To The One I Loved

Chapter 1

CHAPTER ONE

"Hun, bakit pa lalayo kung marami naman trabaho dito sa Pilipinas?" tinignan ng dalaga ang kasintahan ng mayroong knowing look. "Pero malalayo ka sakin, we will be miles and miles away." napabuntong hininga si Lia at iniwas ang tingin kay Peter. Nasa passenger seat sya kasulukuyan ng binata dahil sabay silang papasok ng Center Valley University.

"Uulit na naman tayo sa usaping ito, Peter?"

"I don't want to argue with you about this either but we need to talk this out."

"You could come with me." hopeful na suhestiyon ng dalaga sa kasintahan.

Itinigil ni Peter ang sasakyan sa gilid ng kalsada at tumingin sa katabi na nakatingin na sa kanya.

"Alam mong hindi pwede."

"At alam mo rin ang gusto ko... you knew it was my dream. I've been vocal about it, diba?"

"I know. But is it wrong to hope that you may found a reason to stay? Ginagawa ko ang lahat para kako hindi mo na isiping umalis... Am I not enough reason though?"

Natahimik si Lia at hindi makasagot. Napaisip sya, is Peter not enough? Alam nyang mahal na mahal nya ang binata, it's a genuine feeling.

"I love you, Peter. So much... but..."

"Hindi ako sapat." malungkot na dugtong nito. Mabilis umiling si Lia at inabot ang kanyang kamay.

"Hindi! Hindi sa ganuon. Hindi ko kayang mawala ka sakin."

"Then why can't you stay? Kaya naman kitang buhayin. I can give you luxury, you actually don't have to work."

Natahimik si Lia sa narinig. It wasn't about to have luxurious life, it isn't the reason why she wanted to work in Paris. Ever since, she has a strong urge to grow, an urge to explore herself; her weakness and vigor. She want to meet different people, experience culture and learn the differences. She want to see how vast the world- she want to see it with him but she knew it won't possible for Peter, as he is destined to follow his father's footsteps.

Lia sigh, now torn between in pursuit of her dream and the love of her life.

* * * * *

"Anong mukha yan Lia? Oh my Gad!! Naghiwalay na ba kayo ni Peter?!!!" mabilis sumama ang tingin ni Lia kay Kelly- her bestfriend and neighbour, nang makasalubong ito paakyat ng classroom nila.

"Hindi na kami maghihiwalay no!"

"Hoy! Walang forever friend."

"Bitter kalang kamo! Hindi kasi pinapansin ni Ully e." Napangiti ito dahil doon natahimik ang kaibigan. Ngumuso naman si Kelly at umirap.

Sabay na silang naglakad papuntang classroom. Lia clings her arm to Kelly. She is always grateful having her, dahil naging kaibigan nya ito. Kahit na ilang metro lang ang pagitan nila ng bahay sa kanilang bayan ay magkaiba ang mga ito ng pinasukan nuong Elementarya at High School. Madalas silang dalawa ang magkalaban tuwing may mga Quiz Bee o Writing Contest dahil pareho silang pambato ng kani-kanilang paaralan. Pero dahil doon ay nagkalapit ang dalawa na naging dahilan upang maging magkaklase ngayong kolihiyo dahil pareho ay nabigyan ng full scholarship ng iisang paaralan dito sa maynila.