The Loner Queen #Wattys2016

1

Maxine's PoV

Maxine Archela Enylle is the name. I'm 18 years old. Incoming 1st year college.

Naguguluhan talaga ako kila Mommy at Daddy. Ano bang problema nila? Why they didn't wanted me to go to the Philippines? Ever since, nandito na ako sa New York. Nagtataka ba kayo kung bakit ako nakaka-intindi ng Filipino words? I don't know too. Basta ang alam ko, marunong talaga akong mag-salita at maka-initindi ng salitang tagalog.

Naka-upo ako sa swing sa garden namin habang pinagma-masdan ang langit. "Max, come here. It's getting late." Tawag ni mommy mula sa veranda.

I just rolled my eyes. Tumayo na din ako dahil gabi na. It's April here in New York kaya medyo spring na dahil katatapos lang ng winter.. Konting araw nalang, birthday ko na, tapos pasukan na ulit.

Naglakad na ako at umakyat papasok sa kwarto ko. I saw my laptop so I grabbed it. "Hah ayos! Open si Yesha!" I exclaimed. Yesha is my friend in Philippines. Sya ang dahilan kung bakit gustong-gusto kong pumunta ng Pinas. She's always telling me how beautiful Philippines is.

Me: Yow? Kamusta?

Yesha: Mabuti naman. Ikaw ba?

Me: Ito. As usual bored.

Yesha: Ano na? Kailan mo balak pumunta dito?

Me: Yes. It's my problem all about. Mom and dad didn't allowed me to come there. Sometimes, I think that they're hiding something from me. Like ugh! I'm their daughter for Pete's sake!

Yesha: Hay nako! Tigil-tigilan mo nga ako sa kaka-English mo!

Me: *insert evil glare*

Yesha: But seriously? Do you think ano kayang tinatago nila sayo?

Me: I don't know either. But don't worry I'm going to find it out. But anyway, I have a plan para maka-punta ako dyan. Make sure na you will accompany me when I'm there ha?

Yesha: Sure thing. Oy you know, we have many mountains and forests here. Diba hobby mo ang hiking at camping?

Me: Darn! I'm so excited to come there. Wait. Out na ako. I'm going to do the first step of my plan.

Yesha: Sure. Bye.

Pag-tapos naming mag-chat ni Yesha ay isinarado ko na ang laptop ko. Lumabas ako ng kwarto at nag-lakad patungong kwarto nila mom and dad.

*knock knock* "Mom?" Tawag ko. "Mom?!"

"Come in"

Pumasok na ako sa kwarto nila at umupo sa couch. "What brought you here?" Tanong ni dad na busy sa pagba-basa ng mga papels. Medyo English speaking si dad

"Can I celebrate my birthday alone?" I asked.

"For what?" Tanong ni mommy habang nagpa-pahid ng lotion.

"I just want to be independent. And besides sa birthday ko lang naman eh."

"And where are you going then?" dad asked.

I got nervous to his question. Syempre hindi ko pwedeng sabihin na sa Pilipinas ako pupunta. "U-uhmm, either Italy or G-germany." I answered not to show my nervousness.

Tinignan ako ni dad sa mata. I know that tactics of him. Titignan nya sa mata ang isang tao para malaman nya kung nagsa-sabi ba ito ng totoo. Ngumiti ako para hindi nya mahalatang nagsi-sinungaling ako. "Pack your things and get ready. You'll be leaving tomorrow afternoon."