What if we? (HAESOO Alternate Universe)

Hana.

Maya's P.O.V

I saw myself again,

running around in a dormitory,

answering phone calls for different students,

visiting an old rice cake shop,

and folding a paper plane.

I was sure it was me. She really looked like me.

But the difference is, she looks rather sad.

She acts like she's strong,

but I can feel her pain deep inside.

It was a subtle pain, though. It was as if she was mad at something but was forced to hide it and live a forced happy life.

Is it really me?

Or is it just my imagination,

again?

Those were the last words I managed to write in my diary when I heard a soft knock on the door.

Heaving a deep sigh, I stood and walked away from my study table, only to open the door for my Nanay Issa.

"Nay..."

"Pasensya na, 'nak, alam kong nagpapahinga ka. Pero yung Daddy mo kasi pinapapunta ka sa study room niya."

Nanay Issa is the senior housekeeper at home, but her main task is to care for me. Since I can remember, she has been with me, and she already knows what I hate and like to do around this house.

"Is it because of that exchange student program again? Please tell him I'm busy, nay."

I subtly dismissed her because I didn't want to argue with my dad about this again.

"P-pero, 'nak, nandun kasi si ano--"

Oh. That caught my attention.

"The witch?"

Nanay Issa nodded nervously and whispered,

"Baka ano na naman ang pinaplano ng bruha na yun."

I laughed at what my Nanay called my stepmother and patted her shoulder to calm her.

"Don't worry, nay. I can handle her wickedness."

I gave her a reassuring smile and went out of my room. While walking down the corridor, I met my stepbrother, who was beaming at me.

"Hey, baby sis, what's up?"

"Dad called for me again. Do you have any idea why, Kuya?"

He acted like he was thinking for a moment but then shook his head.

"Nah, though may nabanggit sakin si Mom about sending you to another school. Please don't tell me papayag ka?"

"Kuya, it was your mom who decided that for me. Bakit hindi ako papayag?"

Puzzled by my answer, he looked at me with speculative eyes and whispered,

"Are you planning something wicked?"

Oh, he really knows me well.

"Are you going to stop me?"

Knowing that it was his biological mom we were talking about, I gazed suspiciously and raised my eyebrow at him.

"Since when did I take her side? You'll have my support, baby sis. Have you forgotten? I promised your mom that I would protect you, whatever, whenever, and whoever tries to harm you. So yeah, just tell me how I can help. Alright?"