Memento

Special Chapter: Second Love 1

(POV of Teodoro "Teddy" Retana, Andie's second boyfriend turned husband)

If you ask me who my first love is, one name comes to mind.

Anna Diana Miranda. Andie for short. Bunsong anak ng may-ari ng Luxuriant Department Store sa Makati. Kilala siya bilang miyembro ng isang mayamang angkan.

High school batchmate ko siya. Naging kaklase ko siya noong second year. Unang kita ko pa lang sa kanya, nakaramdam na ako ng kakaibang emosyon sa aking dibdib. Araw-araw akong pumapasok sa klase at palihim siyang tinitignan kapag may pagkakataon. Hindi kumpleto ang aking araw kung di ko man lang nasilayan ang kanyang ngiti at marinig man lang ang kanyang tawa tuwing nakikipag-usap siya sa kanyang mga kaibigan.

Looks-wise, Andie is perfect. Smooth fair skin, straight black hair, big eyes, a narrow nose that gives away her half-Spanish heritage, and thin lips that can curl into a smile or a naughty smirk. I have studied her face long enough to have memorized it in my head. I would dream that one day, she will notice me and have her smiles reserved only for me.

But she doesn't know I exist. Or rather, she doesn't care about my existence. I was this thin guy, somewhat nerdy and always buried in my school books. Meanwhile, Andie was my exact opposite. Sure, she was smart. She actually got good grades and was even in the Top 10 in class. But, she's known for being a troublemaker. Nahuli na nga iyan na nag-cutting kasama ang dalawa niyang magulong kaibigan. Pero parang wala lang sa kanya na may sanction siya.

I once caught her sneaking inside the school premises after lunch hour. Kakagaling ko lang sa CR nang tumatakbo siya sa hallway at nabangga niya ako.

"Ow!" Sigaw niya. Napahawak siya sa balikat ko at agad kong sinapo ang kanyang mga braso.

Nagkatitigan kami saglit. I felt my heart going crazy, beating way faster than usual. We were so close to each other. I got a good look at her face, with her clear skin, her searching brown eyes looking apprehensive at me, and those lips slightly parted. Her long hair was tied in a messy ponytail, with loose strands framing her face.

"Sorry," bulong ko.

"Ay, pasensiya na!" Natawa siya sabay layo sa akin. "Retana, huwag mo sasabihin sa class adviser natin na galing ako sa labas." She untied her ponytail and finger-combed her loose strands into place, then tied her hair again.

"Nag-cutting ka ulit?" Tanong ko. Tumingin ako sa paligid. Buti walang nakakarinig sa amin ngayon o maski teacher na dumadaan.

"Oo," sagot niya. She straightened her white collared button-down blouse with blue ribbon and smoothened her pleated knee-length blue skirt. "Gusto ko lang, bored kasi ako ngayon at niyaya ako nila Yolly na mag-mall sa Makati. Ito, kakabalik ko lang." She clutched her tote bag on her shoulder.

"Di ba na-suspend ka na for cutting classes?" Paalala ko.

"Oo," she snickered. "Pero I can get away with it. Bayaran ko na lang adviser natin at principal para di nila sabihin sa parents ko. Mautak ako!"