Love On Fire (Fire Series #1)

Kabanata 1

"I heard Grayson took over the first place." I looked at my father who I knew for sure was disappointed with what I did. With the result of yesterday's competition which I failed again.

I nodded in response. Wala talaga akong gana sa oras na ito. It fucking hurts thinking I invested got fucked up again.

"Next time, Rashiel. I want you to take the championship. You shouldn't be intimated by that Padua. Padua lang sila. Esguerra tayo. I don't want you to grow up as a failure." Papa's voice was laced with firmness and authority. I sighed and continued chewing.

"You're pressuring your daughter again Raniel," sambit naman ni Mama sa gilid ko.

Hindi binigyan ng pansin ni Papa ang sinabi ni Mama. He hated Paduas. Simula bata pa lang ganoon na talaga. Kapag sasali si Grayson sa contest, dapat ako rin. Kung ano ang na-achieve niya dapat mas higitan ko pa.

I've lived all my life competing Padua.
He told me that I should try hard to beat him at all cost.

Naiintindihan ko naman si Papa pero masyado niya akong pine-pressure. I was also the only child. I understood Papa but sometimes all I felt was heaviness.

I lived feeling scared everytime I didn't meet or exceed my father's expectation. Kailangan ko siyang i-please. Ganoon dapat kasi kung hindi ay wala akong lugar para sa kanya.

Mom and Grayon's Mom were bestfriends. Kaya nga kahit 'di maayos ang relasyon ng mga tatay namin, hinahayaan nila lang kahit nga dito na sila tumira sa village namin.

"Sorry, Pa. I'll try harder next time," mahinang tugon ko.

"Dapat lang! You'll be graduating next year. You should win against him and ace all your exams. Dapat ikaw ang valedictorian, huh. Understood?"

"Yes, Pa." I heaved a deep sigh.

Days went on and everyone were all busy completing all the requirements. We'd be soon graduating in highschool next academic year.

Kaya lahat ng kailangan naming ipasa ay ginagawa na namin.

Lumabas na 'ko sa classroom at nagtungo sa favorite place ko. Our teacher dismissed us early kaya may time ako sa pagbabasa. Dito ako sa likod ng school. There's a space here where in you could freshly breathe. The air was also a calming breeze under the shade of tree.

Hindi kasi ako makapagbasa ng maayos dahil ang daming epal sa mundo. Ang iingay ng ibang classmate ko, may mga iba namang seryosong gumagawa ng mga projects pero 'di lang talaga ako makapag-concentrate doon.

I always come here to unwind. Since I'm already finished with the requirements I had to pass, I wasnot worried anymore unlike them.

Umupo ako sa semento at binuksan ang libro ko. The Alchemist by Paolo Coelho.

I would be reading this one again. This story never fails to amuse me. The lines can touch and impact one's life. Santiago will be always one of my favorite characters. Kaya, minsan kapag gusto ko talaga ang isang libro, hindi ako nagsasawa kahit paulit ulit kong binabasa.

"Uggh! Faster babe..." Napahinto ako sa pagbabasa when I heard that voice. Hindi ako tanga para hindi malaman kung ano ang milagrong ginagawa nila. Tumayo ako at inayos ang bag ko. Wala na tuloy akong ganang magbasa.

"Grayson. Shit! Ohh! Ohh!" Napatakip ako ng bibig nang marinig ang pangalan na 'yun. Aha! Dito pa talaga sila gumagawa ng himala! Kadiri. For heaven's sake 3rd year palang kami! Bakit ba masyado silang mapupusok? Alam ko namang siraulo 'to si Grayson pero wala man lang hiya. They should've went to motels or hotels. Why settled in school? I would be mortified if I were them.