Aligning the Stars (GXG)

I - The First Meet

Astrea

It has been minutes of walking around the place before I could even distinguish where my feet has led me.

The wind was blowing and the trees rustled in the background, creating a sense of unease. The smell of freshly cut grass tickled my nose and I could feel the sun on my skin. But despite the warmth, I still felt empty inside.

I let out a scowl as soon as I realized where I was.

What kind of University has a playground? Ano ba ang mga tao dito? Bata?

It really doesn't make sense.

But as if I have a choice.

I'd rather stay here, as it seems like it's empty.

I sat on one of the swings and unconsciously started swaying together with the wind. At that moment, I felt at ease as I closed my eyes.

Mga ilang minuto din ang tinagal ko rito. My phone kept on buzzing and I already know the reason why. Ngayon kasi ako sinamahan ng Tita ko sa pag enroll dito sa Wesbech.

When she asked me what course I'll be taking, I couldn't even answer the question dahil wala naman talaga akong balak mag-aral sa kolehiyo.

All I wanted.. was to manage my father's restaurant. Kung tutuusin, wala akong pangarap sa buhay simula nung bata pa lang ako.

Masaya ako sa pagmamahal at pag-aaruga na binibigay ng mga magulang ko.

Do'n palang ay kuntento na ako.

..That's why, when I was left alone— tila wala na rin akong dahilan para ituloy din 'tong pesteng buhay na meron ako.

But Tita Sandra became my guardian since then, she's the sister of my Father— Danilo Luceria. And the reason why I'm here in this situation as she talked to whoever that is.

My phone was buzzing non-stop, and I already knew the reason behind it. Pilit ko man na wag pansinin ang mga texts ni Tita ay wala naman akong choice kundi tignan ang mga ito.

And of course, I got multiple questions about my whereabouts.

Tita S.
Astrea, asan ka na? can you please
come back here? Kausap ko
na si Maricar, she's the friend
in the Academic Affairs that
I was talking about.

It would be rude if you didn't
show up.
11:34 am

I groaned in annoyance as I replied with a thumbs up emoji before putting it back to my pocket. I composed myself first, and took a few deep breaths while closing my eyes.

Pero unti-unti ko ding binuksan ang mga mata ko nung naramdaman ko ang maliliit na patak ng ulan sa braso ko.

Makulimlim na ang kalangitan at lumalakas na din ang simoy ng hangin.

Doon ko na rin napagpasyahan na tumayo at aalis na sana nang bigla nalang akong may nakitang babae na tumatakbo sa hindi kalayuan, tila ba may hinahabol ito at halata din na aligaga siya.

"Moon!" She was shouting.. a name? "Moonie, come out now."

Nakatalikod siya sa'kin kaya hindi niya ako kita, my phone was buzzing again and I know na si Tita ulit 'yon. Geez, can she take a few minutes to wait for me?

I looked back at the woman who was still searching for something as she kept calling the name 'Moon', naghahanap na ito sa ibang sulok ng playground.

Hindi ko naman ugaling tumulong ng iba kaya nagkibit-balikat na lamang ako at paalis na sana sa ibang direksyon dahil ayoko namang itanong niya pa sa'kin. Because obviously, I haven't seen what she was looking for.