Star Princess

22nd Star: Parting Ways

In a few days, Alyx was introduced to the press as the daughter of Dominic See, Alyx Herrera. Mainit siya na tinanggap ng press at ng mga prominenteng tao ng Macau at iba-ibang bansa. Even her father was commended for his honesty about having a daughter out of wedlock. Siya na muna ang mamamahala sa Grande Verde Hotel habang magpapahinga lang muna si Dominic/Doleer due to health reasons.

Ang totoo niyan, lilipad na pabalik si Doleer sa Kerle kasama sila Zaida at Ziv. Kaya sinulit na nila ang mga araw na sila ay magkakasama. Bumalik sila ng Hong Kong para mamasyal at bisitahin ang iba-ibang lugar doon, gaya ng Ngong Ping 360, Avenue of Stars, Mongkok Night Market, at Victoria Peak. Pinaka-nag enjoy sila sa Disneyland. Syempre, kasama rin nila sila Luis at Jabe.

Masaya silang nakabalik sa Macau. Sa huling gabi na sila ay magkakasama ay ganito ang naging usapan.

"Luis and Jabe, you know what we are, right?" Tumawa si Doleer sa kanila.

"I thought aliens look like those in the Alien movies," biro ni Luis.

"You earthlings never got it right," iritadong sagot ni Ziv. "I felt offended watching those aliens onscreen with tentacles and such."

"You can walk by an alien and still not know it," ika ni Doleer. Tinignan niya si Zaida. "Miss Niraan, if ever we come back here, you're free to do as you please."

"What?" Mukhang na off guard si Zaida sa sinabi ni Doleer.

"Sabi ni papa, mag-asawa ka na! Get married!" Biro ni Alyx.

"You and Luis look good together!" Halata ang kagalakan ni Doleer.

"I saw you guys holding hands at Disneyland!" Jabe pointed out sabay hiyawaan nila ni Alyx.

Namumulang tinignan ni Zaida si Luis. Di mapigilan ni Luis na tumawa sa kanya, like they're sharing a secret between each other.

"I can't wait to have a grandchild from Zaida!" Biro ni Doleer.

"No!" Tinakpan ni Zaida ang kanyang mukha habang natawa ang lahat sa dining table.

Nang matapos ang hapunan, kanya kanya na sila ng gayak. Nagpaalam na sila Ziv at Doleer habang bumalik na sa kanilang hotel rooms sila Alyx at Zaida.

"Alyx, usap muna tayo," tawag sa kanya ni Jabe.

Pumayag naman si Alyx na sumama sa kanya. Naglakad sila patungo sa isang teraso na overlooking ang buong Cotai Strip. Kita sa malayo ang mga maliliwanag na ilaw mula sa mga hotel at casino.

"Imagine, all of these is yours!" Amazed na amazed si Jabe. Ang dating barista na inaway niya dati ay naging kaibigan niya at ngayon ay malapit nang maging manager ng hotel na ito.

"Di naman ako agad CEO. Start at the bottom muna, as Assistant Manager for Restaurants and Cafes. That sounds difficult, but I want to learn. Paano naman ikaw, Jabe?" Tanong niya.

"Well, tatapusin ko na sabbatical leave ko at balik trabaho na ulit. I'll be assigned in Singapore. Si Tito Luis, doon pa rin sa uni babalik."

Nanahimik si Jabe. He stole glances at Alyx from time to time.

He realized that she's a good friend. Though he had a crush on her once, he couldn't see himself being in a romantic relationship with her. It's rare to find friendship with someone like her. And friendship with a girl doesn't always have to end up with a declaration of love. Minsan mas okay na rin maging friends. On a scale of 1 na platonic talaga to 10 na hopelessly in love, Jabe stands with a 1.

"Jabe, bisita ka dito ah? Gawan natin ng paraan sila Ate Z at Tito Luis para magkatuluyan," tawa niya. "Shipping, you know."

Jabe laughed. "Naku, doon na sila papunta. Ate mo lang ang problema."

"Alam mo naman iyon, Ice Princess. She feels it but she doesn't show it."

"Alyx, ikaw naman, Star Princess. Who would have thought I'll be friends with a rich alien girl?" Jabe leaned against the railing.

"Being rich means being responsible for yourself and others."

"Tama ka."

Silence fell between them. Finally, Alyx asked the question she was itching to ask Jabe.

"Jabe? May gusto akong itanong sa iyo."

"Ano iyon, Star Princess?"

"Did you... Did ever liked me at some point?"

Jabe smiled.

"I did. But I realized we're better off as friends. Rare gem ka, pati friendship natin. What about you?" He suddenly felt curious as to how Alyx saw him.

"Ganoon din naman ako eh. I mean, I was never close friends with a guy, ikaw lang. Awkward noong una. Alam ko naman kasi trip mo ako, but you proved yourself a gentleman despite that." Alyx smiled.

"I'm glad walang bitterness sa atin kasi di tayo naging mag boyfriend." Si Jabe.

"Sana lang yung magiging girlfriend mo, di maging bitter sa akin," paalala ni Alyx.

"Same with your future boyfriend," ngiti ni Jabe.

"So, we'll be friends?" Jabe asked.

"Friends." Alyx stated smilingly at maluwag sa kalooban.

"No bitterness?"

"Huwag lang tayo kakain ng ampalaya!" Biro ni Alyx.

They did a pinky promise.

---

Umalis na ng Cotai Strip sila Zaida, Doleer, at Ziv. Nagtungo sila sa isang secret hangar na matatagpuan malapit sa isang bundok. Gabi sila umalis para hindi mahalata.

Alyx hugged her father goodbye.

"Bumalik ka ah. Please come back after this." Pinalis ni Alyx ang kanyang mga luha.

"I will, my child." Doleer hugged her tightly.

Sunod na pinuntahan ni Alyx si Zaida.

"Galingan mo makipaglaban. Gusto ko na makita ang Kerle very soon."

"Kaya namin sila."

Zaida gave Alyx a hug. "Bye sis."

Hearing the word "sis" from Zaida made her feel warmth from the inside.

"We're off. I'll be flying the vessel," Ziv told them.

"Please fight well. And thanks for taking care of my father for all these years."

Nakipagkamay si Alyx kay Ziv.

"We'll return, don't worry." Ziv smiled at them.

Tahimik na pinanood ni Alyx at Jabe ang tatlong magkakasama. They were going to board a silver space vessel shaped like an oval.

Zaida was the last to go. Aakyat na sana siya nang bigla siyang bumalik.

"Luis!"

She saw Luis Moran running toward her. She met him with a hug and they remained that way for a while.

"Himala, napayakap ka sa akin!" Tawa ni Luis when she let go of her.

"I can't help being sentimental," Zaida laughed.

"You'll make it. Don't worry," ika ni Luis sa kanya.

Zaida smiled at him for the last time. She walked away and finally climbed up the vessel.

The engine started. A loud roar was heard. The hangar gates opened slowly and the vessel flew in a swift motion.

Alyx and Jabe looked upwards the sky. Luis smiled to the heavens.

They were all hoping for their return someday, soon enough.

(End of Star Princess)