What If I Waited?

Chapter 1: Philippines

Arianne

............

"Ari? Gwaenchanha?" [Are you okay Ari?]

"Ne... Gwaenchanha." [Yes... I'm okay.]

It's been 2 years since I last saw him. I wonder how he is doing right now? Is he fine?

*sigh*

I should not worry about him when I have a boyfriend already. Seriously Ari... why do still bury your thoughts in the past? Pasts should be left buried. "Ari... Your father is here." Kyla said as she smiled. "Mianhaeyo... Kyla, we beed to go to the Philippines."

Maybe... all of you are wondering why I need to go to the Philippines. Well, my grandmother just passed away so we need to go there. It's been a while since I went back to the Philippines. So I am not familiar about the places there.

"It's okay Ari. I understand. Just make sure... you're not miserable without us there." She smiled. "I'll still contact you guys though." I told her and took my luggage.

And went to the airport. I wonder what my mother is doing in the Philippines right now? "Dad... Are we staying there for long?" I asked him, "I dont know princess. Maybe... or until you graduate highschool." He said while he was driving the car.

My name is Arianne Mae Gonzales. I'm 15 years old a third year student. I was born in the Philippines but lived my life in Korea. I don't know how to speak the Filipino language. Maybe because... I never went to the Philippines... nor I hear my parents speak tagalog.

After the long ride... we finally arrived in the Phillipines. The house of my grandmother is very big. I can't say that it's just an ordinary house... it's a mansion.

"I'm sorry Mae... You never met your grandmother." My grandfather told me... "Don't worry grandfather... It's okay." I told him.

"Sir... sino nga pala ang batang yan? Aba ang ganda niya. Mukhang Koreana. Apo mo ba siya?"

I don't understand what the girl was saying so I was standing right there like a fro":
zen ball.

"Oo... apo ko siya. Kakabalik lang niya galing sa Korea kaya hindi niya tayo maiintindihan kung ganito."

My grandfather smiled at me. "Mae... you're a smart child right? Go to the library and study how to speak our language hear. So that you could fit in."

I just nodded. I could do some self study in my grandfather's library. I sat there learning for about 2 hours... and well, it's amazing how I learned so fast. But the verbals I can't get. I'm still slang about it though. "Mae... You're going to school after tomorrow. You better get ready." Eomma told me while she was wiping her tears. "Ne... Eomma."

I went to my room... and opened my laptop to talk to Kyla. And just as I expected... she was online.

"How is life there Ari?"

"It's fine. There are just somethings... I can't understand with their language."

"You'll learn it in no time. You're the top student here remember? You're also a fast learner."

"Yeah... I've learned a little... but I don't think that little would help me. Especially when I'm going to transfer schools."

"You'll still get it Ari. Just listen to what they are always saying."

"Hoa about you there Kyla... are you okay?"

"Nah... it's hard without you!!! I can't learn so easily."

"Haha. Just call me when you need to learn something okay? I'll help you. For now... I need to go. I still need to find my way to school."

And then I ended the call. I went out the mansion and strolled for a bit. "Hmm... if, I could find that place..." I said to myself. "Hello mukhang hindi ka taga rito. Nawawala ka ba?" a girl approached me. I understood what she was saying.. but I can't speak tagalog just yet. "Uh.. I'm not lost. I'm just finding something." I told her. "Ah... taga saan ka ba originally?" she asked..

"..." I did not answer her.. well, because.. I need to keep my identity hidden. "Ako nga pala si Cathy. Nice to meet you! Kung gusto mo... I'll accompany you while you don't know your way around here yet." she smiled. So she knows how to speak english? Well, she doesn't look poor to me. "Yeah sure." I smiled at her. "Call me Mae."

We walked for a while and she was showing me places here and there. She's kind of like Kyla when I first met her. "Bakit ka nga pala nandito?" she asked while she was watching the menu. "I'm here because of my grandmother. She just passed away." she looked at me with pity, "Ohh... I'm sorry." I just smiled, what's there to be sorry about? People die remember? "Anything else?"

"I'm also here for the shooting of my movie." Yeah.. that's true, I'm also here for my movie. I just debuted last week, so people in the Philippines don't know me yet. Sounds funny but it's true. I'm part of a band though. "Wow, you must be famous."

"Nope... I just debuted with my group last week. But we had to cancel our concert in Hong Kong. Our company wants us to graduate high school first."

"Is that so? But if you are going to graduate high school first.. why are you shooting a movie?"

"I was just picked... Although I did not expect to me the lead woman."

"Ahh.... kasali ba to sa promotions mo as an individual?"

"Yeah..."

"Kaya pala... Well, I'll be looking forward to your movie Mae."

"Milady... You were here?"

I turned around and saw Waine... my butler. Or should I say.. grandfather entrusted me to him and to Julia my maid. "Milady??" Cathy asked, "Yes, she is the heir to the Gonzales' company and the lead woman in My Own Story." Her eyes grew wide when she realized. "What?! S-so.... Ikaw pala ang bagong actress sa Crown Entertainment?! At Ikaw din pala ang isang member ng bagong group nila?!"

"Ne.."

Someone recognized me......