During her toughest times, Seraphina Ramiro found herself falling harder for Kasper Lacsamana, as every time they were together filled her with hope and a renewed sense of purpose, pulling her back to life.
Kasper, however, was afraid of getting too...
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Nana wasn't entirely sure why she was following the kid—maybe it was because he had mentioned Kasper, and after two years, she was eager to see him again. Or maybe it was just hunger, leaving her with no other choice. Perhaps it was both. Maraming dahilan para mag-decline siya pero hindi rin niya magawang umatras.
It felt like her feet had a life of their own.
Inabot sila ng halos dalawang minuto sa paglalakad, marami pa silang daang inikot para lang marating ng tree house na nabanggit ng batang lalake kani-kanina lang. Habang bukas ang bibig at habol ang paghinga, tumingala si Nana sa sanga ng isang malaking kahoy, at sa sanga nito ay nakita niya nga ang hindi pa tapos na tree house.
"Ito na po 'yun." Nilingon siya ng bata nang tumigil sila. "Patapos na rin po, tatlo na po kaming nagtulong-tulong dito," dagdag nito sabay ngiti na animo'y nahihiya ito.
Hindi maintindihan ni Nana kung bakit ito nagpapaliwanag na para bang siya ang boss na nagpapagawa ng tree house. Ayos lang kung nahihiya ito pero there's no way she would complain, wala sa lugar na mamintas pa ngayong siya na nga ang makikituloy.
In fact, the tree house was cute. May kaunting sira na ang bubong nito, gayundin ang bintana at ang iilan sa hakbang ng hagdanan, and it was a lovely sight to see. Para bang matagal na itong nakatayo at sinubok na rin ng panahon.
"Did he...really invite me?" she hesitated to ask as her gaze returned to the kid, only to realize he was already climbing the stairs.
"Hindi po usually nag-iimbita si kuya Kasper, pero nakita ka po niya kanina."
Nakita niya ako, and then what? Nana wanted to ask but ultimately chose not to. It is what it is. She knew it would be a one-time thing anyway. Nana knew Kasper from high school, maybe not as well as his friends did, but she knew some things about him. At least, based on what she had seen.
Kasper was one scary person. Siya 'yung typical na kilala sa school, and since he came from a well-off family too, you would see him as more reserved and well-respected. He earned that reputation by being involved in everything at school, despite his stoic demeanor.
Ang alam ni Nana wala rin itong naging kahit isang girlfriend hanggang sa nagtapos sila. Naisip niya minsan na imposible ito given na maraming schools ang nag-uunahan sa Xavion tuwing may school events para lang makita siya at ang friends niya. He can bag any girl he wants, really.
Pero at some point, kino-consider niya rin na baka may fair share doon na sa all-boys' school siya pumapasok and really enjoyed the company of his circle more than anyone else's.
Hindi palangiti si Kasper, isang beses niya lang ito nakitang may expression sa mukha noong nanalo ang team nila against sa ibang school. Other than that, ayon sa naririnig niya sa Helveryst, nakikita lang na may buhay si Kasper tuwing kasama niya ang pinaka-close sa grupo nila, si Gavin.
Bumabalik na naman tuloy sa kanya 'yung tanong na, 'Bakit nandito si Kasper?' Hindi ba siya nagkamali lang talaga sa nakikita niya? It didn't sound right. She hadn't heard from them since graduation, so she didn't really know what to think.
