90210 (BINI Series #3)

Chapter 4: Stacey

Maloi's POV

"Did you find it?" Stacey started our conversation as we walk around the park inside our village.

Today's a sunny Sunday, sobrang sarap maglakad-lakad, bonus nalang na kasama ko si Stacey ngayon.

"Which one?" I asked, scratching my head.

Stacey turned to me and mimicked my previous action, "the ONE", making quotation marks in the air.

"Stacey, stop teasing!" I said, rolling my eyes.

"I'm not! I'm serious! So, did you find it? If I can recall correctly, you said she's the reason why you're more excited to go to school."Stacey empasized her words with grand gestures as if announcing the arrival of a royalty.

"Haha, Stacey, quit it! It's too early to tell." I told her.

Totoo naman eh, she may find me weird or crazy if I tell her she's my "the one" or my "soulmate". At isa pa, mukhang hindi naman priority ni Stacey ang mga ganitong bagay because she's taking care of her grades daw.

"I think... I think your soulmate is here, but it is probably not yet the right time for you to discover it yet. Maybe, when you're a bit older, TIME will be your friend." she said giving me her assuring smile.

"Wow Stacey, that is so profound! Is this true? I have convinced the realist and logical Stacey Sevilleja to believe in the existence of a soulmate?!? Is the world ending soon?" I dramatically told her.

"You are such a drama queen" Stacey said shaking her head, but I could see she was trying to hide her laughter.

"But yes, what are your plans after high school?" I asked, changing the topic as we sat in a swing.

"I plan to be a Doctor someday. Pediatrician to be exact!" she said while clapping her hands. "You know, I'll get to take care of kids and provide them proper health care!" she added, I watched her as she describes her future profession. Pero pakiramdam ko, parang humihina ang boses niya at siya nalang ang nakikita ko. She's so passionate about her dreams.

Ibang-iba sa'kin.

"How about you, Maloi?" she suddenly asked. Natataranta tuloy ako dahil wala pa naman akong plano.

"Uh, I don't know. At isa pa, Grade 10 palang naman ako. Hindi ko pa alam kung anong mangyayari in the future." I answered to her question.

Napangiwi siya sa sagot ko na parang hindi siya sang-ayon. God, ang hirap naman magpa-impress sa kanya when all I want is to be true to myself.

"Hmm mas okay kayang may plans ka na! Pero I understand you, baka ako lang talaga 'tong excited to finish high school to finally prepare for my future." she said. Her gaze was on the children playing a few meters away from us.

Habang ako, 'tong mga mata ko at nanatiling nakatingin sa kanya. Kita ko ang saya niya habang pinapanuod ang mga nasa paligid niya. Kahit papaano ay kumakalma rin ako dahil alam kong kumportable siya ngayong kasama ako. Kapag kasama ko siya, parang tumitigil ang oras at parang nakakalimutan ko ang problema ko. Parang sobrang light lang ng mood na parang madalas na nangyayari sa series and movies na napapanuod ko.

This, this is love. Calming and peaceful.

"You have a long name 'no?" I told her, bigla kasi akong napaisip kung ano mga tinatawag nila sa kanya. I heard Jhoanna and Gwen calling her Stacku. Some of her classmates call her Aubrey too.

"Parang ikaw hindi ah? Well, Aubrey or Stacku madalas nilang itawag sa akin. Bihira ang Stacey, medyo ayaw ko ng Stacey because it's too kikay." she said, facing me.