Nothing Like Us

NLU: One

North

I came off from a well-known family, being a cousin of a business tycoon, a lot of us are pressured to be successful in our way. Being an Eisler is just as hard as being a Zoyle, Castillo, or Concepcion. Our family did not have big businesses like what their family-owned, but we're business partners. We have businesses of our own, but we were never big in the business world because we excel in a different world.

I entered modeling at a young age, high school pa lang ako ng sabihin sakin ng nanay ni Martin na pwede raw akong model, at syempre bilang sila ang may ari ng isang modeling agency sa bansa, agad naman akong pumayag maging model nung inalok akong subukan.

I entered the limelight at a young age and was used to it since then, for me, hindi naman mahirap. Since I enjoy doing everything, putting on different clothes, dressing up, posing on the camera, shooting a commercial. It's fun, so I guess that's a factor why I can deal with the people when the spotlight is on you.

Besides, nandyan din naman mga pinsan ko para suportahan ako sa kailangan ko. It felt fulfilling, to earn your own money at a young age. What's bothering me is the lack of privacy that comes along with fame. It feels suffocating and exhausting. Madalas may nakakakilala sakin sa labas kaya maraming lumalapit, sometimes even in dinner with my family and friends. So most of the time, we prefer staying in Winter's penthouse along with our friends to hang out.

It's tough, being in a situation where you no longer hold any privacy in your life. But at the same time, it felt okay because I'm surrounded by amazing people. Winter also led me to meet Yanika, which made my life a lot easier during the time na gusto ko na mag quit ng modeling. She's friends with Winter because they have the same best friend named Luna. She's bubbly and cheerful, when I feel tired of what I'm doing, she'd always cheer me up. Nakakahawa yung ka-hyperan ng babaeng 'to. Kaya ko rin siguro siya nagustuhan.

Yup, I fell in love with her. I still remember the first time we met, they are already friends during high school. Bago pa mabuo ang DFv2, magkakaibigan na sina Yanyan, Winter at Luna. I remember they would always drop by Winter's house to do projects, at si Yanyan yung pinaka maingay sa kanila. She's pretty and energetic, even though she's loud. That's why one day when I went to visit my cousin and saw that they were busy with school work. She's the first person I noticed, as she stands out.

I've liked her since then, and I often visit Winter's house because of her. I became friends with Luna and Yanika eventually, and I've only been liking her in secret. Takot akong umamin na gusto ko siya, dahil baka bigla niya akong layuan. I don't want to risk the friendship that we've built.

But then, if I don't man up for these feelings I'd end up regretting it. So I decided to tell her what I feel during college.

—

I picked her up in school so we could hang out with my sister Yumi, katatapos lang ng shoot ko and I was waiting for her at the car park of her school.

So I try to browse through my socials while waiting for her, to kill time. Agad ko namang nalaman na nandyan na siya ng may narinig akong tumili. Napangiti nalang ako dahil doon, "Northyyy! Na-miss kita! Excited na ko kanina pa dahil nag text kang dadaan ka dito!" She said with so much excitement in her voice.

"I missed you too, Yanyan. Tara na?" I replied with a huge smile. Napaka-hyper talaga nitong babae na to. But I wouldn't like her any less because of it. Her energy is what I've been attracted too, as she shines bright and stands out because of it.

Si Yanika yung babaeng kahit ayaw mong pansinin, ay mapapansin mo ng sadya. She's radiating with so much energy that she will actually catch people's attention. Ganun siya.

That's also why I knew that she will be a great model. Hindi lang siya basta maganda, she's radiant. The limelight loves her.

She nodded as a response to my question, so I went to open the door for her. "Yanyan.." I said to get her attention.

Agad naman siyang napatingin sakin saka ngumiti, "Bakit Northy?" She replied, still showing a bright smile.

I just shrugged, as she enters the passenger seat of my car. Kaya umikot na ako sa kabila para sumakay din. I started the car but haven't moved an inch.

I heaved a deep sigh, and looked at her. "I like you," I said confessing my feelings. Huminga ako ng malalim at saka nagpatuloy, "I started liking you during highschool, kaya hindi na ako sigurado. I think I'm already in love with you, Yanyan."

Halatang nagulat siya sa sinabi ko, pero pinamulahan din ng mukha. I hope I didn't make it awkward between us. I just wanted to tell her, hindi naman ako nage-expect ng sagot. O na mahalin niya ako pabalik.

After a while, she smiled. "Gusto din kita." She said as her smile grew wider, at saka umiling. "No, mahal din kita Northy." She paused after saying those words na para bang nahihiya pa siya sa sinabi niya sa akin.

While me? I was caught off guard. Never in my entire existence knew that this will happen. Sinabi ko lang naman din sakanya ang nararamdaman ko dahil ayaw ko na 'tong itago.

She took a deep breath and continued, "Pero alam mo naman diba? Kailangan ko muna mag focus sa pag-aaral bago pumasok sa kahit anong relasyon." She added, as her smile disappeared slowly. Maybe feeling sad that I might get disappointed of what she's saying.

But that didn't matter to me, ang mahalaga pareho ang nararamdaman naming dalawa. Kaya ko namang mag antay. Kahit gaano pa katagal. Basta para sa kanya.

Agad akong umiling saka ngumiti, "Don't be sad, it's okay. I confessed, that's it. We don't have to be together, knowing that we feel the same way towards each other is enough for me." I said, looking at her to explain. "Mag-aantay ako. Hanggang sa maka-graduate tayo pareho." I added still smiling.

This is more than enough for me. Knowing that she feels the same way, is a great assurance that this feelings are worth it. I will wait.

Until I can finally say she's mine. I will wait. She's worth the wait.

A/N: I did not proofread anything in this chap. So apologies for grammar lapses and typos. Thank you!