No Matter Where You Are

P R O L O G U E

12 years ago

"Daddy look! I made some cookies! Would you and mom join me for a tea party?" I asked.

They looked at each other and smiled.

"Off course sweetie~" they replied.

We sat on the mini chairs. Meron akong teacup and pot set na binili ni ni mommy for me. I lift up the pot and asked mom.

"Mrs. Mommy, would you like some tea?"

"Yes please" she chuckled and lend the cup, hoIding it with her pinkie raised for balance as I poured some nestea drink on her cup. She took the cup and sip from it then smiled at me.

"How about you Mr. Daddy, would you like some tea?" I asked dad.

"Yes ple-"

*KNOCK KNOCK

"Come in" mom said. Then the door opened. "Marie and Axel!" Tumayo sina mommy at daddy. They greeted each other with hugs. Ganyan talaga sila ka close. Mag-barkada kasi sila since high school to college. Up until now. And they just live next door.

Mom and Dad didn't mention that they'd come. This is perfect! They can play with us too!

But looking at their faces, I think they can't.

"What's the urgent?" tanong ni daddy.

"Yung company namin sa Canada..." tito Axel said tapos huminga ito ng malalim . "Last week, bumaba ang rating nito. Mas bumaba ito kanina umaga. This could affect the other companies we have."

"That's not good. Let's have meeting. Now. " sabi ni daddy. Daddy kneel down at humarap sa'kin. He held my shoulders and said:

"I'm sorry sweetie. Maybe next time, we coul-"

"It's okay daddy, I understand" I said and gave him a fake smile.

Tita Marie approached me. She combed my hair and smiled.

"We're sorry Myrine. But don't worry! You still have a playmate " sabi niya at nag hand signal sa batang lalaki malapit sa pinto.

"His name is Lennox. You two have fun okay?" tita said. Mom and dad gave me a kiss on the forehead at umalis na silang apat.

I don't understand why they always do that. They kept on leaving me. Is their business more important than me? Naging good girl naman ako ah. May kulang-

"Hi" said the boy. I didn't notice him at all. He's like a prince charming! His skin is milky white, sharp dark eyes, but I'm a little bit taller than him.

"Hello?" he took a step forward.

"H-hi" I replied shyly and looked down the floor.

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing" tipid ko'ng sagot.

"You're bad at lying you know. I can see-"

I stood up, sat in the window seat and looked outside the window. I just ignored him. I don't want to talk to anyone right now. Seeing the same scene is so tiring. Why do I always end up being alone?

"You're not alone" he said. I didn't notice that he was standing beside me.

Pa'no niya nalaman? Is he a wizard? like Harry Potter?

"H-how did you-"

"I can tell by looking at you." he replied. He sat beside me and looked outside the window. "I know how you feel. My parents are always busy too. But you should understand them since-"

"Understand them?!" I cut him off. His eyes widened. "They don't even understand me! They never did! They're always busy with work! Ate is busy with her school! Si Marco, busy with his friends! Sina manang naman busy with the chores! I have no real friends at school! Kinakaibigan lang nila ako 'coz I'm a Fortanilla-Torres! Anak ng mayayaman at ako nalang mag isa dito-"

"I'm here" he cut me off, again. "so stop saying that you're alone"

He move a little bit closer to me. He cupped his hands on my cheeks and wiped off my tears.

Umiiyak na pala ako? "And stop crying okay?"

"O-okay" I said and looked outside the window.

"I can be your REAL friend" he said. "Let me introduce myself. Hi! My name is Lennox Elvin V. Inares."

Humarap ako sakanya.

"Ang haba naman ng name mo..." sabi ko.

"Hahaha I know right" he chuckled.

"I'll call you Levi , short for Lennox El-something V. Inares... If that's okay with you."

"I love it!" he said and gave me a sweet charming smile that I've never seen before.

"How about you? What's your name?" he asked.

"Myrina Isabella F. Torres, but since mahaba rin pangalan ko, you can call me Rina or Belle or Isa or Bella or my-"

"I'll call you Mia" he cut me off...AGAIN.

"Hilig ka talagang sumingit noh?" he just shrugged. "And why 'Mia'? Walang tumatawag sa'kin niyan." sabi ko.

"Then it would my pleasure to be the first person to call you that" "'Mia is just short for Myrina Isabella."

Ang bait niya. Handsome na nga, mabait pa and really sweet.

He lend his hand to me for a handshake.

"Bestfirends?" he asked.

"Besfriends agad? I just met you and you-"

"Ayaw mo? oka-"

I immediately took his hand. "Best Friends!"

"Since mag best buds na tayo, let's make a promise" Inangat niya ang pinkie niya.

"We'll always be together until we grow old. I'll be here for you and you'll be here for me. Forever. Promise?"

Kinapit ko ang pinkie ko sakanya. "Promise!"