First Love of A Royal Prince (Wattys 2018)

Untitled Part 46

"Begin," Vivian said, seriously. They formed a semi-circle in front of me. Vivian, Adrialyn, Clara, Min, and Patty are looking at me, their expressions screaming that they will not take no-nonsense explanations from me. Para silang mga Judge na magde-decide kung aakyat ka ba sa langit o hindi. Tahimik na nakikinig at nanonood sina Leo at Gin sa likod ng mga girls.

I cleared my throat. "Uhh... Couple of weeks ago, I almost hit an old woman wit my car. Remember? You, lot, visited me that day. Then Friday came, I need to meet the client who cancelled their appointment, last minute before they were supposed to arrived, with us. I forgot to mention that a name Anastasia Amalia seems so familiar to me. I was really surprised that she was my client. Then she explained that her granddaughter and grandson, who are twins, are turning 6. She also told me that she will pass the responsibility to her grandson, the oldest brother of the twins. Then someone came, well, not literally came, its almost dragging... Yes. That's the right word for it. The bodyguards were dragging someone. That someone was ranting how his Grandmother ruined her plan, that her guards dragged him from Harrington to Manila, and he wasn't prepared to face—" I sighed. "That he wasn't prepared to see A-Arrissa... That would be me, I guess?"I paused. I laughed, humorlessly.

They looked like they were absorbing my story, seriously.

"Then? What happened?" Naiintring tanong ni Clara.

"Go on. Tell us what happened," Adrialyn said, encouraging me.

I nodded my head. "I sat up and turned around. And... And I saw Matthew. God... I don't know to face him. I'm not prepare to face him! It didn't even cross to my mind that he will come back. Well, I admit, I'm always thinking of him, every night," I shrugged. Not even noticing the exchanged knowing glances and smirks of her best friends.

"But not to the point of wishing him to come back! Then he was so shocked too! Maybe he didn't expect that he will see me with his grandmother. When I looked at him, something clicked on my mind. Like a puzzle was solved. That's way I knew that name! That I'm quite familiar with that name Anastasia Amalia. Its his grandmother! The queen, uhh... The former queen, since his father and mother ruled the Kingdom now. Then his grandmother fooled him, saying 'Prince Matthew of Harrington, is that how you great a lady?'," she aced in imitatinng the voice and act of Matthew's grandmother. Hindi kasi matanggal sa isip niya ang inakto ng ginang. Napaka-elegante talaga nito, kayang-kaya niyang dalhin ang sarili.

"Then Matthew suddenly change into his Prince act. He looked so serious and cold that time. He said, "Apologies, your Highness". God! I saw how he changed so much! Then his Grandmother left us alone. Hindi naman ako nagtagal dahil may nakuha na kong informations about the twins kay Madame Amalia. We met again for an afternoon meeting and the one that you saw us together. That's it," I looked at them, tiredly.

"Maybe you're really meant for each other..." Vivian trailed off. Malungkot itong nakatingin sa kawalan.

"Vivian..."

"No, girls. I'm fine," she smiled, fakely. "It's Arrissa's problem and we need to help her. Let me ask you a question, Arrissa. Do you still love him?"

Napapikit ako sa tanong niya. Do I still love him?

Sorbang tagal niyang nawala. Kahit kailan hindi ko nakalimutan ang mga alaala natin na magkasama. I love Sulkie because he came from him. He gone miles to give me Sulkie. Alam niyang nalulungkot ako at nasasaktan sa ginawa niya.

Sino ba namang hindi masasaktang nang malaman mong iiwan ka ng mahal mo?

Every night, I still clutched the box, as if with that way he will come back.