Radiance in the Mountains (Paraiso Series #1)

Simula

Simula

"Nasaan na ba si Hazrita?"

We were in school para magpractice ng roleplay na gagawin namin sa MAPEH ngayong Lunes. And this, Hazrita is freaking late. Pa espesyal masyado dahil siguro isa siyang Sellas.

Naiinis na ako dahil siya ang nagset ng oras na alas otso pero siya pa ang may ganang malate.

Thirty minutes late siya nang makarating siya kasama ang pinsan niyang si Zyk.

"Sorry talaga guys." Paumanhin niya.

Tsk papansin lang yan eh.

"Okay si Hadex ang Romeo. Who wants to be his Juliet?" Tanong nung leader namin sa grupo.

I looked at Daryah, the girl I really liked. She is timid. Prim and proper. Just like my type.

"Ako Jaz!" May sumigaw na kaklase ko. And my mood immediately went sour nang makita ko kung sino yun.

The Sellas girl. Tsk. I hate her.

"Ayoko! Si Daryah ang gusto kong maging Juliet. Ayoko sa kanya dahil bobo yan!" Sagot ko.

Everyone was silent. Even her was dumbfounded. Kahit ako, natigilan ako sa sinabi ko.

I saw a tear fell on her eye. I didn't mean to sound rude pero yun ang lumabas sa bibig ko. Shit.

It was a couple of seconds nang sinugod ako ng pinsan niya. Sinuntok niya ako at dinuro.

"Anong karapatan mo para sabihan ng ganyan si Hazri ha?!" Singhal nito sakin.

Inawat siya ng ibang kaklase namin at dun ko napagtantong mali ako.

Maling-mali ako.

Lumipas ang mga araw at hindi na ako pinapansin ni Hazrita. Nung una, akala ko konsensya lang yun kaya patuloy ang buhay ko. I did not even asked for her forgiveness. Masyadong prideful ako nun.

I courted Daryah dahil gusto ko siya. Pero habang nililigawan ko siya, hindi ko maalis sa utak ko si Hazrita. It was like my conscience was hunting me up until college.

Konsensiya ba talaga to?

Hindi ako sinagot ni Daryah dahil pag-aaral daw muna ang uunahin niya. I was actually glad kasi ayokong ipaalam sa kanya na nahuhulog na ako kay Hazrita.

"Pota bro nabusted lang naman ni Ellyas yung pinakagwapo naming kaklase. Tangina ang tigas niya." Halakhak nung kaibigan kong kaklase ni Hazi.

I was happy to know na hindi siya nagpapaligaw at ayaw niyang magkaroon ng boyfriend.

She grew up strong with so much love for herself. She may looked like bragging her achievements but she's actually not. Siya ang pinakahumble na taong nakilala ko. Ayaw lang niyang apakan siya ng iba that's why she always present herself decently and discreetly.

"Enjoying the party?" Zyk asked me with his mask on while holding a glass of whiskey.

"Is she here?" I asked instead of answering him.

"Oo pero nasa loob lang siya ayaw niyang makipagsalamuha sa mga tao. You know her. She hates parties." Zyk answered.

"Can I see her?"

"Pwedi bro pero don't take your mask off. She won't like it when she sees you. You know her wrath." Si Ador ang sumagot na sumulpot lang bigla.

"Sige."

Dinala nila ako sa kusina at pinaghintay doon. Minutes later, may babaeng naka gown ng blue ang pumasok sa kusina. She was not wearing any mask kaya nakilala ko kaagad.

She's beyond beauty. Damn.

I tried to approach her.

"Hi."

"I'm not interested in you." Malamig na sagot niya.

Shit. Parang binuhosan yata ako ng malamig na tubig dun.

She was not the sama Hazrita I know back in highschool who was jolly. She changed. She's strict in looks and intimidating.

Tama nga sila, pinipili lang niya ang mga taong nginingitian niya. Masyadong mahal ang ngiti niya.

"Dex sa UP daw mag memed school si Hazrita mo. Ano take tayo exam?" Tanong ni Ador sakin.

"Sige ba!"

Pumasa ako sa med school ng UP but only to find out she went to Harvard to study med school there.

After our graduation and board exams, I was hopeful na uuwi siya rito but she stayed for three long years in US with her mom.

I patiently waited for her and I never dated nor went out with any woman. Even Daryah who tried to reach out to me after she finished her studies did not succeed in winning my heart again.

It was reserved for Hazi.

"Bro! Uuwi na si Hazi bebe mo next week and she's staying in Camiguin for good." Pershik announced like nobody's business kasi malakas ang boses niya sa loob ng clinic ko rito sa Sellas Hospital sa Manila.

Parang gusto ko yatang lumipad ngayon din para makita ko si Hazri agad. Pero I have things to do here kaya pinagpaliban ko nalang muna at nakikisagap nalang ng balita tungkol sa kanya. I stayed here for another year.

"Ador told me na may bakanteng posisyon daw sa Sellas Hospital sa Camiguin dahil hindi tinanggap ng bebe mo ang posisyon." Pershik informed me.

"Ano? Tatanggapin mo? Sige na wag ka ng oa tanggapin mo na." Ungot niya ulit.

"Oo na."

I went home to Camiguin and since my parents moved to Cagayan de Oro back in my college days, ang bahay namin dito sa Camiguin ay hindi na masyadong maayos.

I stayed in the Sellas mansion when the head of their family heard about me.

I tried to move a pawn on her but she is a queen guarding her pieces.

I keep advancing my soldiers but her strategy was too strong to win over.

I am already losing the fight but I want to be her king. So I fought even though I only have one soldier left.

Love.