CHAPTER 1
Lorenzo "Enzo" Nuñez is one of the few but most popular guys in Bellevue International School ever since he transferred in 5th grade. He was every girl's ideal guy – smart, talented, handsome and rich. His family owns the largest cruise ship company in the country, kaya halos lahat ng babae sa school nagkaka-crush sa kanya at gustong maging girlfriend nya.
Isa na doon si Leanna "Anna" Ramos, a straight-A student since 1st grade at laging pambato sa mga interschool quiz bees at beauty pageants. She also has everything a guy's looking for – the beauty, the brains, and the talent. She also came from one of the richest families in the country who owns 30% of the real estate properties.
Little did Anna know, Enzo has also been secretly crushing on her since the first time he saw her. It was only in 10th grade that Enzo finally had the courage to talk to her and confess. She was sitting behind her desk, talking to a few of her best friends, saka lumapit si Enzo sabay buntong-hininga.
"H-hi, Anna," nauutal na bati ni Enzo, "pwede ba kitang makausap saglit?" he shyly asked. Anna's friends teased her, but immediately stopped when she glared at them. "Sure," Anna replied looking at Enzo, trying to calm herself para hindi mahalata ni Enzo na kinikilig sya. Lumabas sila ng classroom at doon nag-usap.
"Ano ba 'yon, Enzo?" Anna asked. Enzo couldn't look at her in the eye, scratching the back of his neck, he shyly started to talk, "Ah, kasi.. ano e.." he paused. Kinakabahan si Anna sa pwede nyang marinig, but she kept her poise, "Ano ba kasi 'yon?" she shyly laughed, "Sabihin mo na kasi." She smiled. Enzo, recomposing himself, took a deep breath and bravely looked at her in the eye, "I like you, Anna." He declared.
"I like you since the first time I saw you. Ewan ko pero no'ng una palang kitang makita, sobrang na-attract na 'ko sa 'yo. And hindi ko pa rin alam kung bakit hanggang ngayon, gustung-gusto pa rin kita." Anna was silent, but she can feel her cheeks burning because she was elated. Napayakap sya kay Enzo, "Loko ka, hindi mo ba alam matagal na rin kitang crush?" she whispered.
Kumalas si Anna sa pagkakayakap, but her arms are still wrapped around Enzo's neck. He smiles at her, "Will you be my girlfriend?" he asked. Tumango lang si Anna as her reply, saka bumalik sa pagkakayakap. Simula no'ng araw na 'yon, Enzo and Anna became the most envied couple in the campus.
They are the most perfect couple to ever exist. Halos lahat ng students sa campus, lagi silang sinusubaybayan at laging kinikilig 'pag nakikita silang magkasama. Senior's prom came, and as usual, Enzo and Anna gained the spotlight – being the Prom King and Queen.
And then finals week came, busy na ang lahat sa kaka-review at pag-aasikaso ng mga requirements for the college entrance exams. "Love, saan mo balak mag-college?" Anna randomly asked Enzo. "Hindi ko pa alam, love e, pero ang gusto ni dad mag-PMMA ako." "'Yong pang-seaman?" Enzo nodded, "Gusto kasi nya ako magmaneho ng isang cruise ship namin."
"Ikaw ba, san mo balak?" Enzo asked Anna. "Hmm, gusto ko sana sa Brighton University e. Double major." She excitedly responded. "Wow, that'd be great. Pero anong majors?" "Architecture and Interior Design, lovey." Malambing na sagot ni Anna. "Grabe ka, love, 'di ko talaga kayang pantayan 'yang katalinuhan mo," Enzo joked, patting her head. "Looove, ginugulo mo na naman buhok ko e," she cutely pouts, fixing a few strands of her hair.
A weekend before their graduation, Anna is scheduled to take her entrance exam at Brighton University. "Love, pwede mo ba 'kong samahan sa Brighton University mamaya?" malambing na tanong ni Anna sa nobyo na nasa kabilang linya. 'Sure, love. What time ba? Para masundo kita.' Sagot naman ni Enzo. "1PM, love. Sunduin mo 'ko ng mga 12:30, ayos lang ba?" 'Yup, anything for you lovey.' "Thank you, love. Sige na, maliligo na 'ko. See you later, lovey." 'See you later, I love you.' "I love you, too," then Anna ended the call saka naligo.
Enzo arrived 30 minutes earlier sa napag-usapan nilang oras. He parked his car in front of Anna's house saka nag-doorbell. Pinagbuksan sya ng katulong saka pinapasok sa loob ng bahay. Anna's mom was in the living room reading a magazine pagkapasok ni Enzo. "Hi, Tita!" masayang bati ni Enzo sabay mano. "Enzo, hi!" masayang bati rin ng ina ni Anna, "Anna's still in her room, akyatin mo na. Kanina pa nagbibihis 'yon." "Okay po, thanks Tita." And he excitedly went upstairs para katukin sa kwarto si Anna.
"Love, I'm here na. 'Di ka pa ba tapos?" tanong ni Enzo mula sa labas ng pinto ng kwarto ni Anna. "Lovey, I'm almost done. Wait lang, I'll be out in a minute." Sagot naman ni Anna mula sa loob. Enzo sat on a couch placed in between doors while waiting for Anna. Few minutes later, Anna came out from the room, "Hi, love." Bati nya sa nobyo sabay yakap. "Hi, love. Wow, as always you look gorgeous." "Awwe, thank you lovey. Let's go?" pagyaya ni Anna. Enzo nodded and they went downstairs holding hands.
"Mom, we'll go ahead na po," paalam ni Anna sa kanyang ina sabay beso. "Hindi ba muna kayo magla-lunch?" "On the way nalang po, Tita," sagot naman ni Enzo. "Okay, be careful, you two. 'Wag kayo masyadong magpapagabi umuwi mamaya ha," Anna's mom reminded. "Yes, Mom." "Yes, Tita." They simultaneously answered then left.
On the way to Brighton University, dumaan muna ng drive-thru ang dalawa and ate lunch while on the road. Pagkarating ng Brighton University, naghanap ng parking spot si Enzo na malapit sa entrance ng building kung saan naka-assign mag-exam si Anna. "Thanks, love, ha." Anna gratefully said to Enzo. "Love, you know I'd do anything for you. Kahit pa saang bansa mo gustong pumunta, sasamaha't sasamahan pa rin kita." Enzo replied.
"Haynako, hindi ko talaga alam anong mangyayari sa buhay ko kapag nawala ka." Pag-aaalang sabi ni Anna while buckling off her seatbelt. Enzo caressed her hand while saying, "Hindi naman ako mawawala, e. Pakakasalan pa kita after 10 years," smiling with assurance. Anna started to feel her eyes starting to get teary upon Enzo's words, "Teka lang, mag-e-exam pa 'ko, love, 'wag mo naman akong paiyakin dito." She jokingly said, "'Lika na nga," and opened the car door and got out of the car.
While Anna was taking her entrance exams, Enzo patiently waits for her sa labas ng assigned room. He enjoyingly listens to music para hindi sya ma-bored kakahintay. "Hi, may nakaupo ba dito?" biglang tanong kay Enzo. He took off one of his earphones, "Ano ulit 'yon?" Enzo asked in confusion. "Ang sabi ko kung may nakaupo ba sa tabi mo?" sabi ng babae. Enzo nodded, "Yeah, meron, girlfriend ko," with emphasis on the word girlfriend. Halata naman kasing nagfli-flirt 'yong babae sa kanya. Sa dami ba naman kasi ng bakanteng benches, sa kanya pa gustong tumabi.
The girl left in embarassment. Little did Enzo know, she will be Anna's possible nightmare in the University. "Let's go na, love." ani Anna pagkalapit kay Enzo, may kaunting lungkot at pagkadismaya sa boses nito. "Love, what's wrong?" nag-aaalalang tanong naman ni Enzo. Anna heaved a heavy sigh, "Kinakabahan ako sa magiging resulta ng exams, e." "Bakit naman?" "Baka kasi 'di ko makuha 'yong scholarship. Or worse, 'di ko maipasa." Enzo wrapped his arm around Anna's shoulder and caressed it, "Love, I'm sure you did great. Baka nga ikaw pa maging higest sa exam e, ayaw mo no'n magiging full scholar ka dito kapag ikaw ang nag-top. Kaya 'wag mo na isipin na hindi ka makakapasa, ikaw pa. Ang galing mo kaya sa lahat ng bagay," sabi ni Enzo sabay marahang kinurot ang ilong ng nobya.
Anna smiled in relief of what Enzo said. "Alam mo, hindi ko talaga alam anong gagawin ko kapag nawala ka," sagot ni Anna sabay yakap sa baywang ng nobyo. Enzo smiled as a response and said, "Buti pa, kain nalang tayo tapos nood tayong sine." Anna excitingly nods in response to her boyfriend's suggestion.
Pagkadating ng mall, kumain muna sa kanilang favorite restaurant ang dalawa. Habang kumakain ay napag-usapan ng dalawa ang posibleng mangyari sa kanilang magiging college life.
