THE SEARCH for Desiree's Diary [DD Series 1]

Chapter Three

Josh's POV

"Sasama ka sa Outreach Program na yun kung ayaw mong ihold ko ang cards mo at makulong ka sa bahay the whole month!" Pagpipilit sakin ni Dad na sumama sa lintik na Program na yun. Tapos ano? Maraming mahihirap na walang ibang ginawa kundi humingi at humingi ng tulong. Kasalanan naman nila kung bakit sila ganun, how pathetic!

"But Dad! I don't want to be with those trash! All I need to do is give them money and it's all set." Pagmamatigas ko.

"Money? Is that what you think this is all about? About some money? Always remember that we've been poor ourselves before, so don't you dare call them trash!" Pagi-insist ni Papa.

"Exactly Dad, you worked hard that's why we have what we have right now. And that is what they should do, they need to work hard. Hindi yung hingi lang sila ng hingi."

"You need to understand that it is not that easy Josh. And pinapasama kita para mabantayan mo rin si Marianne." Talk about favoritism.

"Marie isn't a baby na kailangan pa ng bantay, she can go there without me. And it's not my fault she's going."

"Go or Grounded?" Pagbabanta niya, as if matatakot ako. Sanay na ko sa pagiging bossy niya, mas gusto ko pa ngang wala siya dito sa bahay dahil ako palagi ang napagdidiskitahan.

"Dad let me clear things out, okay? First of all, hindi mandatory na sumama ang mga students ng Z-MU sa Outreach Program na yun. Second, It's not my duty na tulungan sila kasi di ko naman kasalan kung bakit naghihirap sila. And lastly, I have something on the day of the Outreach." I explained.

"You are not leaving this house, not unless you pupunta ka sa Program." Tumalikod na siya palabas ng pinto.

*Ring!* The telephone rang, I grabbed it and answer the call.

"Hello?" Sabi ko in a bored tone.

"Bro!" Boses ni Xander, bestfriend ko.

"Ohh Xander, what's up?"

"Di ako pinayagan nila Dad na sumama sa Outing natin. He said I need to be in the Outreach Program in Bicol. And he warned to lock me up the whole summer in my room. Hell no I don't want to be in my room doing nothing! Specially without my phone or something." Pati ka pa ba naman?

"What? Di ba pwedeng tumakas ka na lang?" I said as a matter-of-factly.

"We both know Dad, it won't work." Yeah, I remember nung tumakas kami sa bahay nila para maglaro ng video games sa bahay nila Fred, pag-uwi niya napalo siya ni Tito at di pinalabas ng bahay for a week.

"So your going?" Tinanong ko siya kung sigurado na ba talaga.

"Actually all of us. Fred, Cedrick and Ken is forced to go. Wala rin silang takas sa parents nila. Nagpahire pa nga ng Private Guards para bantayan sila just in case they try to escape." Our parents really are NOT cool. Sabi ng marami maswerte daw kami dahil may kaya kami kaya sunod sa layaw, pero kabaliktaran nun ang tunay na nangyayari. Halos lahat ng gagawin mo ay knotrolado ng parents mo, wala kang choice but to obey them.

"Same here bro. Dad want me to go because of Marie and he said I should help. What's the big deal any way?" Inis kong tanong sa kanya.

"I have no idea. So our trip is officially cancelled." I hung up and plopped my body on the bed.

~~~~~

"Ang ganda mo, alam mo ba yun?" Sabi ko sa kanya.

"Lalo na kapag nagbublush." Ang cute niya.

"Do you think we'll be able to meet again after this?" Tinanong ko dun sa batang nasa likod ko, I'm giving her a Piggy Back Ride dahil di pa niya kayang tumayo at di naman siya masyadong mabigat.

"Oo. Sabi ni Mama, kapag tunay daw yung friendship nyo, gagawa at gagawa ng paraan si Destiny para magkita ulit kayo." Masigla niyang sabi, feeling ko namula yung cheeks ko, nakakabakla buti lang di ko siya kaharap.

"So friends tayo?" Di ko siguradong tanong.

"Oo nga, ang kulit!" At pinanggigilan niya yung pisngi ko. Medyo masakit pero mas ramdam ko yung saya ngayon.

"Naniniwala ka pala kay Destiny." Mahina kong sabi pero narinig niya.

"Syempre naman." Sagot niya habang pinaglilikutan yung buhoy ko.

"Seri! San ka ba nanggaling na bata ka?" Tanong sa kanya nung kamukha niyang babae pero matanda na.

"Mama!" Sigaw ni Seri, ngayon alam ko na pangalan niya.

"Ahh, nakatapak po siya ng sea urchin." Pagkasabi ko nun, lahat nung tao dun sa cottage tumingin sakin at tinukso kaming dalawa.

"Wait picture muna, okay lang ba?" Tanong sakin nung lalaki at tumango nalang ako. Narinig kong may sinasabi si Seri pero di ko naman maintindihan dahil sa kaka-Ayiee nung mga matatanda.

"One, two, three, smile!" Pagkatapos nun ay pinasalamatan ako nung Mama ni Seri at umalis narin ako dahil gabi na at siguradong papagalitan ako ni Dad.

Masayang-masaya ako nung araw na yun. I was so happy I didn't bother listening to my father's lecture while scolding me.

I smiled remembering that moment I saw my first crush. I don't even know kung bakit gusto ko siyang hanapin, it's something really strange. I wonder kung okay lang ba siya? Sometimes I even imagine how she look like at this very time. She's making me crazy.

How am I supposed to see you Seri? Guess I'll go to the place I least expect you to be. 

Bumangon na 'ko at dumiretso sa kusina para maghapunan. Makita ko ring nandun sa silang lahat.

"I'll go." Sabi ko at nagsimula nang kumain.