Bay of Strangers (Manila Girls #2)

Kabanata 1

Kabanata 1

Stranger

I always admired the beauty of a sunset's glow. I always wondered about its unpredictable hues. Sometimes its purple and blue, sometimes it's grey and gloomy, sometimes it's soft pastel hues like cotton candy and unicorn tears.

But right now, this one is my particular favorite. Everything is perfect, like how it should be. From the burning color of orange across the horizon, to the soothing kiss of Mid-April's wind against my skin that felt like a soft caress, and the aroma of fresh cornflower emanating from my room calmed the raging noise inside my head.

Sometimes—these are the only things that kept me sane.

"Happy legality, Lei..." Hinagkan ako ni Papa. Naka coat and tie siya, kakauwi lamang nila ni Mama galing sa isang pribadong pagtitipon ng mga miyembro ng Manila Yacht Club.

"Thanks, Papa."

"Your mother's already working on her vanity. I think you should do the same."

"Vanna will be here any minute, Papa."

"Are you sure you don't want your mother's glam team to fix you up?"

"No need, Papa."

It's only an intimate birthday celebration with our families—Osmeña from my mother's side and the Ortegas from my paternal lineage. Ang alam ko'y dadalo rin ang ilang mga kadikit naming pamilya, at siyempre hindi naman mawawala ang mga kapartido nina Mama at Papa. This is because both of my parents are politically inclined. My mother is a congresswoman and my father is a senator.

Ang tanging inaabangan ko lang sa selebrasyon na ito ay makakainom ako ng wine at champagne. Madalas kasi pinagbabawalan ako nina Mama at tuwing may importanteng okasyon lang ako nakakatikim ng wine.

Kadalasan, naiinggit ako sa mga kaibigan ko kasi sila, nakakainom sila kung kailan nila gusto at madalas ay malaya silang gawin ang gusto nila. Hindi naman sa nagrereklamo ako. I already have the best of both worlds and I have everything I will ever need, but sometimes it isn't enough, sometimes we always strive and desire for more. 

Pag-alis ni Papa, sumunod naman ang nakatatanda kong kapatid.

"Bye, Lei! Happy birthday. See you later." Atticus—my brother, tapped my shoulder.

I frowned. How nice is his greetings, huh? Naabot ko ang braso niya at tumikhim.

"Saan ka pupunta?"

"Conrad Manila. Mag re-review kami ni Zina."

"Review?" I glanced at the minimalist clock tower just beside my plunge pool.

"I'm helping her with some digests."

I smiled and released him. Umatras ako at umupo sa aking couch.

My brother's studying Legal Management in Ateneo de Manila University. Sa mga ganitong panahon, madalas ang uwi niya rito sa Manila kahit pa may sarili siyang condo sa Katipunan. At ang kaibigan kong si Zina ay kasundo niya rin, palibhasa'y parehas sila ng kurso at matagal na ring magkakilala.

"Pero pupunta ka sa dinner?"

"Of course! It's your birthday!"

"Edi sandali lang ang review niyo ni Zina?"

"Yeah... I won't miss your birthday for anything."

"Kahit para kay Zina?" Ngisi ko.

He chuckled. His light brown tousled hair reminds me of a Hollywood actor. His crimson lips, aristocratic nose, fair skin, and his eyes resembled a sweet boy next door type of boy. He's a different kind of dangerous. He's the one who'll sweep you off of your feet without a warning. Madalas silang pagkumparahin ng pinsan kong si Fitcher. Pero magkaibang-magkaiba sila. Atticus is sweet. Fitcher's a real fuckboy. I won't sugarcoat it.