The Courtship of A Dragon (Encantadia Modern AU)

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HITANO

The words of the older man still lingered on his head. Are we clear, Mr. Magno? Not a hint of toughness in the voice but still, the message was strong. Plus, there's no formality lost between them. They had been extremely chummy ever since Pirena had invited him over after a year of friendship.

Yes, sir. May magagawa pa ba siya? It's not like magagawa niyang tumutol. Future father-in-law yun eh, and if he had to do everything (even the insane ones) just so he could please the man, he would do it. He's the man with the last decision. Ang may huling salita...

"What? Ano ulit?" Aquil asked him, as if he hadn't just spilled the beans seconds ago. Kung ibinababa lang kasi ni Aquil ang cellphone niya at tinutuon ang buong atensyon sa bawat salitang binibitiwan niya, maybe Hitano wouldn't say things twice. Maswerte siya't Hitano's known for his long patience.

Hitano sighed, his right hand on his forehead. "Enou won't allow me to date Alena." He closed his eyes out of disbelief. Boto na sa kanya si Tita Mine-a. Daddy's girl or not, a father is a force to be reckon with. "Heck, kahit ligawan siya, not until Pirena finally date somebody."

Muros stifled a laugh. "That's like asking for snow in the Philippines." His bearded friend sat down beside Aquil on the only couch available in the studio. "Napagdiskitahan uli si Shakespeare this time, I bet." Enou's known to be an ardent book worm.

"Well, I heard nagka-snow dati sa Baguio..." Aquil offered and Hitano threw a bag of chips at his direction. He failed to catch it. He's not known for being a good catcher and Hitano's stepsister fully knew that. "So, anong gagawin mo?"

"This leave me no choice but," Hitano paused for a minute. He had no idea why he refrained from speaking. Pirena wouldn't​ appear for another half an hour. Maybe because it tasted strange on his tongue. "but to have a search for our girl's one true love." He said dramatically, right hand placed atop where his heart is. Dapat tigilan na niya ang pagsama-sama kay Alira.

"Ang corny nun." Aquil had put into words what Hitano had just felt after saying them.

"The search for Pirena's One True Love," Muros said, picking idly at Aquil's bass guitar. "it sounds like that one show with a promising premise but a disappointing ending."

"Tama si Raimi, Hitano." Aquil said, munching over the barbeque-flavored potato chips. Definitely not his favorite pero hindi pa sila kumakaing tatlo since lunch so he should be content on what life's, or for that matter, what Hitano had thrown him. "This is Pirena we're talking about. You better say bye-bye to Alena."

"Bye-bye, Ali." Muros echoed. "Bye-bye." He repeated, with hands. "You're not even sure of your feelings yet."

Hitano ignored the giant's last sentence. He smirked. "Alena's not the only one being hold back, keep that in mind." He said, looking knowingly at his two best friends.

Both had turned pale. He knew this would work out. Just let them process the new information, Hitano.

"Ohh," both had uttered. Whether they admit it or not, the two both have feelings for his future wife's twin. Well, it was Pirena who presented the suspicion to Hitano two weeks ago.

Now it was confirmed.

"I have to do this and I can't do it without your help, guys." Now Hitano finally opened up the idea he had conceived on his way to the studio. "I really, really, really like Alena."

Somebody snorted at that but Hitano had no clue how did it.

"What are friends for, if we don't help you?" Muros was the first one to comply. Malaki man at intimidating sa paningin, he's still the heart of the group. What a big heart that is. "Sure, count me in."

"Hindi madali pero sige." Aquil followed. "Eto, my cousin's available."

"You're not talking about Arrys, are you?" Muros immediately asked. Arrys was a fairytale story in its original form. "Joke lang 'yun, di ba?

"Sino pa ba?" Aquil shrugged. "I have no other cousin, beside him, who's single and ready to mingle."

"SHE LOATHES HIM."

"Saka na lang intindihin 'yun," Hitano stood up and walked towards his keyboard. They were to participate in the orientation next week and they haven't practiced yet. One of Hitano's least favorite things is yung mapahiya sila, lalo na sa mga first-year students. This isn't high school anymore. "Just throw all the names of possible prospectives for Pirena and we'll do a background check later on. I have to make--"

"You have to what?" They froze on their places. Apparently, Pirena was dismissed by her 'favorite' Dean Arde earlier than expected. From the looks of her eyebrows and her big eyes, hindi sila titigilan nito hangga't hindi nila sinasabi ang sikreto.

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A V I S A L A E S H M A :)
Thank you for reading!!! I'd appreciate a comment or two.