Promdi Girls

Chapter 1

Ailana's POV

I have never been in Manila, or had I?

All I know is that Tita Alvira won't allow me to go there. I don't know what's her reasons, she won't tell me either. Ilang beses na kaming nagtatalo tungkol diyan, at paulit-ulit lang yung isasagot niya sakin.

"It's for your own good Isobelle," she said calmly and massaged the bridge of her nose while eyes closed. Pagod na sa paulit-ulit naming pagtatalo tungkol dito.

"Why? Ano bang meron sa Manila? Bakit hindi ito mabuti para sakin? Tita, let me understand please." I said pleadingly. "I want to study there, nag-apply po ako ng scholarship at nakapasa-"

"You what?" gulat na sabi ni Tita. Nanlaki ang mga matang nakatingin sa'kin. Hindi ko sinabi sa kanya ang tungkol dito, ngayon lang.

"I'll study in Manila, whether you like it or not." I said calmly, desidido na sa desisyon ko. "I can work there-"

"No!" putol ni tita sakin. Anger was evident on her face. "Alam mong ayokong pumunta kang Manila, you are staying here!" mariing sabi niya at agad na umakyat sa taas. Ayaw ng marinig ang kahit ano pang sasabihin ko.

I was shocked at her sudden outburst. Hindi ko pa nakita si tita na ganun kagalit. She was never hard on me, she treated me like her own daughter. Sa usaping Manila lang talaga kami hindi nagkakasundo.

Hindi ko siya maintindihan. I can't think any plausible reason why she won't let me go there.

I know it's not because of financial issues. She has lot of businesses that she managed, her husband is also a good doctor here in Laguna.

Kaya wala talaga akong maisip na kahit anong rason kung bakit ayaw niya akong papuntahin sa Manila.

My father is also from Manila, she told me we once live there with my Mom. Minsan ko na ring naisip na, hindi kaya may kinalaman ang childhood ko dito?

May nangyari ba noon na hindi ko maalala?

I can't remember anything from my childhood memories, even my parents. I can't remember their faces, but Tita Alvira told me that they died because of a car accident when I was 9. Everytime I tried to remember it, I'll just feel my head throbbing, na minsan ko na ring tinanong kay tita.

She will just tell me that I need rest and not to stress myself. Ayaw ko mang maramdaman pero minsan talaga I feel like, she's hiding something from me.

Hindi ko maiwasang makaramdam na parang may kulang sakin.

I asked her last time that I want to see my parent's grave. But she told me that their bodies were burned.

"Oh, kain ka muna." biglang sumulpot si Hugo sa tabi ko na may isang basong fishball na inabot sakin.

"Thanks,"

Nasa labas kami ng school ngayon, kung saan may mga nagtitinda na streetfoods. Pauwi na kami ngayon at hinihintay nalang sila Seah dito sa labas.

"Lalim ng iniisip mo ah," sabi niya habang ngumunguya.

Natawa lang ako at napailing. Walang planong sabihin sakanya kung ano ang mga naisip ko. He was my other friend here, bukod kina Seah. Even if we are close friends, hindi ko maopen up sa kanila tungkol dun. Nauunahan ako ng takot na mahusgahan. Kay Hugo ko lang magawang magkwento.

A long stretched of silence was between us so I decided to talk.

"San ka magkokolehiyo?"

Bumaling siya sakin at ngumiti.

"Manila," nanlaki ang mga mata ko sa gulat at agad nakaramdam ng saya na hindi lang sina Seah yung makakasama ko dun!

"Nakapasa ako sa scholarship na tinake ko." dugtong niya pa nang nanatili akong gulat.