Searching the Stars (Montereal Series #1)

[6]

I remembered the first day I met Santi and Trent. I was a shy little girl who doesn't speak to strangers. Isa yun sa mga kinaiinisan ko sa sarili ko noon pa man.

I wished I was strong enough to talk to the person para maging friends kami or para may ma-establish naman na relationship but I hated doing the first move!

I am the type of person that would wait till the other person approaches me and initiate the conversation. Some would think I am boring, or suplada pero ang totoo lang niyan ay hindi ko alam ang isasagot ko. Lagi nalang akong speechless.

"Asteria... greet your ninang and ninong." utos ni Mommy sa akin.

I was at the back of Mommy habang nakatingin sa dalawang halos kasing edad ni Mommy and Daddy. They were both smiling at me with awe.

I was wearing a pink dress and white doll shoes. Meron rin akong headband na pink. I almost looked like a princess, kulang nalang may crown.

"You look pretty, hija." Ninang commented.

Lumapit ako sa kanila at nagmano.

"Mama! Si Kuya!"

Napatingin ako sa may hagdanan. Two boys were going down the stairs. The other one is laughing, obviously enjoying the other boy's misery. The other boy who looked younger is annoyed with loud and heavy steps.

The other boy was smirking, while walking down the stairs. Patuloy siyang naglalakad habang di pinapansin ang nasa likod na mas bata sa kanya. Ninang's face looked so done with the two of them, like she's used to do this.

"Trent! Santi! Hindi na kayo nahiya, we have guests!" sermon ni Ninang sa kanilang dalawa.

Kinausap naman ni Ninang yung mas bata na lalaki. Umiling-iling lang si Santi at pumunta sa harap namin. His gaze quickly averted to me.

"Oh, is that Santiago and Trent? mga binata na ah," Lola commented. My Mom's mother.

Tito Emmanuel chuckled. "Yes, but they still act like kids. Pero hilig pa rin inisin ang kapatid niya."

The boy, whom I known as Santi is looking at me. He smiled at me so I smiled back. Pinakilala ako ni Tito. He held out his hand for me to shake kaya tinanggap ko naman 'yon.

Nakaramdam ako ng kaba nung nahawakan ko 'yung kamay niya.

The last time I had a crush was back in pre-school. Si Matteo. Madalas ko kase siya kalaro at katawagan sa landline dati. However, he graduated early kaya naman di na kami nagkita. He was, however the last one that made my heart thump. I always wanted to see him and interact with him.

He looked different from the other boys that I know. Though, I wasn't really exposed to boys that much. Naiilang na kase ako pag biglang sasabihin na liligawan daw ako sa future. Eh, puro laro lang naman ang habol ko. We are too young to think about that.

"He looks just like you, Emmanuel."

Lumapit na si Ninang at si Trent. He looked almost as identical as his brother but you could still see some differences with them. Mas malalim ang mata ni Trent at mas singkit ng konti kaysa kay Santi. Kung mas mature lang siguro itong si Trent baka mas gwapo na siya kay Santi. He still looked so young and cute.

"This is my 2nd son, Trent Lucas." pakilala ni Ninang sa amin.

He smiled at my Lola and Mommy.

Nung ngumiti naman siya sa akin ay nahahalata kong pilit. Mukha rin siyang suplado. Unlike his brother who had a friendly atmosphere. Siya naman, pakiramdam ko ayaw akong makita dito. Parang ang lalim kase makatitig, parang may galit sa akin.