The Rank 1

Chapter 1

Starting a new life is actually scary, the unfamiliar environment and watch the world unfolds right in front of you. But it's a little exciting because I'll meet new people and experience new things.  

Because after many years living in Canada, my sister decided to move back home in the Philippines dahil may sakit si Papa at gusto namin na maalagaan namin sya.

It's just that - i will miss my friends in Canada. And of course the fall and winter. 

At habang naglalakad sa airport at hinihintay ang mga bagahe namin ay nakakita ako ng Piano sa lobby. 

"Where are you going?" Sigaw ni Cosmos sakin ng umiba ako ng direksyon. 

But i didn't respond to him. 

Dumaretso ako sa sadya ko at naupo sa piano bench. 

"Will you play?" Tanong ni Cosmos sakin. 

"Just one." Sagot ko sabay pindot sa white key. 

I play Clare De Lune, a famous piano piece and also my favorite.  May mga taong humihinto para panuorin ako, i suddenly feel shy for the attention but i continue. 

Todo ngiti lang si Cosmos sa tabi ko. 

At. 

May tumabi sakin na babae, napatingin ako sa kanya and she play the piano with me. Inenjoy nalang namin ang pagtugtog — until we reach the last note. 

Nagulat ako kasi nagpalakpakan ang mga tao at ang dami nila!   

"We did great." Sabi ng babae sakin.

Tumayo ako para maging eye level kami and have a chance to fully look at her — and she's really pretty. "Ang galing mo!"

The girl smile at me. "Mas magaling ka, sumabay lang ako."

"Tara na!" May sumigaw sa babae.

Agad naman syang tumalikod at humabol sa mga kasama. But she stop for a moment and smile at me before she fully out of my sight.

What's her name?

"Vana!" Boses ni Ate Rare. "Let's go." 

At sabay sabay na kaming lumabas ng Airport. Si Tita Monique na ang nagsundo samin. Surprise kasi ang pag-uwi namin, walang kaalam alaml si Papa.

Nag-uusap usap lang sila at tulog sina Cosmos at Lily. Samantalang nakatanaw lang ako sa bintana ng sasakyan, watching the unfamiliar territory for me. 

And wondering what will happen next. 

"Are you okay?" Tanong ni Ate Scarlett sakin. 

Napasulyap ako sa kanya - you know, i always admired this woman. Aside from being beautiful, smart ay talagang tinaguyod nya kami as family. Kitang kita ko din kung gaano nya kamahal si Ate Rare. 

And i wish to have that kind of love someday. A love that will stand be you for good and the bad, and a love that will never betray you.

"Yes Ate Shi." Nakangiti kong sagot. 

But as a doctor, she can read facial expressions and body movement. 

Ate Scarlett hold my hand. "Don't worry too much Vana." She squeeze them very gently. "After one week makakaadjust ka din."

"That's not what I'm a little worried." I admit. "I will my friends in Canada." But i don't want them to feel bad about coming back here. "But may chat at video chat naman." 

"You can invite them during school break." Pagsabat ni Ate Rare na nakatingin sakin sa mirror. 

Nanlaki ang mata ko. "What? Really!"