Hannah Gonzales
"Hey, Aki!" nandito ako ngayon sa bahay ni Aki. I suggested na we hang out kasi Grade 10 na kami and I was happy that top 1 ako sa class namin. While top 2 si Tyler.
"Hannah!" nginitian niya ako at pinapasok na sa bahay niya. "Let's go to my room, bago pa man umabala si mommy-"
"Hannah~" he jinxed it. Ahh! I haven't seen his mother for so long!
"Hello po Tita!" nagyakapan kami at napasimangot nalang si Akiro. "Naku, namiss kita sobra Hannah!" saad ni tita. "Namiss din po kita, Tita. You look as young as ever." nagtawanan kami.
"Mommy, pupunta na kami sa room ko.." Akiro excuses. "Ah siya, sige! Hindi ko muna kayo iistorbohin." Akiro led me to his room.
"Your mom is so sweet talaga. She hasn't changed, Aki." ngumiti ako. "Yeah, I know. She's the prettiest woman in my eyes." my heart melted from his words.
"Wanna watch a horror movie?" agad akong tumango. We both love horror movies!
"Hm, let's watch The Incantation." pumwesto na kami sa malaki niyang kama, like we used to before.
Maya-maya lamang ay naramdaman ko ang kamay niya sa ibabaw ng aking kamay. We used to hold hands while hanging out. But now, it felt different.
I shrugged off the weird feeling at itinuon ang akin atensyon sa movie. I guess I like how his skin feels against mine. Makes me wonder how Tyler's hand would feel. We've never held hands before.
Wait, why am I thinking about this?! Ang corny mo! Whatever.
"Hannah?" tumingin ako sakanya. His eyes were unusual. "Can I say something?" bigla akong kinabahan. May problema ba?
"Yes? Ano yun?" lumunok siya na para bang kinakabahan din.
"Hannah.. I know I'm putting our friendship at risk right now. But I can't just hide my feelings forever.." is he confessing? What?
Tyler Mendoza
I'm with this annoying Jenny again. She forced me to hang out with her. Nasa mall kami ngayon at pinapabitbit nya sakin yung mga shopping bags niya. How ridiculous.
"Tyler, come with me na. Magbabayad na ako sa counter." inilabas niya nag black card na bigay sakanya ng father niya. Well, mayaman sila dahil her family owns a big company. Mine, too.
We're upcoming Grade 10 na and since then, I've kept the 'baby egg' na last activity ko with Hannah. I miss her. So much that it kills me.
You really have to sacrifice things for love, you know? I've learned that from her. How, you ask? Well...
Ever since she told me that I distract her, I knew that she liked me too. I'm not really good at reading people but something just tells me she felt the same way. But she prioritises her studies, I understand.
She's so determined to be top 1. Always excelling in every subject... I admire her. Not just that, she's kind and observant. She notices everything just like I do. How she blushes when someone teases her or compliments her. How she would switch places with her friend Pearl on the sidewalks (sidewalk rule)... Everything about her is so admirable.
In order to make her happy, I purposely give her chances. Made her get called by the teacher to answer even though I also knew it... Secretly passed notes to my classmates to vote her as class president... She doesn't need to know. I don't want to force her to reciprocate her feelings. But I have a little spark of light, of hope inside me. Maybe one day.
"Tyler!! Are you even listening?" singhal ni Jenny. Ngayon lang ako natauhan. "Sorry, just zoned out. Ano yun?" she sighed. "I said I want you to come with me to the park." tumango nalang ako dahil I don't wanna catch people's attention kapag pinilit niya pa ako.
We went to the parking lot kung saan naghihintay ang driver ni Jenny. We went to a nearby park. Blossoms Park. Pero wala namang cherry blossoms dito, Pinas eh.
She led me to the middle of the park kung saan naroon ang fountain. Nagtataka ako dahil walang katao-tao. Oh, well. Maggagabi na rin naman.
There were fairy lights around that lightened the dim place. There were also fireflies. Napaka-romantic ng dating ng parke na ito.
"Tyler..." bumaling ako sakanya. "I want to tell you something." nanatili akong tahimik at naghintay sa sasabihin niya.
"Tyler, I like you. Romantically. It's not usual for me to confess since boys are the one confessing to me, not the other way around. Everytime I am with you, I feel so safe. I like you, Tyler."
I'm not really used to being confessed to. And honestly, it wasn't that bad. Just a little boost of ego.
"I appreciate your braveness to confess, Jenny. I really do. But I apologise, I don't think I am able to reciprocate your feelings. You deserve someone better." napalitan ng gulat at pagkalito ang kanyang mukha. Ngunit agad din namang nagkaroon ng munting ngiti sa kanyang mga labi. A genuine one.
"You like Hannah, don't you? I understand. She's really a package deal. And I know she likes you too." nginitian ko rin siya. "I do feel a little sad, but I'm glad that I got it off my chest. Thank you, Tyler." tinanguan ko siya.
"Jenny!" napalingon kami sa pinaggalingan ng tinig. Si Kian. Yung business manager namin last school year. May bitbit siyang bouquet.
"Kian? Anong ginagawa mo rito?" tanong ni Jenny. Pati ako ay nagtaka.
"Huh? Sabi ng kuya mo, pumunta raw ako rito. Hinihintay mo raw ako." nalilitong sagot ni Kian.
"Si Tyler-? Huh? Nasan yun?" that's right. Nagtago ako upang mag-eavesdrop sakanila.
"Whatever.. Bakit may dala kang bouquet?" narinig kong tanong muli ni Jenny.
"Ah.. Flowers for you, m'lady." pag-abot ni Kian kay Jenny ng roses. Pumula naman ang pisngi ni Jenny. Looks liek she found her Mr. Right.
"These are for me? Thank you, Kian." nagyakapan sila. Nakita kong sumulyap bahagya sa akin si Jenny at tumango. Para bang nagpapasalamat.
Well, I'm glad na Kian made a move. I've shipped them since the beginning, their relationship is really adorable. Bratty Jenny with golden retriever Kian. What a unique couple.
Can we be a unique couple, too, Hannah? I miss you.
BINABASA MO ANG
One Point Higher
Romance"One Point Higher" is a captivating narrative that explores the dynamic between two academic rivals. As they compete for the top spot in their class, their initial animosity transforms into a deep, unexpected romance. This story delves into themes o...