Three Stars and Eight Rays of the Sun

Kabanata 3

It has to be a dream, I told myself. This couldn't be real. I was standing on a white sand by the edge of a blue sky river. The forest all around me was lavish and green, and the sound of water rushing at my feet was very calmly and peaceful. Even the air slashing at my cheeks was soothing and fresh.

"Nasaan ako?" I asked myself.

"Bakit, ayaw mo ba dito? Isn't peaceful?" answered by the girl standing next to me.

I hadn't noticed her until she spoke, but now that I had noticed, I wished I hadn't. The girl has a unique face I can't explain whatever it is. Tall, with dark-chocolate hair, and painfully smile. By looking at her, I know she was struggling. She tried to be optimistic but her face failed to hide the worst part of it. Half of her bangs was intentionally too long to cover her left face. I can't see her as a whole, I only seeing the half of her face. But her one eye, right cheek, eyebrow, and jawline was an astounding perfection. I pitied her with amazement, she melted my heart and made me swoon.

"Who are you?" I demanded.

"Soon, you will know who I am," the girl said. "Masaya akong makita ka rito."

My face fell with confusion. But before I could say something, a voice boomed through the peaceful atmosphere, darkening the sky and sending the water raging over my feet.

"Valentino, wake up! Gising na!" the voice is attacking me. I awoke with a deep breathe.

Joaquim was yelling at me. My heart was still pounding from that dream, or nightmare, hindi ko alam kung anong dapat kong itawag sa panaginip na iyon. I kicked off and shook my head, trying to blink away the drowsiness on me.

"Maaga pa, bakit mo ako ginising? I want more sleep." I cackled. I glimpse on my window and saw that it still dark outside, maybe it's already dawn.

"Gisingin daw kita sabi ni Dad. Seem he have a plan this morning with the two of us." I looked Joaquim from head to toe and I realized that he's already prepared for school. It's just 4am in the morning for sake, too early to be prepared in a 7am class.

"Do I have a choice?" tanong ko habang sarado ang mga mata. Trying to sleep again.

"Come on, get up! Or gusto mo lang matulog ulit para makita si Blanca Paraluman sa panaginip mo." My whole soul panicked when I heard that name. Suddenly I was wide awake by a rude awakening.

"Can you please stop teasing me to that name. Kagabi pa kayo nina Ruther and Julian." I exhaled my frustration as I walked across the room to get my towel. Joaquim continuously grinning while looking at me.

"What name? Blanca Paralu—" he teased.

"Stop!"

"What?"

"I don't like her!" I yelled.

"Sinabi ko bang gusto mo siya?"

"You seem to be trying to say that." I answered.

"Well, sa akin lang naman, you are acting so weird since yesterday after you met those girls." Joaquim said.

"I don't have time for this. Maliligo na nga lang ako. Bahala ka diyan." I shut him by closing the door of my bathroom.

"Bilisan mo. Naghihintay na si Dad sa ibaba. Magbabasa muna ako rito ng mga kwento mo." I opened again the door as fast as I can when I heard him saying those word.

"WAG 'YUNG NASA..."

"Yes, I know. Basahin ko na lahat-lahat ng sinulat mo, basta wag lang 'yun." He exhaled. Sinara ko na ulit ang pinto ng banyo at naligo.