The Life Of A Gold Digger

Chasing Butterflies

This is Akiko and Miguel's story. If you want to read more, look for the book entitled "Chasing Butterflies."

Thank you so much.

Simula

I n f a t u a t i o n

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I heard my classmates giggled when they saw a group of college boys enter our building.

Bumilis ang pintig ng puso ko ng marinig ko kung sinong grupo ang dumalaw sa grade school department ngayong hapon.

It's the college basketball team.

"Kuya!" sigaw ni Keeshia sa kuya nitong nakadungaw sa bintana ng classroom namin. Halos lahat ng mga kaklase kong babae ay nagsihabaan ang mga leeg para masilayan ang mga nagsisiguwapuhang varsity team.

I scanned the group of boys and my heart skipped a beat when I saw his chingky eyes.

He is not a typical chinito boy. His lips are small and reddish. His hair is in a clean cut. He is very tall, perfect for a basketball player. And unlike other chinito guys, his complexion is a bit tan, most probably because he is an athlete. And don't forget that his body is like a body of a greek god, molded to perfection.

Siniko ako ng kaibigan. "Aki, yung bibig mo." natatawang sita ni Keeshia sa akin ng maabutang pinagpapantasyahan si Miguel. Hindi ko namalayang tapos na pala silang mag-usap ng kuya niya.

Patay malisya kong iniiwas ang tingin, at tila ba walang pakeelam kahit paalis na ang grupo nila Miggy.

"Kuya said they will be having a practice this afternoon, at baka gabihin siya. Kaya hindi na siya sasabay sa akin." paliwanag nito habang unti unti na din namang bumalik sa dating ayos ang mga tao sa classroom dahil umalis na ang mga college boys.

Wala sa sarili naman akong tumango. Hindi gaanong interesado sa ibang sinabi ng kaibigan, except for one thing. They are having a basketball practice. My eyes twinkled as I imagined him wearing his school jersey, playing ball. While I'm on the bleachers, cheering for him like I'm a lovesick girlfriend.

I'm Akiko Fukushima. And my 10 year-old heart is infatuated with Miguel Del Mundo. The heartrob varsity of the college department of our school.

I know it's a bit early for these kind of things. I'm only 10, while he is already 17. He is 7 years older than me which is why it is quite impossible for him to notice me.

Let's not forget the fact that Miggy is actually a womanizer. Kalat sa buong campus na kaliwa't kanan ang babae niya. Kung kaya't hindi na ako magugulat kung hindi nito mapansin ang batang kagaya ko.

Ever since I saw him play noong minsang pinanood namin ni Keeshia sa tryout ang kuya nito, I tried everything to look and act more mature.

I stopped playing barbie dolls, and got rid of my colorful clothes. Instead, I focused on improving my style, and started to use a simple lip gloss which turned my pink lips even more pinkish.

Keeshia is my best friend ever since we were pre-school. Si Kuya Keanne, ang kapatid nito ay kaklase ni Miguel. I know I should be calling him Kuya as well. Pero hindi ko magawa. Alam kong may malisya ang pagtingin ko sakanya. Kung kaya't hindi ako kumportableng tawagin itong kuya.

He doesn't actually know I exist. He is quite famous, kung kaya't madalas ay napapalibutan ito ng mga mayayaman at sikat din niyang mga kaibigan.

Madalas ko lang naman siyang nasisilayan tuwing sinasamahan ko si Keeshia na manood ng practice nila tuwing hapon. I do it on purpose everytime I get a chance to.

Hindi ko inamin kay Keeshia na may pagtingin ako kay Miguel, pero sa mga kinikilos sa loob ng ilang buwan ay nasisiguro kong bistado na ako ng kaibigan.

"I can't believe you. You promised me we'll not like guys not unless we're 18. Ano 'to?" dismayadong sita ng kaibigan sa akin ng mapagtanto kung ano ang nararamdaman ko para sa kaklase ng kuya niya.

"It's just a harmless crush, Keesh. Don't overthink!" inosente ko namang sagot dito.

I know I said it's just a harmless crush. Infatuation. Lilipas din ito. Pagdating namin ng high school, I'll find someone else to like. Someone my age. Nagustuhan ko lang naman si Miguel dahil sakanyang manly features. Dahil ang mga kaklase ko ay bata pa, at sadyang maliliit pa. This is harmless. Right? Or so I thought.

"Hey, you got something on your back." nanigas ako sa kinatatayuan ko ng marinig ko ang boses na iyon. It's his voice, hindi ako pwedeng magkamali. Nasa canteen ang lahat ng tao para sa aming recess, maging si Keeshia ay busy na nakapila doon. Habang ako ay nandito sa garden at hinihintay ang pagbalik nito. I cannot believe he is here. Kumunot ang noo ko sa sinabi nito, at dahan dahan siyang hinarap.

He is breathtakingly handsome. Perpektong perpekto ang facial features niya at wala akong maipintas dito. Teka, ano nga ulit ang sinabi nito?

"Are you okay, Aki? You got a little something on your skirt. You're bleeding." I think I will start hyperventilating any minute now. He knows my name. He knows my name. How did he know my name? Sinabi ba ito sakanya ni Kuya Keanne? Pero teka, ano nga ulit ang sabi niya? I'm bleeding? Natataranta kong sinilip ang sky blue kong skirt at nanlaki ang mga mata ko ng makitang may pula ngang mantsa doon.

Oh my god, I just got my first period... And Miguel Del Mundo saw it!