Like the Fairy Tales

Prologue

D I S C L A I M E R :

This is a work of fiction. Unless otherwise indicated, all the names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents in this book are either the product of the author's imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

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"Fairy tales are more than true; they aren't just stories of magic and wonder. They're maps of our greatest aspirations, showing us how to achieve our own happily ever after's."

- Unknown

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"I'll always want you by my side."

Agad kong tinakpan ang bibig ko at pinigilan ang sarili kong mapatili. Mariin kong ipinikit ang mga mata ko at napatawa na lamang ng mahina. Halos mabitawan ko pa nga ang librong hawak ko kaya ibinaba ko muna ito saglit at saka niyakap ang throw pillow na nasa tabi ko. Although I couldn't see my reflection, I could feel the warmth spreading across my cheeks.

Ganito pala ang pakiramdam. What if I were told this myself? Mamamatay ako sa kilig!

The next lines made me blush even more. "When I'm with you, I feel like I'm home, no matter where we are." Why do I feel like this is the part where the main characters will officially be together? Nakaka-excite naman!

I was about to continue reading and get lost in the story again when I heard knocks at the front door. Agad akong napatayo at pinagbuksan si Kuya Ezekiel. Finally! It was already past 10 PM, and he was the only one I waited for in the living room for several hours. Sa wakas talaga at makakatulog na rin ako.

"Anong oras na, kuya? Bakit ngayon ka lang?" I acted strictly while I interrogated him, but I did it jokingly. Katulad na lamang ng napapanood ko sa mga telenobela. But he just laughed at my questions. "Aren't you gonna answer me, kuya?"

"Alright, mom. Nag-dinner kami sa labas kasama ng family nila Yza. Biglaan kasi kaya hindi na ako nakapagpaalam sa inyo." Napatawa siya nang bahagya. "You're so strict. You don't act like a twelve-year-old."

Agad kong nailagay ang kamay sa baywang ko. "Excuse me. I just turned sixteen! Anong twelve, kuya Ezekiel?"

Tinawanan niya lang ako ulit kaya tinalikuran ko na siya. Akmang hahakbang na sana ako paakyat ng hagdan pero may isang tanong ang pumasok sa isipan ko. Muli kong hinarap ang kapatid ko na nakaupo na sa puwesto ko kanina. "Kuya."

"Hmm?"

"You're already at the right age and have a stable job. I'm just curious - if not sooner, kailan kayo magpapakasal ni Ate Yza?"

It took him a while before he could finally answer me. Nakakagulat ba talaga ang tinanong ko na wala siyang naisagot agad? If I'm not mistaken, may apat na taon na silang relasyon. Simula nga noong high school pa lang sila ay magkakilala na sila. Kilalang-kilala naman na siguro nila ang isa't isa sa tagal ng pinagsamahan nila. So, ano pa bang sign ang hinihintay nila?

Napangiti siya. "Just wait and see, Bee. Umakyat ka na sa kwarto mo at matulog ka na. Monday bukas."

Pinaningkitan ko siya ng mata. "'Just wait and see'? Please make sure na may mahihintay at may makikita talaga ako, kuya. I admire men who date with the intention of marrying. So if what you said isn't really going to happen, kuya, ako na mismo ang magtatakwil sa'yo. At hindi lang 'yun, my heart will always be full of hatred for you."

He looked at me with amusement evident in his eyes. It's not the first time I've seen that look on his face. Whenever he makes that expression, I already have an idea of what's going to happen next.

"For an NBSB, ang dami mong nalalaman, Bee. Are you hiding something from us?" 'Yan ang sasabihin niya. O kung hindi man 'yan, susuwayin niya lang ako't pagbabawalan sa pagbabasa ng mga love stories. Well, I'm used to it.

"Kung anumang sasabihin mo, I don't need to hear it, kuya. Alam na alam ko na mga linyahan mo. Good night!" Umakyat na ako sa kwarto ko habang tinatakpan ang magkabilang tainga ko. Agad akong napahiga sa kama at napayakap sa unang pinakamalapit sa akin. Is it considered wrong for someone who's never experienced love to know a lot about it?

Hindi ba mas maganda nga 'yun para kapag nandiyan na, alam ko kung ano ang gusto kong mangyari at maranasan sa loob ng isang relasyon.

I want it to be memorable.

I want it as my first, last and only.

I want to feel like I am inside a fairytale - starting with 'Once upon a time' and ending with 'Happily ever after.'

I often hear some people say that my standards when it comes to romance are beyond reach. Mahirap abutin at mahirap makamit. Kaya raw hindi ko pa nararanasang mahalin dahil mahirap akong mahalin - mapili at maarte.

Pero alam ko ang halaga ko. Naiintindihan ko ang kailangan ko at alam ko ang gusto ko. Mali ba 'yun?

Ever since I was younger, I told myself that when I finally found love, it would be amazing and nothing short of magical. Until then, I'd wait, hoping that someday I'll meet my Prince Charming and together we will write our own fairy tale. We'll live and love just like what we see in the movies. And when that moment comes, I'll know that every moment of waiting will have been worth it.

Ang tanong... Kailan naman kaya matutupad ang mga kahilingan kong ito? Do I still have to wish upon more stars to make these dreams come true?

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Date Started : July 23, 2024

Date Finished: --/--/----

xoxo, mw ♡