The Forgotten Heiress

chapter 1

"love is not a game of chance; it's a game of choice, and each choice has consequences."

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The breeze touches my face while staring at the people who have their own world chatting and teasing each other. They are too happy to mind others business. I wonder if I can be happy like them.

"What are you planning to do?" Cielo asked. He's just standing behind me while i am busy watching those people having their time in this park.
I fix my hair and prepare for a reply.

"Mind your own business, Cielo. I don't have any plans. I am just going with the flow." I spoke.
I felt that he walked beside me. He's staring at me like I did something terrible.
He groaned at nagsalita na may halong pait.

"Really? Do you think I don't know what are you doing? May sinisira ka nang relasyon, Amara. Better stop that. You're chasing him like a dog."
I felt a pang on my heart. Yes, I am hurt. He's right, I am chasing a guy that don't even have any feelings on me. But, so what?

"Don't tell me what to do, Cielo. Para saan pala ang usapan na 'to? Me and my kahibangan ba? Or what? If it is, then I’ll better leave." Ilang hakbang pa lang ang nagawa ko para umalis na pero muli siyang nagsalita.

"Do you love him?" He asked.

Umiling ako. "No. Shallower than love, but deeper than like."

"Then why!? Why the hell are you chasing him, degrading your dignity and even lowering down yourself just because of him! Amara...." Galit ngunit may pagsusumamong saad niya.
"I said mind your own business!"

"But you are my business, Amara! I know you! You hate cheaters, galit ka sa mga taong naninira ng relasyon! But why are you becoming like one?" He said.

My blood boils of what he said. Bumaling ako sa kanya at galit na naglakad palapit para bigyan siya ng mag-asawang sampal. Hindi pa ako nakontento at tinulak ko pa siya but he stood still. His eyes are already turning red cause by the forming tears he's trying not to let go.

"Amara....why can't we go back to the times we're still together."

"What we have before is a platonic love. We're just sixteen, bata pa lang tayo noon. That is just what they called puppy love. So better stop pursuing me."

Ngumisi siya nang may halong sakit sa kanyang mga mata.

"Really, you're chasing him while I am chasing you. Ironic right?"
We both laugh bitterly with our misery.

"Include Tanya who are also chasing you." Pagsingit ko sa usapan namin.
Nahinto siya saglit, mukang nagulat siya ngunit agad ding nakabawi at umiling.

"She's just a friend." Maikling sagot niya.

Ngumisi ako. "Yeah, a friend." I said.

Ilang segundo ay muli kaming natawa na parang baliw na nagkaintindihan. Alam namin pareho na ang "friend" na word ay siyang salita na ginamit namin to stop the person who are chasing us. And that word is also given by me to him and given by him to Tanya and specially given by Mark to me. He is the person I am chasing.

I closed my eyes at huminga ng malalim bago sumigaw.

"Chasing someone who can't reciprocate the feeling we have is fun!" I laughed.
From my peripheral vision, I saw his burning stares on me kaya natigilan ako sa pagtawa. Ang seryoso naman ng lalaking ‘to.

"Is this what really makes you happy? Amara, I’m always here, if ever you change your mind. Don't forget I am just one call away. Just run to me kapag tingin mo ay mag-isa ka na lang, kapag pakiramdam mo wala ka nang kakampi. People will judge you on what you are doing but remember that I am here anytime."  He stated while staring deeply on me.