If This Isn't Love

#ITIL01

IF THIS ISN'T LOVE CHAPTER 01

As I nervously stepped onto the campus of A Lopez's College University, I couldn't shake the flutter of excitement mingled with trepidation. Coming from a family teetering between modest means and aspirations, my scholarship to this esteemed institution felt like a golden ticket to a world I had only dreamt of. The weight of my family's expectations and my own hopes hung heavy on my shoulders as I navigated the unfamiliar halls.

I've known Tristan Knight since we were kids. He was the son of Lopez's where their family is known for being wealthy, they own half of the properties here in the Philippines, especially, sa ibang bansa. Nagkalat ang pangalan ng mga Lopez kung saan saan. My family works for them for several years. Even my Grandparents. Ganoon katanyag ang lahi ng mga Lopez. Hindi ko masasabing magkaibigan kami ni Tristan, when we see each other parang ang bigat ng pakiramdam ko sakaniya kaya palagi ay nagsisimula ang away sa pagitan namin. Kung hindi ako ang nagsisimula, madalas siya.

Tristan was always a bit of a troublemaker, but I never thought he'd grow up to be the arrogant, ignorant, and bad boy he is today. Parang noon pa man ganito pa siya pero triple ang lala ng ugali niya ngayon.

As we grew older, our rivalry started to take shape. Tristan would often try to one-up me, whether it was in sports, academics, or even just trying to impress the girls. I would get frustrated with him, but deep down, I knew he was just trying to prove himself. His parents are always busy even their big brother, si Kuya Travis Kyler, Trav for short. Bata pa lang hinulma na si Kuya Travis to be their family next leader. And Tristan too. Ayoko mang aminin, may utak siya. Mas mataas sa akin ang I.Q niya pero walang wala naman pagdating sa ugali.

Yeah, I hate him. So much. Kung yung galit ko nag aapoy lang, matagal na siyang nasunog.

Tristan's friends, Xavier Riel and Matthew Oliver, were always there to support him. They are his friends since we starts Highschool. Xavier was friendly, warm, and kind, and Matthew was jolly and loud. They were the complete opposite of Tristan, but they seemed to bring out the best in him. On everyone, except me.

But despite their influence, Tristan remained a bad boy at heart. He would often throw parties and invite everyone, including his little sister Talia, who was studying at the same university. Talia was sweet and innocent, and I could see why Tristan was so protective of her. Kahit sa akin, umuubra ang pagiging protective niyang Kuya kahit wala naman talaga akong masamang intensyon kay Talia. Oa lang talaga siya madalas.

Pero despite that, hindi napigilan ng Kuya niya si Talia, we became  friends too sa ilang taon na madalas ay napapasama ako sa Mansion nila. Yes, they have that big big house, para na nga iyong palasyo sa sobrang laki. Pero madami sa mga pasilyo doon walang gumagamit.

Compared to Kuya Travis and Talia, he is the most different among the two. Hindi talaga kami magkakasundo. I hate him, sagad hanggang buto.

And now  as a  second year college student, our rivalry intensified more. Tristan would often try to impress me with his status, but I knew he was just trying to prove a point. I would ignore him, but he would keep coming back, trying to get a rise out of me. Kahit hanggang dito walang humpay ang away namin.

One day, Tristan invited me to a party at his campus, which he owned. I was hesitant at first, but Xavier and Matthew convinced me to come. The party was wild, with music and dancing all night long. Tristan was in his element, but I could see the arrogance and ignorance in his eyes.

I knew on this moment, I am an outsider. Hindi ito ang mundo ko. Ibang iba sa mundo ko kung saan puro libro, katahimikan at musika lang. Now, this is different. So different.

Talia grab my hand in the middle of those people inside the venue.  Nagpasalamat na lang talaga ako na hindi siya nag decide na sa Mansion gumawa ng ganito. Then if he did I will be the one who's responsible. Ako ang sine-set na example ng mga magulang niya sakaniya, I guess that's why he hated me from the beginning. Because he saw me as someone who can be more than his fame, and him. He's threatened.

"Ate Juliette! I'm so glad you could make it. Come, sit with us." Talia just grab my hand and pulled me where Tristan's and his friends table.

I hesitantly sits on the sofa, surrounded by Tristan, his friends Xavier and Matthew, and a group of girls. Probably his girls. Tristan was smirking when he saw me. Alam ko na agad ang magiging ganap.

"Oh Juliette, if it isn't my old friend Juliette. Fancy seeing you here." Minuwestra niya ang kamay sa kabuuan ko. Yeah, he's right. I'm not into this kind of parties.

I rolled my eyes. "We're not friends, Tristan. Your sister invited me."

He laughs. "Hmm, Talia has always been the friendly one in the family. Unlike you, always so uptight and serious." Huminga ako ng malalim. He's starting it.

I frowned. "I am not uptight! I just don't find the need to throw wild parties and act like an arrogant jerk all the time."

He leans back. The girl on his left rest his hand where his stomach is or should I say abs? No.

"Ouch, that hurts. I thought we had something special" he winks at the girl who rest her hand on his stomach. I immediately made a face.

"He has his charm, Juliette. Pagpasensyahan mo na." The woman in his right. Iyon si ate Julia. She's one year older.

She is attracted to him. Masasabi ko na matagal na rin siyang magkakilala ni Tristan. She's always been his girl. Hindi ko alam kung may namamagitan ba talaga sakanila. Mahirap sabihin.

I scoff." Charm? More like manipulate and use them. I'm surprised any girl falls for your act." I said, feeling like I am the one who's winning this argument.

He narrowed his eyes."What's that supposed to mean?"

I crosses my arms."It means you're a spoiled, arrogant brat who thinks he can get away with anything because of your family's money and status?"

"Juliette that's enough." Riel interrupt.

Tristan stand up. "Oh yeah? Well at least I'm not a stuck-up, judgmental prude who thinks she's better than everyone else!" He hissed. Nagtataas baba na ang kaniyang dibdib sa nararamdaman.

I stand up as well. Hindi magpapatalo. "I am not judgmental! I just have standards and morals, something you clearly lack."

"Guys, please don't fight! This is supposed to be a fun party." Talia tried to intervened.
She grab my arm gently to stop me.

Tristan scoffs."Stay out of this, Talia. This is between me and Miss Perfect over here." He said as he look at me in the eye.

I glared at him.

"Know what, Tristan? I feel sorry for you. You're so desperate for attention and validation that you have to put on this whole bad boy act. But deep down, you're just a scared little boy who's afraid of being vulnerable and letting people in." Dinuro ko ang dibdib niya.

Tristan was taken aback. Hindi na ako makapagtimpi sa mga gusto kong sabihin but deep down I know it's harsh and I am starting to regret every words. I hit his core.

"What did you just say?"

I shake my head. "You heard me. And you know what? I'm done with this. I'm leaving"  I start to walk away from that circle.

Tristan just grab my arm. "Oh no you don't. You don't get to just walk away after saying that."

I yank my arm away.

"Watch me." I left the parry leaving Tristan in shock that day. I was not in my right mind pero sinimulan niya.