Just Enemies

Prologue

Julie was 6 years old when she knew she was already in-love.

It was a quaint summer, not too hot and at least it wasn't humid. She was playing with her younger brother Yasser who was playing with his building blocks on the blanketed grass.

She loved her brother dearly but he was two years younger than her so he still couldn't put up with her sort of play.

Mahilig siyang mag make believe eh. Sabi nga ng parents niya napakaimaginative niyang bata. Magaling din siya magdrawing so alam na ng magulang na may art talaga siya sa katawan.

"Julie Anne!" She turned at the voice and saw her Mama Ana waving at her.

"Mommy!" She waved back. She saw that her mom wasn't alone though. She was with another woman who looked to be just like her mommy's age.

Tapos sa likod ay may nakita pa siyang naglalakad.

Doon ata nagstop ang puso niya kahit na musmos pa lamang.

It was a boy who looked like he was her age.

He looked so cute! Maputi ang kutis nito at may pagkakulot ang buhok. Nakatungo ito na para bang nahihiya habang nakasunod sa paglakad ng mommy niya at nung isa pang babae.

"Julie this is your Tita Alma, she and  her husband were best friends with your dad and me during college." Ana explained to her daughter.

Pero masyadong busy si Julie na nakatingin sa kasamang batang lalaki ng kanyang Tita Alma.

Nagkatinginan ang dalaaang matanda at sabay na tumawa.

"Julie this is Elmo your Tita Alma's son. They're going to move next door."

"Hi Elmo!" Julie greeted the small boy.

But instead of greeting her back, the boy hid behind his mother's legs.

Nagtawanan ang dalawang matandang babae habang si Julie ay napanguso. Nakakatakot ba siya? Bakit naman ganun reaksyon nung bata?

"He's a little shy Julie, but you can play with him." 

Kinakabahan pa rin na nakatingin sa kanya ang batang lalaki.

She smiled again and saw that the little boy was now beginning to smile too.

"I think they'll be good friends." Alma told Ana.

Lumapit na sa wakas si Elmo kay Julie at muling ngumit. "I-I'm Elmo..."

Magsasalita sana si Julie nang biglang lumapit si Yasser kay Elmo, gumagapang papunta dito. "MoeMoe!" Anito dahilan para matawa ang mga ina nila.

"Hi." Bati naman ni Elmo kay Yasser na nakangiti lamang.

Julie smiled to herself. She may be young but butterflies were already fluttering inside her stomach as she looked at Elmo smiling down at her baby brother.

Julie was 10 years old when she felt like she hated Elmo but still loved him.

"Julie naman eh!" Elmo groaned as he scratched the back of his head.

"Ate mamaya na lang kayo magpraktis ni Kuya Elmo." Sabat ni Yasser habang hawak ang gamit na basketball.

"Pero may practice tayo para sa recital!" Julie whined, even stomping her feet as she looked at Elmo.

Nagtawanan ang ibang bata na nandoon din sa basketball court. "O Elmo sunod na sa girlfriend mo yari ka!"

"Luh..." Elmo whispered before glaring at Julie's way.