Hoy, Panget! Mahal Kita...

The Other Side (Part 1)

Alex's POV

*airport*

Wow. Isn't it nice to be back?

Life in US is very difficult.

Kelangan mo talagang mag-adjust especially sa culture.

Well, I have adapted their system and way of living. But it was not easy.

My dad is in the US while Mom is in the Philippines. Yes, they are separated.

I lived with my father in Wyoming kasama bago niyang pamilya. I went there when I was 9  with my dad after my Ate died. I have witnessed how my father built his own family.

Mahirap, lalo na kapag nasanay ka nang apat lang kayo sa pamilya.

Wait. Before anything else, I'm Alexandrios Maine Castillo Orcullo. You can call me Alex. I'm 18 years old and taking up a Business course.

Oo, aminado akong gwapo ako. (HAHAHAHA at least that's what they kept on telling me)

Habulin.

Macho.

May 'angst'.

Name it, I have it.

(A/N: Hadhad, meron ka? HAHAHAHA)

They say I'm perfect. Gwapo na, achiever pa. From grade school to highschool, I always aced my classes. I had been to many conferences, leadership trainings and seminars.

Ngayong college na ako, I was always a Dean's Lister.

Pero bakit parang may kulang?

I feel so fckng empty. And the most scary part is that I HAVE NO FREAKING IDEA WHY.

Bakit pala ako umuwi?

Well, I always wanted to see my mom. I badly miss her.

And there's this girl whom I wanted to see.

*flashback*

"Tara na mga 'tol! Baka lapain tayo ng baboy ramong 'yan! HAHAHAHAHAHA"

Naaalala ko pa yung sinabi ko sa kanya dati.

I didn't mean that.

Kaso provoking masyado ang mga barkada ko.

Tiningnan ko nalang siya habang nakalublob sa putikan.

Gusto ko sana siyang tulungan. Kaso bakit naman niya tatanggapin ang tulong mula sa taong nagdala sa kanya sa ganung sitwasyon?

Yes. I kicked the stone towards her para madapa siya.

Tsaka hindi ko na rin siya matulungan. Hinila na ako ng mga kabarkada ko.

"HAHAHAHAHA buti nga sa baboy na yun!" sabi ni Ryan.

"Oo nga! Dun siya nababagay. Sa putikan. HAHAHAHAHA ano sa tingin mo, Alex?" tanong ni James sa akin.

"O-Oo! S-She deserves it! Y-Yan ang napapala n-ng mga n-nagsusumbong ng assignment kay T-Teacher..." sagot ko.

"HAHAHAHA kahit kelan talaga epal yung baboy na 'yun!'' sambit ni Bryle.

Kelangan kong makibagay sa kanila. Sila nalang din kase barkada ko.

Pero kapag may pagkakataon, hahanapin kita, Tanya.

Sana mapatawad mo ako sa mga nagawa ko sa'yo.

*end of flashback*

I did have a crush on her.

No, wait. I still have a crush on her.

I admire her for being brave and intelligent. Kami palagi yung nag-aagawan ng 1st honors dati. She was brilliant. Cunning. Clever.