Riding The Waves (Fortalejo Clan #1)

Prologue

"Miss Hemera! Miss Hemera!"

Pilit nagtutulakan ang mga reporter at bahagya narin akong nasisilaw sa sunod-sunod na flashes ng camera.

"Can we have a little talk with you regarding your stay here in Hawaii?"

Mabuti na lamang at marami ang mga security guard na nakapalibot sa'kin para hindi nila ako malapitan. Muntik pa ngang mahaklit ng isa sa kanila ang buhok ko dahil desperado silang makakuha ng impormasyon mula sa'kin.

I shook my head with a blank expression on my face.

"No, I'm sorry."

The security guard on my right side leaned in closer to whisper something on my ears.

"Ma'am, you have an interview scheduled for today. The certain reporter is already waiting in the parking lot of the hotel." Bulong niya.

Tumango ako. "Thank you."

Mabibilis ang mga hakbang na ginawa ko para makapasok agad sa SUV na kulay itim. Magco-convoy lang ang dalawang SUV at nandoon sa ikalawang SUV ang karamihan sa guard na kasama ko.

"Let's go." Sabi ko sa driver kaya mabilis itong tumalima at nilisan ang lugar kung saan nagkaroon ng kumpetisyon sa loob ng tatlong araw.

I won a gold medal in the competition. I feel so happy. I never thought that what's my heart's been beating for is just in front of my eyes all along. Sinayang ko ang ilang taon kong pagsubsob ng sarili sa sobrang pag-aaral at hindi pinaglaanan ng panahon maging masaya pero wala naman akong pinagsisisihan sa lahat ng iyon.

Because in the middle of all that, I met him.

"Hoy!" Napalingon ako sa likuran ko at nakita ang nakapameywang na si Heart.

Bahagya pang naka-angat ang kilay nito habang tinitignan ako.

"What?" I nonchalantly asked and continued eating my potato chips.

Ipinatong ko pa ang dalawa kong paa sa itaas ng center table habang pinapanood ang interview ko sa telebisyon.

"So, Miss Hemera, how long have you been planning to stay here in Hawaii?" anang reporter.

"Well, I certainly don't know yet. But, I'm enjoying my stay here. And all the people who see me keeps on asking for a picture, that is just so overwhelming!"

"Pahingi nga 'ko," Lumapit si Heart sa direksyon ko at naupo sa tabi ko. Dumakot siya ng potato chips. "I thought you're finally going back? Nagpupumilit nga sa'kin makipag-face time si Aether pero 'di ko pinagbigyan." Nag-ngising aso siya at isinubo ang potato chips na hawak.

"Oo nga. Babalik naman ako. If I know, my twin just misses me so much." Napailing ako at muling tumuon ang paningin sa telebisyon sa aming harapan.

"As a most popular surfer, do you think you can show your audience more of your surfing tricks the next time you compete? You just won a gold medal a day ago! How does it feel?"

"Uh, it's extremely heart felt and I'm really utterly speechless. As for the surfing tricks, all I could say is stay tuned."

Tumawa ang reporter at muling nagtanong.

"That's so funny of you! Okay, here's the last question. There goes a rumor spreading that you've been recently seen being intimate with the rockstar Alan Stylo? Are you two dating?"

I wet my dry lips before answering her question. "Ah, no. That's probably a myth that some people wanted to feed their minds."

Humarap sa camera ang reporter. "You hear that, people? Our famous surfer Hemera Fortalejo just denied the rumors! Your bubbles must be bursted by now." She then turned to look at me again.