First Love

Prologue

Prologue

"Baby ko… kain na ng breakfast..."

I chuckled at Ate Nina and composed myself before I went down to eat our breakfast. I saw Mom and Dad start eating without me, I couldn't care less because they’re always like that. I sat in my chair where Mom was in front of me and Dad was in the middle.

Tanging mga kubyertos lang ang tumutunog sa buong bahay. Tumingin ako kay Ate Nina at ang kakambal niyang si Ate Nira, palihim silang ngumiti sa akin. Limang taon na silang nagtatrabaho sa amin kaya malapit ako sa kanilang dalawa dahil lagi namang wala ang Mama at Papa.

Nagbaba ako ng tingin.

"I heard that your card was released yesterday." I snapped out when Mom said that.

I know what she really meant by that. Hindi ako nakatulog kagabi kakaisip kung ano ang sasabihin niya sa grades ko but I don’t have any other choice so I just sighed and calm myself. I picked up my phone and I opened the file that my professor sent me and I gave my phone to her. 

Katatapos lang ng first semester, I am in my 11th grade. Lahat naman ng subject ko ay naglalaro lamang sa 92 and 93 but I know it isn’t enough for her, she wants a 98 grade and above. She didn’t know how hard I studied, especially now that online class isn't working for me or… should I say for all of us.

So, 98 and above grade is fucking next to impossible.

But I can’t say that in front of her, of course...

I was waiting for her to burst her anger out but it didn’t come. So, I looked up as she continued eating. I looked at Dad who smiled warmly at me after looking at my grades. 

"Congrats, Abigail..." I smiled a little.

Mom didn't speak, instead she elegantly stood up, getting ready to leave.

"Maria." Dad's authoritative voice filled the room. 

I sighed. Here we go again.

"Let's go. We will be late."

"Maria… please?" He pleaded.

"What do you want me to say?"

Dad sighed and stood up. He kissed my cheeks and apologized. I just nodded. Nauna ng lumabas si Mom sa teresa. I didn’t move. Sinundan siya ni Dad hanggang sa labas ng bahay, bakas ang galit sa bawat apak. Hindi ako gumalaw sa kinaroroonan ko habang naririnig ko silang nag-aaway sa labas. Naramdaman ko ang tingin nila Ate Nira at Nina sa akin. 

"Stop, Simon! She wants to be a Doctor and if that's the case she will never survive Med School, her grade is not enough! It's humiliating!"

Sanay na ako at alam kong sanay na rin sila.

My Mom and Dad are medical doctors. They are always outside, to the point that I thought they forgot that they have a daughter but I understand… people need them even though I need them too.

I went upstairs and wore an oversized hoodie, plugged my Airpods on, put my hood up and I put on a face mask to be safe. Nagpaalam ako kay Ate Nina na maglalakad-lakad lang ako. I adjust my glasses as the wind meets my snowy dove skin and my shoulder length brunette hair.

Mom has always been like that since I was young. I never want to be a Doctor, but Mom wants me to take that and if that's the only way for her to be proud of me…  then I am more than willing to take that path and besides I have no dreams and that is the most practical path to choose. I always cry at first, always overthinking at night. But, sadly… I just got used to it.

It’s not right, and It’s not healthy.

But, she’s my Mom.

And I love her.

I sat at the benches in front of the gazebo of our subdivision. I smiled as I looked at the buildings far away from me. 

This place never failed to calm me down.

This is my secret place.

Wala masyadong pumupunta dito dahil dulo na ito ng subdivision at kumakalat ang balita na may nagpapakita raw dito dahil may taong nahulog na daw sa dulo ng bundok na ito.

I don’t believe in ghosts. Ghosts are just so childish… I mean, I don't know, I just don't believe in them, maybe because I haven't seen one in my life.

I closed my eyes as I felt the sound of the dancing trees around me. I really love the sound of nature… It's just so calming and relaxing. I can totally listen to it all day long.

"Psst, bata..."

My brows furrowed. What was that?

"Psst, bata. Anong ginagawa mo dito? Bawal ka dito ah?"

What the fuck?

I turned around and I saw a man with curly hair holding his bike. His eyes narrowed while staring at me, probably adjusting his eyes because of the light in front of me. Ten seconds later, his eyes widened and his ears turned red.

I stare at him blankly. "Did you just call me bata?" 

His eyes widened before he puffed out his cheek, tapping his hands while holding the bike's steering wheel. "Akala ko kasi-"

"Whatever." I stood up, pulling my hood in my head and rolled my eyes at him before lightly bumping his shoulder. 

I don't want to waste my time. I really like this place because I'm alone and know that someone is here, I would rather be in my room than here.

"Sungit," I heard him whisper.

I rolled my eyes.

I pick up my phone to check all the lessons I need to study for this day. It's sunday so there's no class. That's why I can do whatever I want but after what happened earlier this morning… I felt so guilty if I didn't study, so my plan is to just study the whole day and fucking drain myself.

I kicked the rock in front of me and dared myself to kick it until I'm in front of our house.

How dare I say that ghosts are childish when I am here walking beside the road, kicking some rock. So childish.

"Miss!"

I looked back. It was the man with curly hair minutes ago. I furrowed my brows. He stopped his bike meters away from me. 

I didn't talk.

Did I supposed to?

"Naiwan mo 'yung salamin mo…"

I looked at his hand carefully holding my eyeglasses. 

He smiled at me.

He's cute. I looked at his curly hair that really goes with his face. He has this friendly eyes that you will think that he’s the type of guy who is everyone’s friend. I think he's older than me, probably because of his height and even though he looks playful he also looks so mature.

He doesn’t seem comfortable anymore because I’ve been staring at him for a few minutes so I look away. Ayoko rin naman na tinititigan ako.

"Thanks." I said and turned my back at him.