Second Chance

1

Paps mansion has always been my home. It hasn't change that much. The only thing that changed was the people in it. I can vividly remember how the halls are filled with people, the only thing you can hear was laughter and giggles. Now, all I can hear is my own footsteps striding throughout the big halls of this mansion

"Hija welcome back. I missed you" Ani tita Sab and she hugged me

" I missed you too tita tsaka luto mo" I laughed and hugged her back

"Aba nambobola ka pa rin tulad ng dati"ani tita

"No tita. Swear to God. Masarap po talaga kayong magluto" I said and raised my hand. Showing her that I'm truly telling the truth

"Ewan ko sayong bata ka" shaking her head but still smiling "Anong balita kay Seerah?"

"Baka daw uuwi si Seerah next month. She's really busy with her business"

Seerah is my trusted friend and cousin at the same time. I never had a close friend outside my family ever since tumira ako abroad . Natuto na akong wag maniwala kahit kanino. They will use your weakness against you and tear you down.

Seerah and I livr in the same apartment. She's like a sister to me. Siya ang karamay ko sa abroad. We tell each other our personal problems. Sometimes she would take me on night outs. Syempre libre niya. I'm not a heavy drinker kaya never akong nagyayayang lumabas. Kaya kapag uwian na ako ang nagdadala sakanya pabalik sa apartment pag lasing na lasing si gaga. There are times na magkagalit kami. She would take my clothes without asking me. Yun kasi yung pinaka ayaw ko. But the end of the day, she would bring home some avocados as an apology gift. Pagkatapos nun magkasundo na ulit kami.

"So she's really working hard on her business huh? She can't even call me. Baka naman she's still playing with boys. Hindi na siya bata para makipag laro. She needs to marry someone already. Baka niyan di ko na maabutan ang apo ko" ani tita

Seerah can be a little wild. Nung dito pa siya nakatira, I always see her with boys. Walang araw na wala siyang kasamang lalaki. And I can't really blame her. She's beautiful. She has this deep set of amber eyes with luscious lashes, pointed nose and full pouted lips. And she got perfect tanned skin along with her slender waist, 'quite big' pair of melons and a nice bottom, any man could fall for her. Sometimes I wish may ganoon akong katawan. Sinalo na niya yata lahat ng kagandahan sa mundo.

"Chill lang po tayo tita. You're not even that old. I assure you Seerah is doing great. And I'm sure she's gonna find someone that will love and tame her." I said

Tita shook her head

"O siya, alam kong jet lagged ka. Magpahinga ka muna sa kwarto mo. Maybe freshen up. We'll just call you kapag dinner na." Aniya habang tinapik tapik likod ko urging me to go to my room.

"Alrighty then" And I started walking to my room

Nothing really changed inside the mansion. Maybe a few decorations here and there but nothing big. The grand staircase still looks the same. Akala ko nga pina renovate na nila. I remembered something that made me smile a little

In this staircase, this is where it all began. 6 years ago

It was paps birthday. Everyone was busy. They were either preparing foods or fixing tables. And here we are upstairs, me and my cousins gathered in one room. Seerah is busy putting on makeup, Eunice is busy doing her hair and my cousin from my dads side Jasmine, is busy putting on her dress. Habang eto ako nakatingin lang sa bintana. I don't know what to do

"Lexi umupo ka na dito. Ikaw na susunod" said Seerah as she puts lipgloss in her lips

"Seerah naman I don't understand why we have to put on makeup. Nasa bahay lang naman ang handaan ni paps" I said kind of annoyed