dito sa bahay. Alam ba ni mama na pupunta ka?"
"No. May conference kami ngayon malapit lang kaya dumiretso na ako dito. And i want to see you to give this." Inabot nya ang isang sobre. "My gift for your graduation."
I casually take his gift. "Thank you."
I have two siblings. My brother Arthur who's 8 years older than me and working as a police officer and my sister Ariel who's 10 years older than me, she's a doctor but working in Philippine Army. That's our family, kaya noon pa lang alam ko na ang kapalaran ko.
But first i want to fulfill my dream to become a dentist.
"Syanga pala sabihin mo lang sa akin kung saan mo gustong magbakasyon. I will let you enjoy the freedom before going to college. Baka sa susunod magkaroon ka na ng boyfriend."
"This cash is enough." I just ignore what he said.
"Ok. Go out with your friends. Aalis na ako pakisabi na lang kay mama na dumaan ako ha." He hugged me tight. "Please enjoy."
'I don't have a friend.'
I smiled. "Thanks kuya."
After makaalis ni kuya pumunta ako sa kwarto ko at tinago sa drawer ang binigay nito.
Humiga ako sa kama at tumingin sa cellphone ko.
I read Maxine's text. Kung ano-ano na naman ang pinagsasabi dahil ibinalik ko ang mga binigay nyang regalo.
Naalala ko ang ginawa nya kanina. Hindi ko na mabilang kung ilang beses nya na akong ninakawan ng halik.
'Answer my call or else i will go to your house.'
Bigla akong napabangon sa nabasa.
Crazy calling...
I sighed. I answered the call, not because I was scared I just want her to stop.
"Alex?"
I remain silent.
"I hate you. I really hate you." With her calm and sobbing voice. "Sana tinapon mo na lang bakit kelangan ibalik mo pa?"
Hindi ako sumagot. I lay down again and close my eyes.
"Please talk to me." Tuluyan na itong umiyak. "Don't you really like me?"
I still choose not to answer.
"Fine. I won't bother you again. Maybe it's better to forget you." Maxine ended the call.
Napamulat ang mata ko sa narinig.
Really Maxine?
What a brat!
1 year ago..
Ipinarada ko ang aking Army Green Jeep Wrangler di kalayuan sa hacienda ng mga Lopez. It's Maxine's birthday. I already told her that i'm busy but for some reason i just find myself driving 124 miles.
I'm here to grant her wish. She said that my presence will be her best gift ever.
Honestly i'm confused, did i grant her wish because she make it sound like i am the most important person on her birthday or because i have a blood of strict but kind person?
Kinuha ko ang cellphone ko. Should i call her or just stay her?
Maraming sasakyan ang nasa labas kaya sigurado marami syang bisita ngayon.
Tiningnan ko ang mukha ko sa salamin at tinali ang mahaba kong buhok.
I decided to call her.
"Happy birthday Maxine." Bungad kong bati ng sagutin nito ang tawag.
"Alex!" She excitedly said my name. "Oh my god. Thank you."
I smiled. "Andito ako sa labas. Ahmm, i just want to greet you personally."
"Wait lalabas na ako hintayin mo ako."
Lumabas ako ng sasakyan. "Ok i'm standing outside my car."
Pinatay ko ang tawag nang makita si Maxine na papalapit.
Maxine's dress is so elegant that makes her more beautiful.
"Alex." Agad niya akong niyakap. "I'm so happy. Thank you for coming. Tara pumasok tayo sa loob ipakikilala kita sa parents ko." Hinila nya ang kamay ko.
I stopped. "No. Pumunta lang ako dito para batiin ka. Remember what you said that my presence will be your best gift, i was just granting your wish. I don't need to go inside."
Nawala ang kaninay malapad nitong ngiti. "But --."
"Wait i have a gift for you." Pumasok ulit ako sa sasakyan para kunin ang regalo ko.
Sumunod naman si Maxine sa loob. "I don't need that." She angrily said. "Kahit ano pang ibigay mo hindi ko tatanggapin."
Tiningnan ko ang maliit na box sa kamay ko. I bought her a bracelet.
"All i want is you." She cupped my face and give my lips a quick emphatic kiss "I love you Alex."
I'm stunned. Not because of what she said. Dahil ilang beses ko ng narinig yan sa kanya.
Now she just kissed my lips! That was my first kiss.
"W-why did you do that?" Nalilito kong tanong.
"I said i love you."
I could feel my lips trembling. "Are you out of your fucking mind? Pareho tayong babae for god sake!"
"So what? My parents are both woman."
Umiwas ako sa mga mata nya. Yeah, alam ko na parehong babae ang mga magulang niya. "I know. But we're different. Hindi kita gusto."
Tumawa ito na parang hindi naniniwala. "You like me too you just couldn't accept it. Hindi ka pupunta dito ng ganito kalayo kung hindi mo ako gusto."
"I want us to be friends even though i don't like your attitude." Galit kong wika. "You know what, i was wrong sana hindi na lang ako pumunta dito."
What i've said was true, i don't have friends but now i wanted to have one.
Maxine is the only person who's not afraid of me, she talks to me without hesitation. That's why i thought, maybe we can be friends though our characters are totally different.
"Gusto mo akong maging kaibigan kahit alam mong may gusto ako sayo?"
Hindi ako sumagot.
"I want us to be lovers not friends."
"That's not gonna happen." I started the engine. "Uuwi na ako." I said without looking at her.
"Fine. I won't bother you again!" Galit itong lumabas sa sasakyan.
Brat!
♾️
