NISHI'S POV:
"Is tita and tito here, Khael?" Tanong ni Harris.
Harris Neville Dizon (23), 4th year BCA - Political Science, son of Governor Henery Dizon and Mayor Nillie Dizon. He came from the family of politicians, but they owned several resorts here in our country. Our families had been friends and partners in business for more than a decade. And that explains the friendship we have had since we were kids.
We're currently here in front of our house, kasama ko mga kaibigan ko.
"Wala, they are currently in the UK. Important meeting." Simpleng sagot ko. He just nodded in response.
Pumasok na kami sa loob ng bahay. They are here because napagplanohan namin na mag group study at mag sleepover.
Even though we took different courses, we can still somehow help each other with our studies.
"Khael, I'll ask the chef to cook us something for our dinner late. Susunod nalang ako sa room mo." Ethan said.
Ethan Kiel Anderson (21), 3rd year BS - Business Administration, my cousin. He is the son of my mother's older brother, Miko Gian Anderson, and his wife Kimberly Fey Anderson. They own the school we attended. Also, they owned several hotels and restaurants in the country. And just like Harris, we've also been so close since we were on diapers.
I just hummed and nodded my head as the answer to Ethan.
"Khael, Xiro just called. Papunta na daw siya dito." Pagpaalam ni Harris.
Xiro Jace Montezo (21), 3rd year BS - Civil Engineering. His parents are big shot lawyers and prosecutors, Atty. Jiro Ace Montezo and Prosecutor Xena Angela Montezo, who topped the board. They owned the famous Law Firm in the country. Aside from that, they also owned a real estate, and that's the reason why Xiro took Civil Engineering as his course.
Nagtungo na kami papuntang kwarto ko sa taas. Sumunod naman sa'kin si Harris bitbit ang trolley bag niya. They'll be staying here for only 2 days and 1 night.
At 'di po puro damit nasa bag niya, kun'di mga libro po. He brought a separate backpack for his clothes and other necessities.
Binuksan ko agad ang pinto ng kwarto ko, at bumungad sa'min ang malaking silid with a black and white interior. I'm an architecture student so makikita mo sa room ko ang corner kung nasaan lahat ng materials ko with my PC. I also have book shelves na punong puno ng random academic books, since failure is not welcome in this family.
I am Nishi Mikhael Light von Villadez, the von Villadez holder. We have had this rule in our family since then. The von Villadez holder, the person who is bound to inherit the fortune of the family, or what people called the heir. And as the heir of this family, a mistake is not an option, tears should not be shed, and the heart should not be soft. And that's how our family remained as the Elite family for centuries. You should be perfect and strong, because if you're not you won't survive being part of this family.
My daddylo is the most successful business man and engineer all over Asia and Europe. My mommyla is a successful businesswoman at the age of 25. My dad became a successful business man at the age of 24, and followed the footsteps of daddylo. And my mom, the most successful architect in the world. She topped the board exam the moment she took it for the first time, and that was when she was 21 years old.
Their success has been the standard of the family. You'll have no choice but to fight to survive.
I have an only sibling, Nikka Yesha Villadez (18), grade 12 STEM. The only hope, reason and source of strength I have in this hellish house.
"Khael!" Sigaw na tawag ni Xiro. He's downstairs at rinig na rinig mo talaga ang boses niya dito sa room ko. Kahit kailan talaga, ang ingay!
Biglang bumukas ang pinto at bumungad sa'min ang pagmumukha ni Xiro kasama si Ethan.
"Napaka-ingay mo talaga kahit kailan, Xiro! Nakakarindi yang boses mo!" Naiiritang reklamo ni Ethan na sabay niyang pumasok.
Xiro just rolled his eyes at nakangiting tumingin sa amin, "Hi Khael! Sorry, biglang dumating kasi sila mom, eh." Nakangiting paliwanag niya.
"By the way, Khael", napalingon naman ako kay Harris.
"Nasa school pa ba si Yasmine? 'Di ko siya napansin dito, eh?" Tanong niya.
"Yes, nagtext siya sa'kin kanina. May tinatapos pa silang project." Sagot ko.
Sinabihan ko lang ang kapatid ko na 'wag magtagal dahil baka mapano pa siya sa labas. I'm quite protective when it comes to my lil' sis.
"Kailangan ko ng simulan 'yong bagong plates ko. Kailangan may maipakita ako kina mom." Sabi ko sabay labas ng notes ko kanina sa class.
I'm tired but I need to finish this first. Mabuti nalang at walang problema sa school dahil baka mapatay ako ng parents ko. It's so ironic.
"You know, Khael? I suggest na magpahinga ka muna, 'di pa naman deadline eh. I mean, malayo pa. You looked like a living zombie, for God's sake!" Laging ganito si Ethan.
I admit, I sometimes envy Ethan. He is so close with his parents, unlike me. Minsan natatanong ko nalang kung talaga bang magkapatid si tito Miko and mom, dahil ang layo talaga ng ugali nila. His parents are both strict, but not as much as mine.
"I'll rest after I finish this, Ethan. You know mom naman diba? Don't worry, I'll finish this in no time. Just feel at home." Pag assure ko sa kanya.
"We're just worried, Khael. You've been pushing yourself too hard. Tapos na ang semis, matagal tagal pa before the finals." Harris said, worry evident in his voice.
"Ok, fine, I'll just finish the design since nasimulan ko na naman to kanina." Pagsuko ko. They then smiled at me.
I really love my friends.
•
We were doing our things, when we heard a knock.
"Señorito, naihanda na po ang meryenda niyo po. Saan po namin ilalapag?" One of our maids asked. Right, Ethan asked them kanina pala to serve us a snack.
"Get in. Just place it on the table in the balcony, thank you." I replied.
Hindi naman locked ang pinto kaya nakapasok sila agad bitbit ang mga meryenda namin.
"Tamang-tama, gutom na ako!" Excited na sabi ni Xiro.
"Alam namin, lagi ka namang gutom, eh!" Sarkastikong sagot naman ni Harris. Xiro just sticks out his tongue at inirapan siya.
Pagkatapos nila, agad naman silang lumabas then nagtungo kami sa balcony to have our fill.
Umupo na kami sa sofa na may round coffee table sa gitna. Medyo spacious ang balcony ng room ko kaya kasya ang sofa na medium size na parang crescent yung form.
" ¡Vamos a comer! " (let's eat!) Masiglang sabi ni Xiro.
And so, we talked about several things related to businesses and acads. We also talked about how our days went and so on.
But suddenly, Harris raised THAT topic.
YOU ARE READING
HOLD MY HAND
RomancePlease, I'm not who you think I am. And I am not who you thought I should be. Let me just rest. I'm so fucking tired! Can someone out there reach out their hand and hold mine? Hold my hand, tightly. And please, don't ever let it go.
