Unswerving Desire [ON-GOING]

Chapter 1

"Chloe, I'll call you later. Mom's calling me." pagpaalam ko kay Chloe

Well Chloe is my classmate and we're doing a video call because we have to finalize our reporting which will be happening tomorrow. Today is sunday and my mom is disturbing me to come down. I don't know what's with her and it feels like its very urgent. Duh.

I rolled my eyes when I realized why my mom is so noisy calling me to go down, it's because she has some visitor. I don't know why she have to call me, it's her visitor anyway but I don't want to upset her so I just went downstairs.

"Oh come here now Vanessa, let's eat our lunch. May bisita pa naman tayo." sabe ni Mommy

I was taken a back and I couldn't speak because I can't believe who's in front of me. It's none other than Braden Jacob! It's been a year since the last time I saw him, that was when we visited their province, Casagrande Island. We stayed there for one night only though I wanted to stay longer but my mom and dad still have to work so I don't have a choice but to leave the beautiful island.

"But m-mom.. I'm on a diet." saad ko

It's true I'm on a diet because next next week we'll be having our cheerleading competition already so our coach strictly reminding us not to gain weight para mas madali kaming mabuhat sa ere.

"No, you should eat. Wag mo nalang damihan just join us here. See? Kakarating lang ni Bradon galing sa casagrande." saad ni Mama

Di na ako umimik and just sit down next to her. I'll just eat apple I don't want to break coach's order. I looked at him and noticed that there's some changes to his features he looks much more handsome than last year. I'm not going to deny it since it's really true. Suddenly I'm wondering how do I look from him. Do I look prettier than last year? I mean actually the main question is, does he find me pretty when he first saw me?

Duh! There's no need for you to know his opinion, Vanessa! You don't need it besides it's enough that many people said that you look really good plus isn't not an evidence already that a lot of guys are after you?

"Diba lilipat kana dito sa Manila Braden?" tanong ni Mommy

Wow really? Lilipat na siya dito? I'm sure magiging babaero to dito. It's actually not hard for him to find some girls or girlfriend at all since he's handsome. Girls would probably go crazy if they would see him. I mean it sounds oa but I'm just stating the truth. Buti nalang I'm not one of those girls. I praised guys who are good looking but I never want to chase after them. Never.

"Opo, dito na po ako mag fifith year." saad niya

Fifth year? But it's still August so does he mean he dropped his classes in Casagrande?

"Pero this october pa yung second sem ah." saad ni Mommy

I waited for his answer but I acted like I wasn't. I was eating my apple and I'm fighting the urge not to look at him. It will be obvious that I'm listening and probably wants to know his answer.

"Yes po, it's fine. I actually took an advance study this summer that's why I was able to finish the first sem ahead. Just last month I finished it so that I could enroll this October para sa next sem dito sa Manila." saad niya

I couldn't help but to amazed at him. Grabe he must be so smart! That he survived taking the advance classes. I wanted to do the same but my mom and dad don't want me to. They said what if we need to go to other countries and stay there baka maiwan lang ako dito. See? I'm already 17 yet they act as if I'm still 8 years old.

"I see, so saan ka magststay ngayon? You can stay here if you want. You may use the guess room." alok ni Mommy

I almost spit out the apple because of mom's suggestion. What the hell? Sa guest room talaga? Which is just located next to my room? I mean he can stay in the third floor.

Maybe mom is thinking that it would be hassle for Braden to go in the third floor but still! Won't that be so awkward na may possibility na magkikita o magkakasabay kame when we want to go out from our room?

"Ah wag na okay lang po, Tita. May pinadala naman saamin na pera si Tatay at baka bibili nalang ako ng condo near Brighton."

What Brighton?? Brighton University?? Does he mean we'll have stay in the same university??

Mom immediately spoke and her voice just radiated with excitement and I have a feeling kung bakit.
"That's great! Sa Brighton ka ba magaaral? That's where Vanessa is currently studying, right darling?" tanong ni Mommy saakin

Nahihiya akong ngumiti at tumango. I also felt my cheeks burning up when he looked at me. Gosh! I'm used of good-looking guys staring at me. I never blushed whenever guys stare at me instead I looked at them too with full of confidence but with him, I dont know! It irritates me knowing he can easily blushed me just like that. It's so difficult to explain.

"Anyway How's Manang Deliah?" tanong ni Mom

And I immediately looked at him, waiting for his answer. This time I didn't bother to care if I look so obvious hearing his answer because first and foremost I really want to know if how's Manang.

"Okay lang ayun nagpapahinga pa rin. Madalas tumataas yung dugo niya. Ilang beses ko na sinabihan na wag na kumain ng karne minsan matigas pa rin yung ulo niya." saad niya

I'm suddenly worried about Manang. Just this summer, we got a news from Braden that she got a heart attack. I wanted to go with her pero walang makakasama saakin, busy kase sila Mommy at Daddy.

"Ganun ba? Bat di nalang dito tumira si Manang? We can pick her up and we'll provide her wants at mas maganda dito kase mamominitor siya dito."

Umiling si Braden. "Ayaw niya gusto niya doon lang daw siya. Andun naman iyong dalawang kapatid niya. Inaalagan siya. Ayaw ko nga sana iwan siya don kaya nagtalo kame ayun agad na naman tumaas ang dugo niya. Kaya sinunod ko nalang siya kahit labag sa loob ko."

I can hear that he really doesn't want to leave Manang Deliah but if he won't, baka mastress lang si Manang ulit. I know that Manang loves her son so much and she wanted it to have a good future. I couldn't help but to praised manang for being such a brave woman. I learned from Mommy that she left Braden at a very young age, like 3 years old pa ata just to sustain Braden needs. Yung Daddy kase ni Braden umalis at di na alam ni Manang Deliah kung nasaan, although she never bothered to look for Braden's Daddy instead nagtrabaho nalang siya so she could give Braden a better future.

On the other side, I admire Braden for being such an understanding son. I know that not all children can understand their parent's situation. Imagine you'll be left by your mother at a very young age that's why no wonder some people end up hating their parents since they couldn't be able to understand their parent's reason for leaving them behind but there are a few as well who would be able to understand their parents Braden is one of those.

Braden indeed lucky for having Manang Deliah as his mom, who didn't think to abort him and love him. Manang Deliah had to sacrifice just for him and at the same time, she has to play the role as being a mom and dad to Braden while on the other hand, Manang Deliah is also lucky for having a very understanding son. Who didn't hate her for leaving him but instead understand her and still love her even if she's afar, working.

"Ganun ba sge sabihan mo lang kame pagkailangan ka niyo ng tulong para kay Manang Deliah ha?"

Tumango si Braden at tipid na ngumiti. "Ikaw ba? Wala ka bang gusto? What about the things in your condo? Or do you want a car para gamitin mo yun as a means of transportation." alok pa ni Mommy

He immediately shook his head. "No Tita, thank you for all the offers pero okay lang na mag commute ako sanay naman na ako besides, kung makakuha ako ng condo malapit sa Brighton, I could just walk." saad niya at ngumiti.

I couldn't help but to amazed at Braden, he's the silent type of guy. He has his own world and he doesn't seem to mind it. Although he is silent but when you look at him, contentment is so evident in his face.