Captive Love

ix.

When I got into my room, I just washed myself off and went downstairs for dinner.

Ako lang mag-isa ang kumain dahil umalis ang parents ko kaninang umaga at late na siguro sila makakauwi. And Kuya texted me recently that he was going somewhere with Chard.

I wasn't sleepy yet, so I decided to paint. It was an abstract work of art. I usually paint portraits and landscapes, so I changed my mood and tried to paint something abstract. I was just putting the finishing touches on it. After that, I cleaned up all the clutter.

I checked the time, and it's almost 11 p.m. I rose from my seat and made my way to the balcony. I was wearing a cream-colored nightgown.

Napayakap ako sa sarili nang makaramdam ng lamig. Hindi naman siguro uulan ngayon dahil marami naman akong nakikitang mga bituin.

From where I was standing, I could see our gate. I noticed a black SUV parked not far from the gate.

I narrowed my eyes and watched it. Because it's heavily tinted, I can't tell if there's somebody inside or not.

Iniwas ko nalang ang tingin ko at tumingala sa langit. Hindi ko alam kung bakit pero napapasulyap talaga ako sa kotse na hanggang ngayon ay nandoon parin.

I observed it again, and when nothing happened, I went inside and closed the door to the balcony.

When morning arrived, my parents and I were eating breakfast together. Kuya isn't here since he needs to leave early for work-related reasons.

"Darling, I heard you're going to Chard's Birthday Party. Do you already have a dress to wear?" Mom said. Napatingin lang si Dad sa amin. Si Kuya Eios siguro nagsabi sa kanila.

"Bibili palang po ako, Mom."

"If we had known sooner that you would be invited to that party, we could have asked my designer friend to sew you a dress. Do you want me to go with you to the mall, darling?" Nakikita ko sa mga mata ni Mommy ang panghihinayang. I understand her because she has always enjoyed dressing me up since I was a child.

"It's okay, Mom. I can handle myself just fine and besides, give yourselves a break. You've been flying in and out of the country. You and Daddy deserve to rest." may pag-aalalang ani ko.

"All right, darling. If you need our help, don't hesitate to ask." Mommy added softly.

"Sure, Mom." This is why I couldn't get angry with them or feel unwanted by them. Because despite their busy schedules, they always make me feel supported in anything I do.

"Your mom is right, anak. If you need our help in any way, whether it be financially or otherwise, just let us know. We're just here for you. I love you so much." Napangiti naman ako sa sinabi ni Daddy.

Tumayo ako at saka sila niyakap na dalawa. Pagkatapos kong kumain ay nagpaalam akong aalis na papuntang school. As usual ay nagpahatid ako kay Manong Pepoy.

Nakarating ako sa classroom namin ng mas maaga. Konti palang kaming nandito kaya kinuha ko muna ang phone ko at nagpatugtog sa spotify, ginamitan ko rin ito ng earphones para hindi makaisturbo sa ibang mga estudyante.

Taylor Swift's music dominates my playlist. I simply enjoy her songs. Her songs have the ability to make me experience a variety of emotions. It mostly gives off Kilig vibes. Wildest Dreams is one of my fave songs by her, and it's what I'm listening to right now.

Sinasabayan ko lang ito sa isip ko habang nakatanaw sa labas ng bintana ng classroom namin. Nagsimula naring magsidatingan ang iba. I automatically closed my eyes when Taylor Swift's Enchanted began to play.

Your eyes whispered, "Have we met?"

Across the room your silhouette

Starts to make its way to me

The playful conversation starts

Counter all your quick remarks

Like passing notes in secrecy

And it was enchanting to meet you

As soon as I opened my eyes, it landed on Mago. He paid no attention to the other students gawking at him. My brain went completely blank. My world seemed to come to a halt for some reason-I'm not sure what-and all I could see was him at that very instant.

And it was enchanting to meet you

All I can say is, I was enchanted to meet you

Kumakabog nang malakas ang dibdib ko. Hindi ko na alam kong dahil paba ito sa kanta o sa taong nakikita ko ngayon.

This night is sparkling

Don't you let it go

I'm wonderstruck

Blushing all the wa-

Natigil lang ako sa pagkatulala nang biglang magsitayuan ang mga kaklase ko. Dali-dali kong pinasok ang phone sa bag kasama ang earphones at nakisabay narin sa pagbati sa bagong dating.

Ngayon ko lang naalala na ngayon na pala magsisimula ang unang araw niya bilang pansamantalang kapalit ni Mr. Alcazar. Nakalimutan ko ring sabihin kay Kuya Eios ang tungkol dito, na nandito si Mago sa school. Sasabihin ko nalang mamaya sa kanya pag-uwi ko.

He greeted us, and we settled down. He swept his gaze over the room for a second before settling on me, which caused my breathing to hitch. He fixed his gaze on me, and so I returned the favor. I just sighed with a sense of relief when he looked away first.

Naiinis din ako sa sarili dahil hindi ko malaman kung bakit kinakabahan ako sa tuwing nagtatagpo ang landas namin. Wala naman akong nagawang mali sa kanya, siya nga itong masama ang ugali.

He stands in front of the class with a stern expression, holding a list of names.

"Alright, let's get started with attendance. Please respond with "present" when I call your name." He strictly said.

"Audrey Castillo." He started calling the names in a methodical manner. I
began fidgetting in my seat.

"Yosef Gabriel Joaquin."

"Present." The person beside me responded.